Courage key for diplomacy, serial adventurer tells UAE students

The first Lebanese person to climb Mount Everest, Maxime Chaya, was speaking to a group of students at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy about how his courage in the face of adversity could benefit them on their own personal quest.

Adventurer Maxime Chaya told students of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy that courage would play a key role in their futures. Anwar Amro / AFP Photo

ABU DHABI // Aspiring UAE diplomats were told that courage would play a key role in their future.

“Courage is a long journey, not a final destination,” adventurer Maxime Chaya told a group of students at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy.

The 54-year-old, who is a graduate of the London School of Economics, has climbed Kilimanjaro, Mount Everest and plans to cycle from the UAE to Salalah in November, reminded his audience: “There’s so much work to be done in diplomacy in the region”.

Mr Chaya spoke to qualified and aspiring diplomats about the link between courage in his adventures and diplomacy.

Mr Chaya is the first Lebanese to climb Everest.

“I am sure they will all be great diplomats and politicians. When you’re passionate, you will be the best you can be at it.”

During his lecture, he shared memories from his expeditions – one of which included rowing for 57 days across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius.

“After winning a mountain bike race in Africa, I was invited to climb Kilimanjaro and I challenged myself to climb the seven summits. I did it to prove to myself that, had I been given the chance, I could have been a professional athlete,” he said.

Mr Chaya is working on a comic strip series about his adventures with the aim of inspiring the youths of the region to achieve their full potential, regardless of the political, economic and social situation.

“Many countries in the region are undergoing a lot of transformations and diplomats work to improve the lives and welfare of people around them,” he said.

For Abdullah Al Reyami, a 25-year-old Emirati graduate in political science and economics, the lecture was beneficial.

“I learnt about tactics, methods, preparation and choosing and building a trust bond with your team,” he said.

“A lot of people in a lot of countries don’t know the exact geography of the Middle East and they don’t know how to differentiate between states. This shaped my way of thinking during my studies.”

Rougha Raei Alboom, a 24-year-old Emirati graduate in international relations who works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, found the lecture essential to her line of work.

“Courage in diplomacy is needed in decision-making times and when faced with instability,” she said.

Mr Chaya said he hoped the UAE would continue to play an important role in regional diplomacy.

“Forty years ago, there was nothing and look what they’ve done. I only wish the leaders of my country would learn from that and I would like the UAE to play a role in this.”

*This article has been amended based on incorrect information supplied.