Diplomacy Masterclass with Laurent Parenté: A Student Reflection - Manya Pasricha

The King’s College London Diplomacy Society recently hosted an exclusive masterclass with Laurent Parenté, Director of the International Maritime Satellite Organization and former Permanent Representative of Vanuatu at the International Maritime Organization. The session felt less like a formal lecture and more like stepping into the lived reality of an international diplomat navigating a world shaped by politics, technology, and personal sacrifice.

From the moment Laurent began speaking, it was clear that his path had been anything but conventional. He moved from studying law for five years to becoming one of the youngest ambassadors at twenty-eight. He attributed much of this journey to being in the right place with the right people, yet he stressed that opportunity means very little without confidence and commitment. At one point he remarked, “Never be ashamed of not knowing. What matters is the confidence to learn and keep moving forward”, a message that resonated strongly with students who often feel pressured to have everything figured out in advance. His encouragement to never be ashamed of not knowing resonated strongly with students. It illustrated how he tackled roles in fields where he initially lacked technical knowledge, particularly in maritime law, by approaching every challenge with curiosity and discipline. Laurent’s reflections on leadership felt refreshingly grounded. He spoke openly about the influence of his father-in-law,whose adventurous spirit shaped his own leadership style. Throughout the discussion, he returned to the idea that leadership in diplomacy rests on honesty, ownership of one’s decisions, and resilience when facing criticism or political pressure. His account of securing Vanuatu a seat on the IMO Council captured this vividly. With only the smallest GDP and population among competitors, he undertook eighteen months of determined campaigning. Through conversations, visibility, and sustained follow up, he helped secure Vanuatu a place alongside much larger nations. This achievement demonstrated the power of individual agency in settings that often appear dominated by structural inequalities.

H.E. Laurent Paranté (left) and our Society president Lauren (right)

His candour about failure was equally striking. He described his unsuccessful bid to chair the IMO Council, where early promises of support failed to materialise. The story highlighted the unpredictability of diplomatic politics and the need to recover quickly when alliances shift. These moments of vulnerability made his insights feel more relatable and grounded, offering students a realistic picture of the personal challenges behind diplomatic titles. The discussion shifted naturally into the human cost of diplomacy. Constant travel, demanding schedules, and long periods away from family formed a recurring theme in Laurent’s reflections. He spoke with evident emotion about missing key personal moments, including being absent during his wife’s surgery, and acknowledged the guilt that accompanied such absences. When discussing the pressure and vulnerability that come with demanding roles, he reminded the room, “You will fail badly sometimes. Accept it. You get up the next morning and continue. It is only work.” The clarity of that message stayed with many of us and offered a grounded understanding of the resilience required in international careers. He also reflected on the social nature of diplomatic work, where receptions and informal gatherings function as extensions of negotiations and networking.

Laurent then widened the lens to consider the future of international organisations. He offered a frank assessment of their slow decision-making processes, which struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancement. His concern about outdated maritime communication systems and the absence of a binding global framework for AI regulation underscored a growing gap between organisational capabilities and industry innovation. With satellite numbers expected to rise dramatically in the coming years, he emphasised that space law and satellite communication are becoming essential fields for future diplomats.

For students interested in entering organisations like the UN, Laurent provided practical advice. He highlighted the slow progression of early career stages and encouraged students to be persistent, confident, and visible. He also emphasised the value of exploring opportunities with smaller or emerging countries, where unconventional pathways may lead to greater responsibility and faster advancement. Language skills, cultural awareness, and preparation before meeting delegates were presented as indispensable tools for building influence.

As the session drew to a close, Laurent reflected on his own career with a sense of gratitude rather than regret. Representing a small state allowed him to make contributions that would have been far less likely within a more traditional trajectory. His long-term vision centres on mentoring others, driven by the belief that committed individuals can still shape outcomes in complex international systems.

For students at King’s, this masterclass offered much more than a glimpse into maritime and space diplomacy. It provided an honest reflection on leadership, sacrifice, and the evolving challenges facing international organisations. Most of all, it reminded us that diplomacy is a field shaped by people who are willing to step forward, learn continuously, and navigate uncertainty with confidence and integrity.