Diplomacy in the 21st Century

Online Course

Introduction to Modern Diplomacy

22nd April 2024

The Diplomacy in the 21st Century Online Course, offered by the Global Diplomatic Forum, provides a comprehensive overview of diplomacy principles and practice. The course features a blend of theoretical lectures and practical workshops and is led by world-renowned experts as well as institutional leaders who share their experience and expertise with participants.

Designed to align with the latest trends in diplomatic education, this course aims to train the next generation of diplomatic leaders to excel in the 21st-century diplomatic environment.

Participants in the online course on Diplomacy in the 21st century will gain a deeper understanding of the key aspects of diplomacy, giving them a competitive edge and the necessary foundations for success in both academic and professional pursuits.

The format of the online course on Diplomacy in the 21st Century is composed of a series of online modules, which are available to diplomats, trainee diplomats, and students. The course topics are directly relevant to diplomatic practices, providing recipients with the most current theoretical and practical knowledge in the field.

Modules

Module 1:  Introduction to Diplomacy - Principles, Practice and Actors 

1. Exploring Diplomacy: A Historical Lookback 

2. Exploring Diplomacy: Actors 

3. Exploring Diplomacy: Practices 

Module 2:  Diplomacy Legal Framework: International Law & Diplomacy and Diplomatic Immunity  

1. Diplomatic Legal Framework: Diplomatic and Consular Law 

2. The Law of Diplomatic Immunities 

Module 3:  Economic and Trade Diplomacy 

1. The Three Axes of Diplomacy 

2. International Trade Organisations 

3. Supporting Companies Abroad 

 Module 4:  Public Diplomacy, Soft Power and Smart Diplomacy 

1. Public Diplomacy Foundations 

2. Soft Power and Smart Power 

3. Smart Diplomacy : Latest trends in Diplomacy 

 Module 5: Digital Diplomacy 

1. Conceptions & Misconceptions 

2. Digital Public Diplomacy 

3. AI and Diplomacy 

Module 6:  Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette 

1. Diplomatic Communications 

2. Protocol and Etiquette 

3. Diplomatic Events 

Course Outcomes

  • Expand career advancement opportunities by acquiring the latest skills and knowledge

  • Grasp the structure of contemporary diplomacy

  • Gain an in-depth understanding of how diplomacy relates to current global affairs

  • Familiarise yourself with the current process of diplomatic work

  • Perfect the art of communicating in a diplomatic context with leaders

  • Develop versatile knowledge and abilities that are applicable to various fields

Course Outline

  1. Introduction to diplomacy, principles, practices and actors

  2. Diplomatic communications and Protocol

  3. Diplomatic legal framework: Diplomatic and consular law

  4. The law of diplomatic immunities.

  5. Economic and trade diplomacy

  6. Smart Diplomacy: Latest trends in diplomacy

  7. Digital Diplomacy and artificial intelligence

  8. Soft power and public diplomacy

  9. Multilateral diplomacy through a diplomatic Journey

  10. Career advice guest lecture

Speakers

  • Jennifer Cassidy

    Lecturer of Diplomatic Studies at Oxford University

  • Shaun Riordan

    Director Department for Diplomacy and Cyberspace in the European Institute of International Studies

  • Kathleen Jones

    A multilingual Certified International Etiquette Consultant and Cross-Culture Training Specialist

  • Dr. Corneliu Bjola

    Associate Professor and Head of the Oxford Digital Diplomacy Research Group at Oxford University

  • Professor Craig Barker

    Dean of School of Law and Social Sciences, London South Bank University

  • Younes El-Ghazi

    Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Global Diplomatic Forum

  • Professor Nicholas Cull

    Professor of the Masters in Public Diplomacy Programme, University of Southern California

Guest Speakers

Lord Hannay, Member of the House of Lord and Former UK Ambassador to the United Nations

Ted Whiteside, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and a retired Career Diplomat at the Foreign Service of Canada

Course Fees

The course fees are £295. You can also pay via PayPal or a bank transfer. Please contact us for payment details: events@gdforum.org

What People Are Saying

“Over the summer I had the privilege of completing the Global Diplomatic Forum’s course on Diplomacy in the 21st Century. I found the course to be highly informative and relevant regarding the changing nature of Diplomacy in the 21st century and the new challenges diplomats will have to face. I got to hear from some incredibly distinguished academics and diplomats, including Ted Whiteside the Former Deputy Assistant-Secretary General for Public Diplomacy at NATO. Dr Jennifer Cassidy, a lecturer of Diplomatic Studies at Oxford University, and Professor Nicholas Cull, a lecturer in the University of Southern California's Public Diplomacy Programme. I also heard from many other incredibly distinguished academics!”

— Jordan C, University of St Andrews

“The course commenced with a coverage of the core principles of diplomacy (representation, communication, negotiation) before moving on to diplomatic protocol and etiquette, diplomatic law and the law of immunities, public diplomacy, economic diplomacy and digital diplomacy.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to participate in this interactive online course, and have gained major insights into the trends and challenges of the 21st Century diplomatic environment, from world-leading experts and institutional leaders.I would like to thank the organiser, Younes El Ghazi for creating and hosting this experience. I am excited to see where my new understanding and knowledge can take me”.

— Gabrielle Richardson, Durham University

“The course was delivered by industry leaders and experts in their field. Thanks must go to Younes El Ghazi for organising the course and giving aspiring diplomats, like myself, the chance to engage with such experienced professionals.

A personal highlight of the course was the group research project exploring how technological developments and artificial intelligence are providing both new opportunities and risks to the diplomatic sector. The insights I gained will be of great benefit to my future career”

— Alex Curtis Durham University

“I’ve completed the 'Diplomacy in the 21st Century course with the Global Diplomatic Forum, receiving an average test score of 88% without any background in the subject. The course was brilliant and informative about the shifting geopolitical landscape and related career fields, especially in diplomacy. Many brilliant lecturers delivered this course.”

— Andrea Carstensen, UCL