Jamaican honorary consuls are much appreciated by some of their government officials, who recognize that these consuls will “serve its economic and political interests globally.” As a particular example from the publication I read, Dr. Richard Bernal, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the U.S. is mentioned for his two-day seminars where honorary consuls are briefed on Jamaican economic and political interests.

I also liked the reference to the (Jamaican) “diaspora” that often needs services of their consuls in other countries. How true that the foreign consuls in the United States are called on to help their own citizens, regardless of the country they represent, or whether they are in an honorary or career position.

Sadly, the story I read also notes that some career diplomats look at honorary consuls as “inferior and indeed second-class representatives.” Students of the consular institution know that while we sometimes hear about these feelings, the Vienna Convention of Consular Relations does not make a distinction between the functions performed by career or honorary consuls. In that regard, both serve in a very honorable position where they deserve all the respect we can muster.