Text – Flor de Lis Vásquez Muñoz
The course has been a magnificent experience, which has contributed to updating my knowledge and skills in bilateral diplomatic practice. The course materials have been carefully selected and guided by an experienced lecturer, and discussions with colleagues become very fruitful and interesting. It is a comprehensive programme that provides a broad overview of the theory of international relations from the bilateral perspective, combined with topical practical examples.
– Ms Flor de Lis Vásquez Muñoz, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Mexico in Serbia
The course helps to keep young diplomats, like myself, on the cutting edge of diplomacy by honing the skills necessary for effective diplomatic functions and processes. As head of the Bilateral Division, key discussions and lectures on bilateral negotiations and intercultural communication served to not only keep me au courant with proven practices, but also with the latest developments in the field. I am now better positioned to serve my country in its interaction with countries from all across the globe.
The course, because of its quality and exhaustive content, contributes to the capacity building of all diplomats, especially those of the younger generation. Interactions with the lecturers – who are very proactive – as well as with classmates, give an insight into the diplomatic practices of many countries around the world. It was a great pleasure to take part in this course, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in interstate relations.
Since I work in the private sector with no experience in diplomatic positions, the course provided a broad understanding of bilateral diplomacy. As a mediator and negotiator, the topics of bilateral negotiation and conflict management in a diplomatic perspective and across different cultures has been very valuable and an interesting ‘add-on’ to my present skills. I also highly recommend this course to non-diplomats who have an interest in diplomacy.
The course taught me the specific genre and discourse of diplomacy which I had taken for granted over the years of service to home government, international governments, intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental agencies. The diversity of the participants was an outstanding added value. 
After more than ten years in the multilateral side of the practice of diplomacy and international relations, this course was an invaluable complement to my experience. Though challenging and intense, Amb. Rana guided us in a manner that allowed us to exchange and discuss topics and generate ideas, as well as to apply what was learnt to our real-life situations. I was particularly drawn to the myriad theories and aspects of cultural diplomacy, and the role it plays in the successful practice of diplomacy and negotiations, which provided me with new skills that are useful to my work.
I found the course an excellent tool in broadening my knowledge and understanding of diplomatic practices around the world. With participants from a variety of countries and backgrounds, I found the sharing of experiences and best practices invaluable.
The course modules cover core areas of knowledge and key skills that every diplomat working in the bilateral arena should master, such as economic diplomacy, negotiation skills, public diplomacy, and intercultural relations. The course discussions are relevant and thought-provoking, and also promote invaluable peer-to-peer learning.
The course was very comprehensive and gave participants a good foundation of diplomacy and international relations, how the two have changed over the years, and the new realities that the world now faces. The course structure is multifaceted. It promotes learning through lectures, research, group work, and discussion forums. This format forces students to delve into the course material and sharpens their analytical skills. I can affirm that my new knowledge will improve my work output. I highly recommend this course. It is suitable for a wide cross-section of professionals, including those who are new to diplomacy, as well as mid-level career personnel like myself who are looking to augment their knowledge base.
Online learning with Diplo was a great experience. The innovative online sessions and the contact with other students really helped me gain a wide view on the topics discussed. Despite having practised bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, I found the course informative and focused, covering, for example, 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.
