Czech Republic, despite no political experience whatsoever.

So, what exactly does it take to be an ambassador, and what do they do?

Well, in short, an ambassador, also called a diplomat, exists as a direct line for governments

to interact.

Ambassadors work and often live in foreign countries, which are referred to as their

‘host country’.

Their duties are twofold: first they act as the public face of their home country, and

represent the policies and opinions of their country’s leader.

This places a great weight on any ambassador’s shoulders, as they must navigate all situations

in their assigned country with not only the correct information from back home, but also

with all due respect and knowledge of their host country’s customs and policies.

Making a mistake, or being disrespectful reflects on the entire country, not just the diplomat

themselves, and can potentially start an international incident.

Ambassadors are also there to step in and mediate with their host country when their

home country causes any diplomatic issues.

At the same time, it is the diplomat’s duty to observe the political and social environment

and report back, so as to strengthen communication and foreign intelligence.

Any economic and political changes are often first reported by ambassadors, as they likely

have the most contextual understanding of the situation, from the perspective of both

countries.

The role of diplomats around the world is relatively universal, and was established

by The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, which also delineated the ability

of ambassadors to work in their host countries without fear of arrest or lawsuit.

This is commonly known as “diplomatic immunity”, and while they cannot be prosecuted in their

host country, they can be kicked out.

An ambassador’s life is often busy.

They’re expected to attend international meetings and conferences, or anywhere that

needs their home country’s opinion and stature represented.

Technically, this would be the role of the president, but since there are hundreds of

countries, and plenty more presidential responsibilities other than foreign relations, ambassadors

are effectively delegating this work.

Ambassadors hold chief executive positions in foreign embassies, and in charge of helping

any of their citizens when in foreign countries.

Should, say, an American citizen be arrested in another country, the US embassy, and thereby

the US ambassador, would make sure that they are treated fairly.

While it is preferred that ambassadors have prior foreign service, surprisingly, there

are no actual requirements for the position.

Famed actress Shirley Temple was made the US Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia,

less so because of her diplomatic skills, and more for the positive connotations her

presence would bring, thereby attempting to improve relations between the US and these

countries.

Roughly 30% of ambassadors in recent decades have been considered “political” choices,

given to mega-donors or friends of the president.

Former President Richard Nixon was caught on tape saying potential ambassadors must

pay a quarter of a million dollars if they want the role.

The other roughly 70% are usually career foreign service officers with considerable knowledge

and experience in the countries to which they are assigned.

In the United States, ambassadors must be confirmed by the Senate, which means that

if Donald Trump were to nominate someone clearly wrong for the position, that person could

be rejected.

But regardless who he nominates, it will be their responsibility to make sure that they

approach the role with respect and diplomacy.

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President-elect Donald Trump picked South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley as the U.S.

ambassador to the United Nations.

So how do UN ambassadors contribute to the general assembly?

How does the UN work?

Find out in this video.

There are two states in the UN, which are not actual members.

The Vatican whose government is called the Holy See and Palestine.

These are called permanent non-member observer states and while they can't vote, they are

allowed to take part in debates.

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