The World's Only Independent Practical Diplomacy School

Train Like a
Professional
Diplomat

Acquire the practical skills, judgment and confidence diplomats typically develop through years of experience.

350+

Alumni Worldwide

57

Countries Represented

16

Career Ambassadors on Faculty

1

Place to Learn Diplomatic Tradecraft

Why WIDA?

The Gap
No University
Will Fill

Academia prepares students to understand international affairs, not practice diplomacy. That's the gap WIDA was created to fill.

Learn by Doing

Move beyond theory and learn how diplomacy is actually practiced — not just how it's studied — from some of the best career diplomats in the business.

Gain Experience Without Waiting

Professional growth doesn't have to take years. WIDA accelerates that process with realistic simulations, practical exercises and instructor feedback.

Practice Before It Counts

Develop your abilities through practicing real-world scenarios in a safe environment, where the consequences aren't a matter of life and death.

Build an International Network

Study with participants from around the world and form professional relationships that extend well beyond the classroom.

Imagine
Yourself
at the Table

Representing your country.
Delivering diplomatic démarches.
Negotiating with other governments.
Managing crises.
Building international partnerships.

WIDA prepares you for the moments that define a career.

Our Programs

Choose
Your
Diplomatic
Journey

Whether you are preparing for a diplomatic career or strengthening your international leadership skills, WIDA has a program for you.

Short of actually working in diplomacy, this is the most comprehensive, in-depth and hands-on practical professional training program in diplomatic tradecraft anywhere.

This intensive program introduces undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, to careers in international diplomacy and teaches key skill sets.

This online program helps executives in both the public and private sectors who work in an international environment to sharpen their diplomacy skills.

Our custom programs help organizations build a cadre of leaders with strong diplomacy skills, strategic vision and global outlook

Our Faculty

One classroom,
16 Ambassadors

Our instructors teach the practical skills, methods, judgment and professional habits they honed at the highest levels of government over decades.

Ambassador

Kate Byrnes

Ambassador

Thomas Miller

Ambassador

Janice Jacobs

Ambassador

William Burns

Ambassador

Jimmy Kolker

Ambassador

Cindy Courville

Ambassador

Lisa Kubiske

Ambassador

Charles Ray

Our Alumni

Where
Diplomacy Skills
Can Take You

From students and recent graduates to senior executives, WIDA alumni apply practical diplomacy skills in foreign ministries, international organizations, business, nonprofits and many other fields.

“Sitting down with the ambassadors was tremendous — you get a window into the depth and breadth of their careers. To actually do it and be critiqued by people who had that experience is invaluable. You’ll get that nowhere else in the world.”
Nick Faust
United States
“WIDA offered the program that was going to give me the best insight into a career in diplomacy — and it topped all my expectations. I really felt immersed in everything foreign affairs and diplomacy. It changed my perception of things.”
Pamela Jahier
United States & Mauritius
“WIDA is an experiential immersion. Applying the fundamentals of diplomatic practice, you experience the different challenges a diplomat would run into. It will give you tools and skills that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.”
Ikenna Ezealah, Ph.D.
United States & Nigeria

Are You Ready
to Learn
Diplomatic Tradecraft?

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Diplomacy Notebook

WIDA Founder Nicholas Kralev’s Substack