Welcome to Diplomacy by Networking – the International Diplomatic Training Programme of the Federal Foreign Office!

The content of the International Diplomatic Training Programme is shaped by the objectives of German and European foreign policy, such as the preservation of peace, the protection of human rights, the promotion of democracy and good governance, the conservation of natural resources, the fair shaping of world trade and the reduction of poverty.

Over 15 different courses each year outline positions of our foreign policy while simultaneously imparting skills for global cooperation. The formats range from classical lectures to simulations, trainings and rallies through Germany. The courses last between two and eight weeks and are conducted in German, English or French. More than 300 participants from approximately 180 countries are invited each year.

History

When the fall of the Berlin Wall ushered in a new political era upholding freedom, a new awareness emerged that such freedom would not be sustainable without shared responsibility for a peaceful world order. This collective political commitment to freedom was the foundation of the initiative by then Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich Genscher for the creation of the International Diplomatic Training Programme in 1992. Initially designed as support for the development of young democracies in Central and Eastern Europe, the Federal Foreign Office's international programmes have since evolved steadily.

At no other time has cooperative collaboration among all nations been as crucial as it is today, in times of climate change and a globally interconnected economy. The continuous adaptation and expansion of the International Diplomatic Training Programme is therefore essential.