Our Programmes
Training. Dialogue. Research. Global Impact
Programmes for every stage of an international career
From a first week inside the institutions of diplomacy to specialist training for serving officials, every GDF programme brings different generations and countries into the same room.
Young Diplomats Forum
Five days of briefings, negotiations and institutional visits for delegates under 30.
Read moreCareer in International Affairs Forum
Meet recruiters and practitioners from diplomatic services, international organisations and NGOs.
Read moreGDF Academy
Self-paced online courses with a certificate on completion, in four languages.
Read moreMembership
A resource library, live webinars and discounts on GDF events and courses.
Read moreGlobal Diplomacy Awards
A new annual awards for outstanding work in diplomacy.
Read more
Young Diplomats Forum
A five-day programme for delegates under 30. You practise diplomacy alongside peers from around the world: briefings from serving ambassadors, policy workshops, a negotiation exercise and visits inside the institutions you study.
- Editions held
- 26
- Alumni
- 2,500+
- Countries represented
- 180+
- Programme length
- 5 days
Briefings
Sessions led by serving and former diplomats, with time to question them directly.
Policy workshops
Work in small teams to draft and present a policy brief on a live international issue.
Institutional visits
Sessions held inside ministries, parliaments and international organisations in the host city.
Past editions have been held in London, Brussels, Washington DC, Beijing, Riga and Kuala Lumpur, with support from partners including Johns Hopkins SAIS, the Government of Flanders and Schwarzman Scholars.
“I consider my time in Latvia and Malaysia as important as many of my graduate-level courses in university.”Brock Mays, YDF Riga 2017 and Kuala Lumpur 2018. More from our alumni
Career in International Affairs Forum
Two days for students, graduates and early-career professionals to meet the people who hire in diplomacy, development, security and policy.
Panels
Speakers from foreign ministries, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks and the private sector explain how they got there.
Networking
Time with recruiters and practitioners to ask the questions that job adverts don't answer.
Career pathways
A clear picture of the routes in, from graduate schemes to specialist roles.
GDF Academy
Self-paced online courses in diplomacy, foreign policy, international law and global affairs. Study in English, French, Arabic or Spanish, take up to 12 months per course, and receive a GDF certificate on completion.
- Online courses
- 30+
- Languages
- 4
- Courses from
- £95
- On completion
- Certificate
Single courses
Choose one course and study it at your own pace.
Course bundles
Four related courses on one theme, from great-power politics to diplomatic communications.
Annual access
Every course for a year, including new courses as they launch.
Membership
Join a community of diplomats, students and practitioners for £9.99 a month or £95.88 a year. Cancel any time.
Resource library
Articles, reports, podcasts and recordings of past GDF events.
Live webinars
Including The Asian Century in Motion, a monthly series from October 2026 to July 2027.
Member discounts
Reduced rates on GDF events and Academy courses.
Global Diplomacy Awards
The first edition of a new annual awards, recognising the people and institutions doing outstanding work in diplomacy. Nominations open in 2027.