Amassing new information - the first task of beginner diplomat
Johanna Lukkarila hopes to see the world in her new career
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By Mika Vähämaa
It takes more than a diplomatic personality to become a diplomat. Johanna Lukkarila, 27, lists the characteristics that are needed for new civil servants hired by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
"You have to know at least four languages, and pass a four-part examination, which includes psychological tests and tests on general knowledge. Previous experience in international work and an appropriate university degree are also necessary."
Of the 900 applicants, about a third are eliminated on the basis of the general knowledge test. Of the remaining applicants, just 30 were chosen for a training course for international missions. The average age of last year’s successful applicants was around 30.
"There are many different kinds of personalities within the group, but naturally all are united by international work experience and linguistic skill", Lukkarila says. Like Lukkarila, most beginning civil servants have either a degree in social sciences or experience in working abroad.
"There are some exotic backgrounds among the group. Some speak African languages, and others know Asian languages." In addition to Finnish and Swedish, Lukkarila speaks English and French, and a bit of German and Spanish.
The new civil servants chosen in the annual application process of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs start out as aides in various units. Lukkarila works in the Department for Global Affairs. Along with a senior civil servant she deals with issues related to development and trade questions. The goal is to help developing countries benefit from the global trade system.
Lukkarila’s work includes drafting agreements, ratifying international treaties, planning and following up on projects, overall coordination, and maintaining contact with international organisations.
She wanted a career as an international civil servant, because she is intrigued by questions linked with the European Union, development cooperation, international politics, and finances. Lukkarila got a full dose of information about Finland’s policy and its contribution to international politics at courses arranged for new civil servants.
"Specialists in various fields told us about Finland’s contribution to different international projects on the one hand, as well as issues of Finnish domestic policy and administration. We had to learn vast amounts of material, and it would have been impossible to absorb everything, even if we had read the whole time.
Those taking part in the course were chosen to be future Finnish representatives in different parts of the world, and Lukkarila is willing to go out into the world to do just that.
Usually people are sent to Finnish diplomatic missions abroad for periods of three years each. Therefore, diplomats do not get to stay in any one place for a very long time.
"I hope to get to see the world and take part in challenging tasks."
"My husband and I have been through this quite thoroughly, and he takes a positive view of living abroad, and if we have children some day, the career of a diplomat will have some influence on their lives."
Lukkarila hopes that in the future she will be ranked among the experienced group of civil servants that she has come to know at the Foreign Ministry.
"These people seem to know what is happening around the world. They have many interesting stories to tell."
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 17.8.2004
MIIKA VÄHÄMAA / Helsingin Sanomat
miika.vahamaa@sanoma.fi
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| 24.8.2004 - THIS WEEK |
 Amassing new information - the first task of beginner diplomat |
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