- Define soft power and its role in contemporary diplomacy.
- Analyze the strategic value of cultural exchange and engagement.
- Design programs that promote national values and mutual understanding.
- Evaluate public diplomacy tools such as arts, education, and sports.
- Assess the effectiveness of global cultural diplomacy campaigns.
- Coordinate cultural initiatives with embassies and ministries.
- Align cultural programming with broader diplomatic strategy.
- Measure cultural perception and influence in global affairs.
- Foster inclusive, respectful intercultural dialogue and outreach.
- Develop a national soft power strategy for international engagement.
Course Description: This course explores how culture is used as a strategic tool in diplomacy to build influence, foster mutual understanding, and advance foreign policy goals. Participants will examine cultural diplomacy initiatives, global branding, soft power theory, and the design of programs that promote national image and cross-cultural dialogue. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:
Course Description: This course focuses on the intersection of diplomacy and sustainable development. Participants will examine how diplomats engage with global development goals, aid policy, and multilateral funding mechanisms. Students will learn to design development strategies, manage partnerships, and measure diplomatic impact in support of international development outcomes. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define the role of diplomacy in advancing global development goals.
- Analyze development challenges and foreign policy alignment.
- Design aid and development strategies using evidence-based tools.
- Engage with international financial institutions and multilateral donors.
- Foster inclusive partnerships with civil society and host governments.
- Assess the impact of development assistance and project diplomacy.
- Communicate development priorities across international platforms.
- Negotiate funding proposals and cooperation agreements.
- Apply monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks.
- Create a development-focused diplomatic engagement strategy.
Course Description: This immersive course places participants in the center of real-time diplomatic challenges where they must lead, respond, and adapt to dynamic global events. Learners will engage in intensive simulations, rapid policy formation, and multilateral negotiation. The lab emphasizes agility, collaboration, decision-making under pressure, and cross-sector coordination to build confidence in managing high-stakes international situations. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Demonstrate leadership in simulated global diplomatic crises.
- Adapt to rapidly evolving events and incomplete information.
- Coordinate interagency and cross-sector responses.
- Communicate diplomatically with public, media, and allies.
- Develop policy responses under time constraints.
- Engage in multilateral negotiations and alliance formation.
- Apply foresight, ethics, and conflict resolution in real-time.
- Debrief and analyze decisions for learning and refinement.
- Utilize digital tools to manage and track crisis scenarios.
- Create a personal action playbook for future real-world challenges.
Course Description: This course introduces economic forecasting tools and their strategic application in foreign policy planning. Participants will learn to interpret macroeconomic trends, assess regional risks, and integrate economic projections into diplomatic strategy. The course emphasizes scenario analysis, modeling basics, and real-world data to support resilient, forward-looking policy decisions. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define economic forecasting and its value in foreign policy planning.
- Interpret key economic indicators relevant to global affairs.
- Assess short- and long-term trends in macroeconomic data.
- Analyze country and regional economic risks.
- Use scenario analysis for planning under uncertainty.
- Communicate forecasts in policy briefs and diplomatic messaging.
- Evaluate the reliability and limitations of economic projections.
- Integrate forecasts into multilateral or bilateral strategic planning.
- Design economic dashboards for diplomatic missions.
- Create a forecasting-informed policy strategy for a global issue.
Course Description: This course prepares diplomats to effectively manage media engagement and communication during crises. Participants will explore strategies for public messaging, press relations, digital narratives, and reputational risk management. Through media training and simulations, learners will build the confidence and competence needed to navigate high-pressure situations with clarity, credibility, and composure. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define the principles of media relations and public diplomacy.
- Develop communication strategies aligned with diplomatic objectives.
- Craft clear, concise, and compelling messages for diverse audiences.
- Engage confidently with journalists, broadcasters, and influencers.
- Manage media relations during crises, scandals, or emergencies.
- Use social media platforms responsibly and strategically.
- Prepare and deliver press briefings and interviews effectively.
- Monitor, analyze, and respond to media narratives in real time.
- Mitigate reputational risks through strategic communications.
- Design a mission-level media and crisis communication plan.
