Zur Karriere von Lã João Rosa

After graduating from the University of Lisbon (finances) I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970. 1969-70 Adviser to the Minister of Economy and Finance. 1970 Embassy Attaché, 1972 third secretary of Embassy, 1974 Embassy in Bern, member of the Portuguese Delegation to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Geneva), 1974 Embassy in Rabat (second secretary), 1978 first secretary (and Chargé d' Affairs ad interim) at the Embassy in Caracas. 1981 Head of the Communications Department and Head of the staff to the secretary-general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. October 13, 1982 Counsellor, 1983 Embassy in Brussels and Permanent Mission to the European Economic Community. The time from 1983-86 was important, I was in Brussels during the negotiations about the accession of Portugal to EECC Europe Union. 1989 Deputy Chief of the Mission in Washington and Deputy Representative to the Organisation of American States. In 1993 I became accredited as Ambassador in Guinea Bissau. This was a most important step. I moved from the USA to one of the poorest country in the world. There were difficulties with running water, and electricity power. Nevertheless I enjoyed this time, because I learned what is really important in life and I learned to go back to my roots as a human being. I could really help the people in this country. In 1994 I came back to Portugal as Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister. This was the next important step. I got to know a lot of important people and learned to make decisions of highest importance, which has to be done very carefully because of the complexity of such decisions. 1995 Ambassador in The Hague, Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, since June 1999 Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, permanent Representative to the International Organisation in Vienna.

Zum Erfolg von Lã João Rosa

What is your definition of success? Success has many shades, it is not static, but the perception of success may change in a lifetime as well as the personal targets. When you are young you want to get to the top. Now this is not as important to me as being satisfied.
Do you think you are successful? I feel successful. I am happy with myself and I have three wonderful children. I felt most successful in Bissau, because I could be helpful to the people there. The fundamental principles in diplomacy are being generous, dedicating yourself to other people, loving and understanding the country where you are and feeling integrated. Understanding the language is important to communicate. Being strong and having a strong family is essential if you are exposed to excessive travelling. Especially for children it is frustrating to move away and lose their friends. But I think it was still a good experience for my children, because they now speak several languages. 50 percent of my success is due to the family.
How do others see you? As an ambassador you are considered important, but we are humans like anybody else. Most important for diplomats is not to confuse personality and function. You should not take yourself too seriously, you should stay the distance to your function in order to be self-critical.
What is the reason for your success? Knowledge, being well prepared for your duty, being interested in what's going on in the world and in your country. I have to represent my country. So I am a patriot as well as an idealist. It is hard work. You are on duty 24 hours a day. You must have yourself under control all the time. Never lie - even if people think diplomats have to lie - but explain your point of view in a polite way. You also need flexibility, understanding for other people and you must be open-minded. You should be able to enjoy life everywhere.
What makes your specific success? Working and feeling good in my job.
What's the role of your family? The family makes half of my success. In diplomacy you cannot live where your roots and your friends are. Every four years you have to move to another place and change all your life. So the family gives you the necessary stability.
What's the role of your staff? I do not believe in success without a team. Without my team i cannot carry out my job - my staff support me in the same as I had supported my former ambassadors.
Do you know defeats? Yes, a lot. The richest moments in life are defeats, because you can learn from them. Defeats are important to get distance and to control yourself. A back-stroke is when you miss your goals, because your arguments have not been strong enough or you have misjudged a situation. In the diplomatic career you have to be strong and have to learn to overcome defeats by self-confidence and even harder work.
Where do you get your power from? From my family.
Your goals? Earlier it was important for me to become Ambassador and I always wanted to be in important countries. Nowadays my main goals are to represent my country in the best manner and to enjoy my life. My aim is to be happy with myself, enjoy life with my family and take opportunities to learn about the nice sides of life. In Vienna I enjoy music, in the Netherlands I had the chance to get to know the Dutch painters.
Have you received appreciation? Of course. But most of the appreciation I receive is for the country, not for the ambassador. If I get the highest decoration from the Dutch Queen it is for Portugal, not for Mister Rosa La. Therefore decorations are not that important for me.
Your motto? Always remaining true to my principles and trying to get better. I am demanding and I demand most from myself. I am the first and the last in the office.
Do you have idols? A soccer-player when I was a child.

Study about Kongo/Brazzaville, various articles.