21st Century Diplomacy
The course has helped me to redefine my role as a diplomat, and to appreciate the emerging challenges and responsibilities of diplomacy today including the role of new actors like NGOs, think-tanks and academics. I have learned to appreciate other stakeholders as partners and not competitors to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the conduct of foreign relations. The weekly seminar papers done by the selected seminar teams in the class got us actively researching and exchanging information, it is amazing how much we learned from each other. This kind of networking if maintained will surely enable us achieve much more in our quest to increase knowledge and share best practises in contemporary diplomacy.
Bilateral Diplomacy
E-learning with DiploFoundation was a great experience. The innovative online sessions and contact with other students really helped to gain a wide view on the topics discussed. Despite having practised bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, I found the course informative and focussed, such as the benefits and drawbacks of both soft and hard power. This in particular proved useful in completing my understanding of how diplomacy can work at different levels.
Climate Change Diplomacy
This course is quite unique - different to other courses: it requires a serious academic work and an additional ingredient: passion for environment.Those who possess both will benefit enormously; for both components having been transmitted by the lecturers tangibly to the cyber classroom. Regardless whether this course is for your personal interests or is work-related - a multitude of issues makes the experience a very constructive learning process.
Consular Diplomacy
Indeed it was an exciting and an extraordinary experience. Diplo is giving me this golden opportunity, on reaching the age of sixty, so that instead of thinking of retiring, there is much scope in sharing acquired experiences and knowledge with other similar minded persons for mutual benefit.
Development Diplomacy
What I enjoyed most from the Diplo course [Development Diplomacy] was the fact that it opened up a window of global experiences and opinions to me through my classmates and professors, allowing me to increase my knowledge and skills at a tremendous speed and depth. It was also very important to me that the Diplo course could be combined with my work schedule…
Diplomacy of Small States
Coming from a small state with limited resources constraints, training of diplomat designates becomes a difficult task. DiploFoundation, in this regard, has provided me with the golden opportunity for which I have been yearning for as a Foreign Service Officer to further my education. I have also had the opportunity of interacting with colleagues in the global classroom, thereby making the teaching methodology within reach. The subject, Diplomacy of Small States, has further strengthened my knowledge and belief that regardless of constraints, some small states have shown their ability to project formidable foreign policy initiatives. The course has to a large extent helped to broaden my horizon at a global level, thanks to the weekly assignments from colleagues, analysing the different perspectives on how small states practice their diplomacy. I therefore, wish to encourage more Diplomats from emerging economies to capture this opportunity from DiploFoundation in their effort to strengthen their diplomatic skills.
An excellent way to consolidate existing knowledge or indeed gain new ones. The assistance of both the lecturer and the course moderator have been quite valuable and I felt that all of us interacted quite amicably with each other by also sharing our personal knowledge and life experiences. This was my very first online course with Diplo, but certainly not my last. I have enjoyed it immensely and learned so much about diplomacy's role in today's world events.
Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities
Being new to the world of Diplomatic Law made me wonder how well I would be able to follow the course. The course however was very well structured, starting with great historical background and finishing up with detailed information of every topic regarding to Privileges and Immunities, which created great understanding especially for non-practicing diplomats like me. In addition, the great interaction between the lecturer and the students as well as a realistic exam provided a practical framework to the theory learned and therefore made the course highly recommendable.
My participation in Diplo's Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunites course has been a very rewarding experience. I now have a clearer understanding of the historical development of diplomatic practice, the reasons that diplomatic agents are granted privileges and immunities and of the systems that govern these privileges and immunities. The course, as well, cleared up many misconceptions about diplomatic entitlements. I unreservedly recommend this course to professionals involved in diplomatic practice, diplomatic law or anyone else with an interest in this field of study and I guarantee that you will never regret making this investment.
Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Diplomatic Theory and Practice is an excellent introduction to the field of diplomacy, providing both a theoretical and practical framework. Diplo Foundation adopts a holistic approach to the course, and the dialogue afforded by it through online class sessions is both insightful and thought provoking. What I found particularly intriguing was the topic of negotiation as it served to not only inform me of the different stages of the negotiation process, but to also enlighten me on the different tactics used by negotiators, as well as strategies for maintaining the momentum of negotiations, something that I will no doubt use in my own negotiations-whether they are personal or work-related. Thank you Diplo Foundation for an eye-opening course on the multi-faceted nature of diplomacy and its utility in the international affairs of today.
Diplomatic Theory and Practice is an exceptional course. As a practicing diplomat, I thought this course would have been a walk in the park, but I was pleasantly surprised with the multifaceted approach to diplomacy it presented. My knowledge and skill set in diplomacy have been enriched because of this programme and I recommend it with my highest enthusiasm.
