attachées

Attachées is the feminine plural form of attaché, a term used in diplomacy and international relations to refer to staff members assigned to an embassy, consulate, or international mission who have specialized responsibilities. In English-language practice, attaché is commonly used as a gender-neutral form, but attachée and attachées may be used when referring specifically to female staff or to groups of female attachés.

Origin and roles

The word derives from French, where attaché means “attached” or “appointed.” Modern diplomacy developed formal roles for specialist staff in the 18th and 19th centuries, and attachés became a standard feature of diplomatic missions. Common types include cultural attaché, military attaché, economic attaché, political attaché, press or public affairs attaché, and scientific or academic attaché. Duties typically include advising the mission on their area of expertise, gathering and reporting information, representing the home government in cultural or technical exchanges, coordinating events, and assisting with liaison between host authorities and the sending country.

Appointment and training

Attachés are typically career diplomats or civil servants selected by their government’s foreign ministry or equivalent agency. They undergo training in diplomacy, language skills, and their specific field, and they serve under the authority of the ambassador or chargé d’affaires, often working in specialized sections of the mission.

Notable characteristics

Attachés emphasize expertise and frontline representation within a diplomatic mission. Their work supports policy development, cultural diplomacy, security cooperation, and international collaboration in their domains. See also: attaché, diplomatic mission, diplomacy.