The Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the beginning of the third millennium : pattern of change within the structure and operation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as evidence of how Malta is responding to external change

Abstract

In many countries public administration is undergoing dramatic change. But foreign services are generally not at the forefront of this movement. People working in foreign services generally do not perceive themselves as being part of public administration as they do not provide straightforward, immediately tangible service. Today, reality has caught up with foreign services as well. The need to be efficient in order to be effective is simply too evident. This Long Essay deals, in brief, with the conduct of Maltese Foreign Policy and the patterns of change within the structure and operation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1964 to the present date, as evidence of the response of the state to external change. The effects of information technology on the operation of the diplomatic service are highlighted and the need for greater transparency and information on foreign affairs to the public is acknowledged. The main focus of this Study is on human resource requirements and their satisfaction, development and training, recruitment methods of the diplomatic class, and conditions of service during the past half century, without neglecting to indicate shortcomings in the current system.