Closing Address: May 2025
This has been a very eventful four months, to say the least. We have had our hands full dealing with the twists and turns of the game, and if nothing else we can be proud of the fact we came out alright on the other side. To end a three-year relationship with a historical rival, in the wake of scandal and betrayal, and still do so civilly and on good terms, is remarkable. To have taken a wrong turn and hurt valued allies and to come around and strengthen our bonds with them so that they are stronger than they were before the incident, is amazing. We recovered our old friends in the MGC, secured a new alliance with The Outback, have seen historic participation in the biggest liberation effort in history, and we have laid the groundwork for the most promising FA education program in years, in our new FA digest.
I certainly hope this is all the beginning of more great things. As always, when I find myself in this role, I have to look back at the latest attempts to reform the ministry and wonder where things went wrong and where they went right. Not having the traditional diplomatic postings, in my view, did not have material impact on our relations or communication with other regions. The alternative, of having staffers standing by and able to engage behind the scenes, needed a lot more practice and polishing. Unlike some I am not willing to say the experiment was a total failure, but I did see that many prospective staffers still seek that kind of entry-level work, and have no further aspirations. There is a way to engage them with other things, if they choose to join the staff regardless, but they admittedly probably didn't have as many opportunities to be included, given how much was on our plate and how quickly we moved at times. The FA Digest can certainly bridge some of that gap, but it has to be more regular and we have to establish a pattern with it. That still has to happen, and I hope the next administration can carry that work forward so that we have a foundation to build on, rather than once again throw it out and try something else as we so often do.
The game is in flux, the old order has shifted, and the lines connecting our friends and neighbors have been flickering and taking new shapes. We are entering a crucial period where we must adapt even as we ensure our existing relationships remain solid wherever possible. There's been upheaval and surprises and revelations that have deeply undermined trust, not just in certain regions, but honestly in our ability to take the trust we had in others for granted. We have to be more alert, and when the time comes, more willing to push back and walk away if that's what's needed. Alliances that stood for a decade have already ended, and alliances even older than that, with parties once thought inseparable, have shattered in a big way. We cannot ever assume there is an untouchable alliance, or a relationship that cannot be broken. Our recent history has shown us this, the last month has shown us this. We have to be ready for anything in this arena, even if right now we feel that we are on solid footing. And as we refocus in the term ahead, and the delegate focuses instead on internal matters, we have to make sure we keep an eye overseas. The next big shoe could be about to drop, and we need to be ready.
I am proud of the team that helped us do our important work this term. I believe in the committee we have in place, and feel we'll be in good hands whatever comes next. We must continue to give our people the knowledge and the tools to succeed, so that we have these watchers on the walls ready to go no matter what comes, and no matter how far in the future it happens. I believe we have started that work in a very real way, and I hope we can continue building on it. I will be there even if not in this particular capacity, and I continue to see good things and good prospects ahead for us. Thank you for indulging me in this role once again, and while I hope we continue to live in interesting times, I hope that they're a little less interesting in some important ways. See you around.
-Pallaith