“Exchange and dialogue are the heart and soul of diplomacy”
Originally you began your career as an economist before moving into the diplomatic service. How did your diplomatic career start? What made you want to pursue foreign policy?
Ambassador Dahinden: I began my professional career at a bank and a publishing house. Throughout my career as a diplomat, I have benefited from my experience in the private sector. Being a diplomat is more than being an expert in international relations. But my reason for entering the Swiss diplomatic service was my fascination with foreign countries and cultures, and my fascination with the broad range of topics you find in diplomacy. After all, it is not too surprising for a Swiss to go abroad since Switzerland is one of the most globalized nations, earning half of its GDP outside of its own borders.
What do you see as one of the unique challenges you’ve faced during your career? What about a unique benefit?
Ambassador Dahinden: Perhaps my biggest professional challenge was to fundamentally change Swiss humanitarian aid and development cooperation after I was appointed head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Swiss equivalent of USAID. Beforehand we had a portfolio of projects, and then we started to define and implement broader strategic objectives in areas like climate change, migration, and food security. The second turnaround was to focus our work much more on conflict and fragility. Our very good review by the OECD later on was a reward and professional highlight. On a more personal note, throughout my career I have benefited from countless personal exchanges and friendships.
In a quote to Foreign Policy, you described Switzerland’s diplomatic culture as “not working well when you’re at the forefront. You need to work in a very discreet way.” What then, do you think makes a diplomat a good diplomat and why?
Ambassador Dahinden: The quote referred to Swiss diplomacy’s role during the Cold War. It referred to our mandate as the protecting power for the United States in Cuba and Iran. A good diplomat is convinced that problems can be solved through negotiations, and he has the necessary skills to make it happen.
Your current mandate is to promote exchange between Switzerland and the US in a number of fields. As you and your predecessors have been active members of our Diplomatic Advisory Council, could you elaborate on why you support international legislative exchanges and dialogues?
Ambassador Dahinden: Exchange and dialogue are the heart and soul of diplomacy. They are a source for information and a gateway for understanding others. Talking to people helps to make you understood; it helps to change misperceptions and discover opportunities for common action. This role cannot be underestimated.
Legislative exchanges in particular give policymakers and key stakeholders valuable opportunities to interact with counterparts from another country. Through such dialogue, participants can gain firsthand knowledge of a new culture and recognize shared challenges where they exist. The development of policy is better served when those crafting it have a truly global view.
You’ve been involved with a number of highly regarded organizations throughout your career working on a variety of issues. What are your current projects and priorities for your tenure in Washington, DC?
Ambassador Dahinden: Switzerland has a big footprint in the United States. It is the 6th largest investor. Swiss companies not only directly create nearly half a million U.S. jobs, they are also especially active in manufacturing and significantly outspend the affiliates of all other countries in research and development.
Although our two countries are very different, we have very good relations in the economic, scientific and political areas. And precisely because our two countries are different, there is a big potential for developing our relations. Even occasional discord, which happens in all close relationships, changes nothing about that.
I see my role in promoting opportunities for cooperation in the economic and scientific areas and beyond. The values we share as Sister Republics provide a solid foundation for cooperating to promote freedom and democracy, the rule of law, free market economy, and human rights.
The Congressional Study Groups are honored to have Ambassador Martin Dahinden as a member of the Diplomatic Advisory Council (DAC) — a group of Ambassadors in Washington, DC dedicated to international legislative dialogue and exchange who participate in our programming and serve as a direct link to our partners in national capitals abroad. Membership in the DAC is renewed with the arrival of each new Chief of Mission, and we are grateful for the continued support of the Embassy of Switzerland.
Written with support from Tappan Parker.
