Proactivity and Diplomatic Activity
After organizing Ramadan Joint Solidarity Action, I have come to realize the importance of applying Stephen Covey’s first habit, “be proactive,” while carrying out a diplomatic activity.
Beginning of March 2024
I was in my Ambassador’s office room. Discussing the annual agenda for the function I’m responsible for — the Media and Socio-Culture Affairs.
One event we discussed was our regular event held during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“I think we need to organize this event again in 2024”, the Ambassador said.
She, then, continued, “But we need to invite more Embassies from Muslim-majority countries to participate in this event.”
It was a great idea. Inviting more participating Embassies would have a more significant impact.
Not only for the benefit of the Islamic Community in Zagreb, which is the targeted audience but also to strengthen the relations between Embassies of Muslim-majority countries in Croatia.
Without further question, I jotted down some notes in my notebook regarding that directive.
“Roger, Bu,” I replied.
Since the moment we decided to organize the Ramadan Joint Solidarity Action with more participating Embassies this year, My Ambassador and I were working on a daily basis to prepare the event.
My Ambassador utilized every opportunity to share her initiative with other Ambassadors from Embassies of Muslim-majority countries, mainly through informal meetings on the sidelines of diplomatic receptions she attended.
On the other hand, I followed up on her directive to contact the technical level of Embassies of Muslim-majority countries who were willing to participate in the event.
As the event initiator, we started the preparation by hosting a lunch meeting with the representatives from Embassies of Muslim-majority countries in Croatia.
There, I explained the initiative that we had and shared the previous joint solidarity action, which the Indonesian and Malaysian Embassy organized successfully in 2023, with the support of the Meshihat of Islamic Community in Croatia (an Islamic organization responsible for organizing Islamic-related activities in Croatia and led by Mufti — as the highest leader).
After the meeting, I became a contact point on behalf of participating Embassies to the Meshihat, mainly to discuss technical arrangements such as the tentative rundown, date, guests, protocol, logistics, etc.
Every time I got new information, I updated all the necessary info through email and a WhatsApp group I created shortly after the lunch meeting. So, the representatives from participating Embassies were well-informed.
With my colleague’s help, I designed a joint label that became our promotional material.
I visited several wholesale stores in Zagreb, to explore the possibility of ordering large quantities of staple food for the event.
I contacted several media outlets in Croatia, to discuss the possibility of broadcasting the event to promote it on a massive scale.
And on 19 March 2024, it was time for us to take a shot at our objective: organizing Ramadan Joint Solidarity Action with 6 participating Embassies.
Shortly before the event, my Ambassador had an interview with Croatian National Television (HRT) to give the event backstory, the Indonesian Embassy’s role, and the purpose of organizing the event.
Then, the event started.
Deputy Mufti and the Secretary of Meshihat officially opened the event with their remarks respectively in Croatian. Then, 3 Ambassadors, including my Ambassador, also gave remarks in English.
After that, all Ambassadors interact in person with the representative of the Islamic Community in Zagreb during the handover ceremony.
And, finally, the event was closed by the group photo session.
It was successful. Everyone’s happy. So am I, needless to say.
“Okay, now I just need to make a report, create content, and upload the press release,” I told myself with huge relief.
After finishing the report, content, and press release, I leaned on the sofa in my office room. My eyes stared at the Indonesian maps hanging on the wall. But, my mind wandered.
Contemplating. Reflecting. Questioning.
“What would have happened if my Ambassador and I had not been proactive after deciding to initiate this year’s Ramadan Joint Solidarity Action?” I asked myself.
Perhaps, the initiative might be just an idea floating around the air.
Never happens.
Like the failure to gather my old friends through the Iftar event, several years ago, because I was reluctant to be proactive in reserving a restaurant, reaching more friends, and kept persistent in realizing the event — by sparking a discussion through the WhatsApp group I created.
Organizing this year’s Ramadan Joint Solidarity Action also reminded me of the importance of being proactive in life, as Stephen Covey said in his best-selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
And diplomatic life, primarily engaging in diplomatic activity, I believe, can also be more effective by applying this proactive habit.
And proactivity, according to Stephen Covey, means more than merely taking an initiative.
Because taking the initiative alone, I believe, cannot give a tangible and concrete result, unless the initiator is willing to bear a responsibility to lead and to put one foot in front of the other.
Derian Antonio Daniswara is an Indonesian junior diplomat currently posted in Zagreb, Croatia. While most people from Indonesia call him Derian, Croatians tend to remember his name easily when he introduces himself as Antonio. He loves sports, especially football, and playing them is second nature.
