Botschaft von Jamaika

Globe-M: Please tell us about your background.

Mrs. Joy Wheeler: I received a bachelor's degree in languages and social sciences, and then a masters degree in government and international relations from the University of West Indies, Kingstone, Jamaica.

I have been working for the Foreign Service all my life, in almost all policy areas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica. I have been assigned to overseas missions in the USA, in Trinidad and Tobago, France and a short-term attachment Cuba. My first posting as an ambassador is currently in Germany. I also have concurrent accreditation to several other countries in Eastern and Central Europe.

Globe-M: What differences are there between the work in Germany and in other countries?

Mrs. Joy Wheeler: I have served in various capacities, and although I enjoyed all my overseas postings, I think the most striking difference is that Berlin as a city is still developing. It has everything, from green open spaces to the various business, educational and cultural activities, providing an excellent platform for public diplomacy which affords the diplomat range of tools to promote the interests of his country and to built partnerships. Also, I think it is a wonderful time to be in this city twenty years after the fall of the wall, and to see the advancements which have taken place at different levels.