The Executive Seminar Focus Germany (GKD) is a programme directed at diplomats who are to be seconded to Germany in the foreseeable future or who work in the Germany or Europe division in their Foreign Ministry. It offers participants a comprehensive view of Germany’s political system, its foreign policy priorities and its engagement in connection with global challenges.

During the three-week programme, participants hold talks with high-ranking officials, including from the Bundestag, the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and various Federal Foreign Office Directorates-General. This gives them a deeper understanding of Germany’s foreign policy positions on key issues such as the role of Germany in the United Nations, the European Union, transatlantic relations and crisis prevention. Other topics include international climate policy, energy diplomacy, migration and the organisational structure of the Federal Foreign Office. Training modules to teach professional skills, lectures on German history and study trips to various German cities, featuring discussions in regional parliaments and state chancelleries as well as visits to companies, round off the programme.

Participants acquire a deep understanding of German foreign and security policy, good governance and democratic processes, the economic principles and interests of our country, climate issues and current societal and domestic policy debates.