Where every generation of diplomacy meets, learns and grows.
From students and young professionals to ambassadors and ministers.
Since 2012, the Global Diplomatic Forum has opened doors to the institutions, people and opportunities that shape international careers. We are a London-based charity working with foreign ministries, parliaments and international organisations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas
Diplomacy is strongest when every generation and every sphere learn from each other, without agenda.
- Young Diplomats Forum editions
- 26
- Young people trained through YDF
- 2,500+
- Countries in our network
- ~180
- GDF Academy online courses
- 30
Jennifer Upton: Former British Diplomat & Army Officer. Speaking at the Young Diplomats Forum in London 2026
Founded 2012
Registered charity 1149226
Founded 2012 Registered charity 1149226
Our programmes have been hosted by, or delivered with:
Governments
FCDO
US Department of State
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
Government of Flanders
Egmont Palace, Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Houses of Parliament
Institutions and Foundations
Johns Hopkins SAIS
Schwarzman Scholars
CPIFA
UN Foundation
British Council
BBC
ELAQ
International organisations
NATO
European Parliament
European Commission
World Bank Group
Organization of American States
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Commonwealth Secretariat
Independent by design: no government, sponsor or agenda steers our programmes.
2,500+ YDF Alumni Worldwide
180+ Countries
30 Premium Courses
6 + World Leading Global Events A Year
Coming up
What you can join next, in date order. Past events move to their highlights pages.
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GDF AcademySee the courses
New course intake
Six self-paced courses start, including Understanding ASEAN in Global Politics, Public Diplomacy and Nation Branding, and Climate Diplomacy.
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Asian Century in Motion, members' webinarRegister as a member
The Asian Century by the Numbers
Has the centre of the world economy already moved, and by which measure? The first of ten monthly sessions.
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13th editionRegister interest
Career in International Affairs Forum
Meet recruiters and practitioners from diplomatic services, international organisations and NGOs.
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Young Diplomats Forum, 27th editionRegister interest
YDF Brussels
Five days of briefings at the European Parliament, the Commission and NATO, for delegates under 30.
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Young Diplomats Forum, 28th editionRegister interest
YDF Beijing
A week of institutional visits and sessions on China's foreign policy, trade and global engagement.
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Young Diplomats Forum, 29th editionRegister interest
YDF London
Five days with diplomats, officials and practitioners in London, for students and young professionals.
6/8 hours a week
Self paced learning
Flexible online Access
6/8 hours a week Self paced learning Flexible online Access
Students and young professionals
Spend a week inside the institutions of diplomacy with peers from around the world, plan your next step at the Career Forum, and put your policy ideas forward through the Youth Working Council.
Diplomats and practitioners
Build specialist knowledge at your own pace, and keep up to date through members' webinars and briefings.
Governments and institutions
Host a session, train a cohort of your officials, or partner with us on a forum, the Summit or the Global Diplomacy Awards.
6/8 hours a week
Self paced learning
Flexible online Access
6/8 hours a week Self paced learning Flexible online Access
Who has spoken at GDF
Foreign ministers, heads of international institutions and serving ambassadors who have addressed our delegates and members. A selection.
International institutions
- Dr Boutros Boutros-GhaliSixth Secretary-General of the United Nations. Event and year to add
- Lord Hannay of ChiswickFormer UK Permanent Representative to the UN and the EU. Event and year to add
- African UnionName and title to add
Foreign ministers
- Minister of Foreign Affairs of MoroccoName and year to add
- Minister of Foreign Affairs of CroatiaName and year to add
- Minister of Foreign Affairs of LatviaName and year to add
- Minister of Foreign Affairs of BelgiumName and year to add
- Minister of Foreign Affairs of IraqName and year to add
Government ministers
- UK Minister for the Middle East and North AfricaName and year to add
- UK Defence MinisterName, exact title and year to add
- Australian MinisterName, portfolio and year to add
- Deputy Minister, MalaysiaName, portfolio and year to add
- Rt Hon Jack StrawFormer Foreign Secretary. House of Commons roundtable, 2013
Recent speakers
- H.E. Teemu TurunenAmbassador of Finland to the UK. YDF London 2026
- H.E. Dr Desra PercayaAmbassador of Indonesia to the UK. YDF London 2026
- Professor Corneliu BjolaDiplomatic Studies, University of Oxford
- David MaenautGeneral Representative of the Government of Flanders in the UK
- Christopher PainterFormer US Coordinator for Cyber Issues. YDF, 2025
Global Diplomacy AwardsBrussels, 3 December 2027
An evening for the embassies, EU missions and NATO delegations of Brussels, honouring the year’s achievements in diplomacy. Nominations open in 2027 and are free.
GDF Academy
Self-paced courses in diplomacy and international affairs, in English, French, Arabic and Spanish, with a certificate on completion.
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Understanding ASEAN in Global Politics
How the ten ASEAN member states work together, and the bloc's growing role in trade, security and great-power competition.
£295 -
Diplomacy in the 21st Century
An overview of how modern diplomacy works and the skills needed to practise it today.
£295 -
Public Diplomacy and Nation Brand
How countries build reputation and influence abroad, from cultural programmes to digital campaigns.
£295 -
US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
How American foreign policy is made, who shapes it, and what it means for the rest of the world.
£295 -
Critical Minerals, Energy and the New Geopolitics of Resources
Energy security and the competition for critical minerals, and what they mean for foreign policy.
£295 -
Climate Diplomacy
How climate agreements are negotiated, and the alliances and trade-offs behind them.
£295
Or take any of our 30 courses with annual access: £49 a month, billed annually at £588.
Brussels · December 2027 · Celebrating the Year in Diplomacy · Inaugural Edition ·
Brussels · December 2027 · Celebrating the Year in Diplomacy · Inaugural Edition ·
As featured in
Our work has been reported by:
BBC Mundo
BBC Persian
The Jerusalem Post
Fiji Sun
Diplomatic Watch
Georgetown JournalPersia
Institutional Partners and Supporters
Put your organisation at the table
For more than a decade, governments, universities, international organisations and businesses have partnered with GDF to reach the next generation of diplomats, convene senior dialogue and build lasting international relationships. Independent by design, we shape every partnership around shared goals, not agendas.
Some of our partners and supporters have included: NATO · European Parliament · European Commission · FCDO · Houses of Parliament · Johns Hopkins SAIS · Schwarzman Scholars · Government of Flanders · Diplo Foundation · Harvard Kennedy School · Geneva Diplomacy Academy · Knight Dragon
Premium Online Diplomatic Courses
Premium Online Diplomatic Courses
From the GDF community
Armed Peace: The Middle East in 2026 and the Limits of Conflict Management.Read now
Why the Next Generation of Diplomats Must Be Entrepreneurs of Peace. Read on Linkedin
The Podium and the Algorithm: Media Exposure in Contemporary Diplomacy.Read the full article on Linkedin
Before The Hague, There Was Olympus. Read the full article on Linkedin
The Reputation Paradox: When Soft Power Meets Hard Reality. Read the full article on Linkedin
Silent Power: How Diplomatic Reports Shape Global Decisions. Read on Linkedin
Access all 30 courses with our annual plan
Access all 30 courses with our annual plan
Ready to shape the future of diplomacy?
Whether you're a student taking your first steps into international affairs or an experienced practitioner looking to deepen your network — GDF has a programme for you.