E-Diplomacy
The [E-diplomacy] course covered a broad spectrum of very interesting topics related to Information Technology. Some of them, such as IT tools for knowledge management, IT security, as well as advanced web search skills, have been very relevant to my studies and work where managing information in a digitalized environment is crucial. Anyone interested in mastering this subject may learn a lot from the lecturers’ considerable expertise.
Language and Diplomacy
Diplo's Language and Diplomacy course explores the fascinating world of intricate word plays underlying current day diplomacy. The content is stimulating and thought-provoking, not in the least due to the outstanding contributions of Dr Biljana Scott. I gained a deeper understanding of language’s complexity and creativity, and a greater appreciation of its limitations and susceptibility to misuse. I believe this course will benefit those wishing to engage in diplomacy or keen to unravel the twists and turns of spin doctors.
Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy
The Master/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy allowed me to increase my knowledge and skills at a tremendous speed and depth, while remaining in and performing stronger in my job. I was very impressed by the professional support provided by the professors and fellow students allowing for a total immersion in all aspects regarding contemporary diplomacy from different global perspectives. This programme is truly a valuable experience that provides critical skills and knowledge in a motivating environment.
Following 10 years of humanitarian work, the Postgraduate Degree in Contemporary Diplomacy proved a valuable academic complement to my professional experience and proved helpful in facilitating access to increasingly senior leadership positions.
Migration and Development
To be an expert in any field starts with a step in the right direction and this was my first. At first, I thought that this course was meant for managers and supervisors and was hesitant to apply. I gave it a thought and decided to take the challenge and am grateful that I dedicated my free time to pursue it. The information shared to us was factual and enlightening; I learnt many new things and appreciate the assistance accorded to us by our professor who was always ready to assist us. The class was diverse and fun and provided a forum for us to exchange ideas and learn about projects that other countries have. I also developed very strong networks that I treasure. This is truly the best forum for anyone interested in International Relations; learning is fun and stress free.
Multilateral Diplomacy
As someone who is not directly involved in foreign relations, this course was an eye-opener to what Multilateral Diplomacy is and what it is not. Throughout the whole course the interactions with both my colleagues and moderators was always a challenge. I would definitely recommend the course to any one interested in multilateral relations in whatever capacity be it in the public or private sector.
Multilateral Diplomacy II: Current Issues in the UN
There is no greater sense of dynamism than to explore developments as they unfold. Humanitarian aid, intervention in Libya, responsibility to protect, United Nations Security Council reform, drafting and analysis of UN documents … these are but a sample in the rich field of topical issues and practical application through which Dr Petru Dimitriu and his knowledgeable team expertly guided Multilateral Diplomacy II. I now evaluate world events with keener insight and have a wider appreciation of the gargantuan challenges in tackling global concerns.
Public Diplomacy
It's important for a diplomat to keep up to date and in touch with the academic world, but we normally don´t have time to attend classes because of our families or/and demanding jobs. I found in DiploFoundation more than a pragmatic solution; I discovered a community of people with the same interests and commitment with international affairs. The interaction within the group is enriching and it stimulates the respect of each other. Public Diplomacy used to be for me a vague concept and the course changed my point of view. Indeed I´ve adopted some ideas in my daily work. I highly recommend this course and I´m especially thankful to the tutors.
I am delighted by the way Diplo managed the Public Diplomacy course. It was my first time taking a cyber class and the experience was very rewarding. Working with such high level professionals and friendly coordinating team was a plus. It also gave me the opportunity to relate with colleagues overseas and allow me to experience working with a global team in a virtual fashion. The e-course was academically challenging and provided me with an impressive amount of useful information. The course made me reflect about the importance of the dimension of Public Diplomacy in the practice of diplomacy. I am ready to implement all those study hours in my daily work as diplomat
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Disarmament
This eight-week long online course jointly organized by GCSP of Geneva and the DiploFoundation turned out to be an immensely stimulating challenge. The lecturer succeeded in simplifying at times extremely complex concepts and in making ideas easily understandable even for those of us who were non-specialist in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament. Despite the differences in the profiles and or backgrounds of the participants (or precisely because of that) the weekly discussions in the chat room went on well. The Chatham House Rules under which the course has been organised helped the free, frank, direct and genuine exchange of ideas. I’m convinced that all the interventions have helped all of us learn something new, almost personal, about each other. This, at the end of the day, makes the real difference between an online course and a traditional and classical face-to-face non-proliferation and disarmament course.