Explore the hidden world of international diplomacy and learn key life skills
- January 10 — February 7, 2026
- Saturdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Are you a fan of the Netflix show “The Diplomat”? Did you know that its creator drew on our Executive Director Nicholas Kralev’s book “America’s Other Army” while developing the series? Now we invite you to discover how diplomacy actually works, as we separate dramatic storytelling from authentic diplomatic practice.
The Essential Diplomacy Class is the first course anywhere designed to open the hidden world of international diplomacy to the general public. Through the experience of veteran career ambassadors, the program offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the practices, forces and people driving global affairs.
With decades of experience around the world, our instructors will share insights gained from managing international relations, building trust, solving problems, preventing and defusing crises. These are the same career ambassadors who train working and aspiring diplomats in our other courses. They will help you understand the world the way diplomats do — and learn key transferrable skills that can improve your own life and work, such as empathy and the ability to advance your interests by understanding the interests of others.
The course is held live, allowing you to interact directly with our ambassadors and ask them the questions you have always wondered about. You don’t need to pursue a diplomatic career to take — and benefit from — this class.
Whether you are a fan of “The Diplomat,” curious about international affairs, or simply eager to understand the world on a deeper level, the program delivers a candid, accessible and engaging introduction to one of the most misunderstood professions.
What you will learn
- — The fundamentals of the global diplomacy system
- — How diplomacy affects your safety and wellbeing
- — The differences between bilateral and multilateral diplomacy
- — How embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions work
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— The basics of diplomatic protocol and communication
- — The differences between diplomatic and other types of negotiations
- — How to practice empathy and align the interests of others with your own
- — How to listen, write and speak like a diplomat
- — Commercial, science, health and cyber diplomacy
- — Consular affairs and diplomatic crisis management
- — Public, cultural and people-to-people diplomacy
- — The complex and tense relationship between diplomacy and spycraft