As recently appointed Women, Peace and Security Coordinator for Italy, I joined this seminar with the expectation to gain a deeper understanding of my portfolio. Very early in the programme I realised it entailed much more. The coordinators assembled a remarkably global and diverse cohort, and its richness shaped every discussion, from the formal sessions to the conversations over coffee or during walks in Berlin or Frankfurt.

At a time of multiplying conflicts and shifting security paradigms, the seminar made clear that the WPS agenda, adopted by the United Nations Security Council with Resolution 1325 in 2000, is neither a niche concern nor a box to be ticked. It is a practical framework for understanding who is affected by conflict, who shapes peace, and why both questions matter.

The seminar provided us, first of all, with analytical expertise, as we came away with a rigorous understanding of the four pillars of the agenda – prevention, protection, participation and reconstruction - and how they are implemented in practice, from policy design to operational delivery. This is a toolkit we can utilise directly and concretely in our own institutions.

Regarding the meaning of the agenda, we now have a broader appreciation of its value, as we see it on two levels: as a matter of justice and rights, and as a driver of operational effectiveness. Inclusive peace efforts and processes produce better analysis, more credible engagement with local communities and potentially more durable peace agreements, as these can lie on a wider social base.

This awareness was coupled by the conviction that, while we reflect on how to promote the WPS agenda, we need to “walk the talk” on women’s rights. The session on how Auswärtiges Amt manages gender equality internally was brilliant and engaging. It prompted many questions and a lively dialogue, because we were eager to know Germany’s best practices and see whether these could work in our respective contexts. Seeing an institution apply to itself the principles it promotes was among the most instructive moments of the programme.

We left Berlin also with a valuable and new professional network. We met colleagues from Auswärtiges Amt, civil society, academia and international organisations who work in and around WPS. These contacts bring together different vantage points and will support our work well beyond the programme.

This intense experience offered us a deeper understanding of Germany, and I believe this resonates well with the Diplomacy by Networking spirit. The sessions gave us first-hand insight into Germany's political system and institutions, and into the functioning of its policy and decision-making processes. Having a chance to appreciate Germany’s commitment in multilateral institutions, at a time where these are struggling, was particularly valuable.

What made our days in Berlin most rewarding was the breadth and depth of thinking within our cohort, and its exquisite human quality. Each participant brought reflections drawn from representing their own country as well as from their personal experiences, and each felt free to share candid views in a welcoming, open-minded setting. This variety of perspectives taught us as much as the formal content did. Everyone’s empathy, wit and warmth turned a professional programme into an experience that was a true pleasure to share.

Above all, the main takeaway was feeling part of a community of shared values that will guide our choices and endeavours. The hope now is that this community grows wider and deeper in the future.

On behalf of the cohort of the 2026 WPS Executive Seminar, heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Heidrun Tempel, WPS Programme Director, Ernest Ezerski, Programme Coordinator, and Leon Scharf, Programme Assistant, for their dedication and efforts in bringing the programme to life.

Francesca Dell’Apa

Women, Peace and Security Coordinator for Italy