How important is an ambassador?

An ambassador is the President’s highest-ranking representative to a specific nation or international organization abroad. A key role of an ambassador is to coordinate the activities not only of the Foreign Service Officers and staff serving under him, but also representatives of other U.S. agencies in the country.

What are ambassadors in politics?

An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.

Do ambassadors represent the President?

Technically, an ambassador reports to the president, though in fact he or she does so through the secretary of state. Ambassadors are accredited as representatives from one head of government to another.

Who is the youngest U.S. ambassador?

In November of 1982 Samantha Smith, a 10-year-old girl from Manchester, Me., wrote to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov to ask if he was going to wage a nuclear war against the U.S. The following July she toured the USSR at his invitation and as a result, became known as America’s youngest goodwill ambassador.

Why is it important to have ambassadors in other countries?

One of the most important responsibilities of an ambassador is to notify their home country of any economic and political developments in the host nation. Because of their unique relationship with the host nation, ambassadors are able to help in the development of foreign policy with that nation.

What powers do Ambassadors have?

All ambassadors officially represent the U.S. government on behalf of the president in treaty negotiations, immigration discussions, foreign aid projects and humanitarian aid programs. Ambassadors supervise and lead all foreign service employees in the country where they work.

Do ambassadors speak the language?

Diplomats are required to speak two “important” languages fluently and have some knowledge of others, at least in the Spanish Foreign Service. So most Ambassadors will be fluent in English and either Spanish, French or German.

What are the advantages of having an ambassador to another country?

This means increased opportunities to sell and trade with other nations. When two nations are conducting a trade, it is usually advantageous to both parties to have an ambassador and perhaps a small staff living in the other land, where they act as an intermediary between cooperative businesses.

Does the Commonwealth of Nations have an ambassador?

Because members of the Commonwealth of Nations have or had a common head of state, they do not exchange ambassadors, but instead have High Commissioners, who represent the government, rather than the head of state. The diplomat representing the Holy See is titled a nuncio.

What happens if a foreign government refuses to approve an ambassador?

The foreign government to which an ambassador is assigned must first approve the person. In some cases, the foreign government might reverse its approval by declaring the diplomat a persona non grata, i.e. an unacceptable person. This kind of declaration usually results in recalling the ambassador to their home nation.

What is the role of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary?

The ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary being historically regarded as the personal representative of the sovereign, the custom of dispatching ambassadors to the head of state rather than the government has persisted. For example, ambassadors to and from the United Kingdom are accredited to or from the Royal Court of St James’s.