The last fourth module of the 24th EDP edition entitled “EU Foreign Policy in action: Promoting Europe’s interest and values in the world” took place in Brussels on 20-21 June 2024.
The event was co-organised by the Belgian Presidency and the EEAS for 70 junior diplomats from the EU Member States and EU institutions and the EUMS Training Directors. It was oficially opened by Mrs Ulrike Hauer, Head of Career, Learning and Development Division (BHR.4) at the EEAS; Ambassador Koenraad Lenaerts, the Belgian Training Director and Mr Bernard Quintin, Director General for European Affairs at the MFA of Belgium. The opening speeches were followed by presentations on Europe and geopolitics, on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU and about the EU strategic agenda.
The junior participants, who met for the fourth time since the first module in Madrid last November, also attended interactive workshops on topics such as societal resilience and health policy at EU level, current political and security challenges on the African continent and the Rule of Law toolbox of the EU. At the closing ceremony, the junior MS diplomats and EU officials, including five colleagues from the EEAS, were awarded EDP diplomas.
The EUMS MFAs’ Training Directors and the EEAS BHR.4 representatives held a joint meeting to exchange views on new trends and strategies in the field of Learning and Development, with focus on mandatory and voluntary trainings for diplomats. They also attended a workshop on how to train diplomatic skills and visited the EEAS Crisis Response Centre and Africa Museum for guided tours.
All the participants had many opportunities to network during breaks, lunches and at an exquisite gala dinner in the museum hosted by the Belgian Presidency.
The European Diplomatic Programme, established in 1999, represents a learning environment in which the participants develop core diplomatic skills, learn to negotiate and build up a European network from which they benefit the rest of their careers. The EDP raises understanding between MS and the EU institutions and, focusing on EU external policy, strengthens a true European diplomacy. Each EDP edition consists of four modules taking place from autumn to spring, the first and last modules are organised by the respective EU Presidency, the EEAS organises the third module in Brussels.
The 24th EDP edition (2023-2024)
Module I: Madrid, 23-24 November 2023
Modules II: Member States’ capitals, January/February 2024
Module III: Brussels, 11-15 March 2024
Module IV: Brussels, 20-21 June 2024