Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or nations. It usually refers to international diplomacy, the conduct of international relations through the intercession of professional diplomats with regard to issues of peace-making, culture, economics, trade and international relations. International treaties are usually negotiated by diplomats prior to endorsement by national politicians

The ability to practice diplomacy is one of the defining elements of a state, and diplomacy has been practiced since the first city-states were formed millennia ago. For the most of human history, diplomats were sent only for specific negotiations, and would return immediately after their mission concluded. Diplomats were usually relatives of the ruling family or of very high rank in order to give them legitimacy when they sought to negotiate with the other state.

The Speaker of the Senate is fourth on the Order of Precedence following the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. In this respect, the Speaker is involved in most state visits, fulfilling his ceremonial role and receiving visiting heads of state or heads of government in the Speaker's chambers, usually with other parliamentarians and officials. The Speaker interacts on a regular basis with foreign diplomats as a means of advancing Canada's relations with the world. The Speaker also travels abroad to other countries on behalf of the Canadian Parliament.

Throughout his career, Speaker Noël A. Kinsella has exhibited a keen interest in fostering the type of strong international networks that cultivate diplomacy. The Speaker established his commitment to the promotion of international understanding when he obtained degrees in both Ireland and Italy. He has continued to lecture in a number of countries, attend and present at United Nations meetings, promote university exchange programs, and participate in inter-parliamentary delegations.

Since his appointment as Speaker of the Senate, Speaker Kinsella has met with foreign diplomats from all over the world including the Prime Minister of Australia as well as the Speaker of the Shoora Council of the Republic of Yemen. On June 26, 2006, the Speaker was invited onto the floor of the United States Senate, then in session, where he was introduced and received an unprecedented welcome by the United States senators. Speaker Kinsella continues to fulfill his diplomatic duties as he remains committed to ensuring that Canada’s diplomatic relationships with all nations of the world continue to flourish.