Young Diplomats Forum

London 2025

23rd Edition of the YDF London

This 23rd edition brings us back to London following a summer of successful editions in Washington, D.C and Brussels - all delivered in partnership with Johns Hopkins SAIS, the Government of Flanders and Schwarzman Scholars.

The Young Diplomats Forum is a 5 day programme for individuals interested in a career in international affairs and diplomacy. The programme consists of engagement and sessions with international institutions, policy leadership workshops and diplomatic practice. Delegates will spend the week with their cohort from around the world. The week is filled with additional cultural events to showcase the very best of London.

This is not a simulation, it’s a real-world platform for diplomatic leadership.

YDF London Programme

Success of our Alumni

Building upon the success of our 20th editions of the Young Diplomats Forum held worldwide, we are delighted to witness our alumni assuming pivotal roles in the governments of 175 countries and international organisations such as the United Nations, WTO, EU institutions, NATO, ASEAN, the African Union, the Arab League, and others

22nd-26th September 2025

Highlights of the Week

  • Diplomacy in the 21st Century with Ambassador and leading experts at the Global Diplomats Forum

  • Exclusive sessions with Emergenetics

  • AI and Digital Diplomacy in collaboration with Oxford University 

  • A New World Order and ASEAN Place in the World Session with Ambassadors and  Leading Experts 

  • China’s Global engagement in the world Session at the Chinese Embassy in London 

  • Policy development workshop

  • U.K Public and Cultural Diplomacy at the British Council 

  • A session with the Flemish Government Representation In London On Regional Solutions for Global Challenges 

  • Cultural Tour of Greenwich

  • Team Building and Fun activities: Climbing up the O2, Crossing the Thames in Cable Car, Adventure Golf

  • Visits to the Houses of Parliament

  • Tour Visit to the House of Commons and Buckingham Palace

Programme Fees

The fees for the programme are £995. Delegates are also able to pay in instalments. Please note that accommodation and flights are not included in the fee.

There are no hidden application or processing fees.

Applications

To apply, complete the form, which includes your personal statement and current CV. Deadline for applications is 15th of September. We accept video statements and written statements.

Hear from past delegates

Behind the Scenes of a YDF

For the 1st time at the Young Diplomats Forum

We’re thrilled to announce a first-ever opportunity at the 23rd Young Diplomats Forum in London — an exclusive, immersive session led by Emergenetics®, a global leader in people development and team performance.

Trusted by governments, Fortune 500 companies, and top academic institutions, Emergenetics® empowers professionals to unlock their cognitive and behavioural strengths. Now, our YDF London delegates will be among the first to benefit from this powerful tool during the forum.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • Junior diplomats and early-career civil servants (0–5 years of experience)

  • Under the age of 30

  • Students and recent graduates in international relations, political science, or international law

  • Professionals transitioning into diplomacy or global policy roles

  • Practitioners in international affairs–related fields, including development, security, trade, or human rights

In Partnership with

Sponsors

The Global Diplomatic Forum Standard

  • The GDF stands apart through transparency, track record, and trust

  • More than 12 years of history in youth diplomacy

  • A growing global alumni of over 2,000

  • High level institutional access across the globe

  • Established partnerships with accredited global institutions

  • Strong global leadership team

  • Successful YDF events across the globe, including Turkey, USA, Belgium, UK, Malaysia, Mexico, Latvia and Croatia

Cultural Events During the Week

Delegates will climb up the 02

VIP Tour of the Houses of Parliament

Cable car trip across the Thames

Tour of Buckingham Palace

National Liberal Club

Delegates can enjoy adventure golf

Tour of Greenwich

Niamh Callinan

“Young Diplomats Forum was a fantastic experience, one that I am grateful for being able to participate in. As a very young professional, I worked incredibly hard but struggled to find a welcoming space in international affairs due to the minimal professional experience I possessed at the time. YDF presented an amazing opportunity to gain experience, meet new people and learn from those around me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way YDF was structured; with a combination of interactive sessions, cultural learning experiences, networking and project work; it really felt like I was participating in a Diplomatic programme. I have made life-long connections with other participants who I shared this experience with. 

I think participating in YDF has allowed me to rapidly progress in my professional and volunteer work. I highly recommend YDF to any young person who is interested in pursuing a career in the realm of international affairs and relations.  .”

Brock Mays

Attending the Young Diplomats Forum in 2017 (Riga, Latvia) and 2018 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) was a life-changing and crucial part of my time as a student. It gave me the opportunity to meet, collaborate, and learn with so many intelligent and talented students and experts from around the world. As it is such a multicultural group, I enjoyed being able to learn from their individual experiences and unique worldviews, particularly in the group presentations. Several of the people I met are now lifelong friends. I was surprised and pleased at how much new information about diplomacy and international relations I was able to learn during the experience. I consider my time in Latvia and Malaysia as important as many of my graduate-level courses in university. I wholeheartedly recommend to any student who has the opportunity to attend YDF!”