Course Description: This course explores how diplomats collaborate with non-governmental organizations, private corporations, and multilateral partners to solve complex global problems. Participants will learn tools to build public-private partnerships, foster stakeholder trust, and align foreign policy objectives with corporate responsibility and civil society innovation. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define cross-sector diplomacy and its relevance in global affairs.
- Analyze stakeholder roles in international partnerships and diplomacy.
- Evaluate models for public-private and multistakeholder collaboration.
- Develop engagement strategies for NGOs and corporate partners.
- Assess corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its alignment with diplomacy.
- Mitigate risks and manage expectations in diverse stakeholder settings.
- Facilitate consensus and cooperation in high-complexity environments.
- Negotiate partnership agreements and diplomatic memoranda of understanding.
- Monitor and evaluate impact across sectors and policy outcomes.
- Design a strategic cross-sector engagement plan for a foreign mission.
Course Description: This course prepares diplomats and policy professionals to serve as strategic advisors to government leaders and ministries. Participants will explore tools for policy design, foresight, systems thinking, and agile governance. Through simulations and innovation labs, students will learn to generate solutions, navigate institutional dynamics, and support bold, forward-thinking policymaking. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define the role of strategic advisors in foreign and domestic policy innovation.
- Analyze institutional challenges and opportunities for public sector reform.
- Apply design thinking and agile methods to diplomatic and policy issues.
- Use strategic foresight tools to shape long-term advisory guidance.
- Develop effective briefing notes, memos, and advisory documents.
- Navigate political, bureaucratic, and inter-ministerial dynamics.
- Foster collaborative leadership and cross-sector consultation.
- Communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to senior leaders.
- Measure and evaluate policy impact and innovation outcomes.
- Design a policy advisory strategy aligned with national goals.
Course Description: This course prepares diplomats and foreign policy professionals to lead embassies, consulates, and international missions. Participants will explore management strategies, interagency coordination, security planning, personnel development, and strategic leadership of country teams. Through case studies and simulations, learners will strengthen their capacity to represent national interests while managing high-functioning, cross-cultural teams. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define the structure and mandate of diplomatic missions and country teams.
- Evaluate leadership roles and responsibilities of heads of mission.
- Apply strategic planning and visioning tools to mission operations.
- Manage personnel, budgets, and security with transparency and accountability.
- Foster interagency coordination and shared mission performance.
- Support morale, inclusion, and performance across diverse teams.
- Navigate crises, threats, and political transitions effectively.
- Lead public outreach and high-level representation for the mission.
- Coordinate policy messaging and bilateral or multilateral engagement.
- Develop a leadership plan for managing a country team in a complex environment.
Course Description: This course explores the evolving role of women in global diplomacy and leadership. It highlights contributions, challenges, and transformational leadership strategies of women in foreign policy. Through historical analysis, mentorship models, and gender-responsive frameworks, participants will gain skills to lead with equity, build inclusive teams, and promote gender-informed diplomacy. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Trace the historical contributions of women in international diplomacy.
- Identify gender-based barriers and pathways to leadership.
- Evaluate global policy frameworks for gender equality in diplomacy.
- Apply gender analysis to foreign policy formulation and implementation.
- Explore inclusive leadership styles and mentorship approaches.
- Develop strategies to advance women’s participation in diplomacy.
- Create a gender-sensitive diplomatic team or program plan.
- Engage in peer coaching and collaborative leadership models.
- Assess intersectionality and diverse leadership experiences.
- Design a leadership impact plan to support women in foreign service.
Course Description: This course develops high-level leadership skills tailored for foreign policy makers and international decision-makers. Participants will explore strategic visioning, interagency coordination, adaptive leadership, and influence-building across complex global systems. The course emphasizes ethical leadership, cross-cultural intelligence, and negotiation for systemic change in global affairs. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define key principles of leadership in global governance and foreign affairs.
- Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of foreign policy leadership.
- Develop a vision and strategy for leading diplomatic missions.
- Apply decision-making models under uncertainty and risk.
- Foster interagency and international collaboration on shared goals.
- Strengthen emotional intelligence and resilience in high-stakes environments.
- Communicate effectively across cultural, ideological, and institutional divides.
- Leverage diplomacy as a leadership tool in crisis and transition.
- Empower teams and build inclusive leadership capacity.
- Develop a personal leadership action plan for global policy impact.