On 29 August 2023, the European External Action Service (EEAS) published on its official website the following press release concerning the European Diplomatic Academy (EUDA), which kicked off on 31 August at the College of Europe in Natolin, to then continue at the College of Europe in Bruges.
We present below the text of the press release, which is also available at this link.
European Diplomatic Academy (EUDA): EEAS launches the second phase of the pilot project
29.08.2023 EEAS Press Team
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is taking further steps towards building a stronger common European diplomatic culture and foreign policy. After completing a successful first year programme of the European Diplomatic Academy, the EEAS is starting the second phase of the pilot project, with a view to establishing a fully-fledged Academy.
The second pilot phase will run over the academic year 2023/24. Based on lessons learned from the first pilot, and in consultation with Member States, the second pilot programme will be conducted in two separate, identical, five-month editions. The first one will run from September to January and the second one from February to June. This year will also see a boost of practical training. For both editions, participants will benefit from a one-month training assignment at the EEAS Headquarters in Brussels.
Two groups of 25 junior diplomats, coming from EU Member States and the EU institutions were selected by their respective administrations to take part in each edition.
The programme will kick off on 31 August at the College of Europe in Natolin, to then continue at the College of Europe in Bruges. The residential format in Bruges will allow all 50 participants to live, study and work together, thus contributing to networking, and to the formation of an esprit de corps.
The programme will focus on nine thematic areas and will include group work, simulation games/role plays, case studies, written and oral presentations, classroom discussions and debates, fire-side chats, and individual exercises.
Participants will be trained on policies, procedures, and diplomatic practices in the field of EU external action, with the objective of acquiring the necessary skills and competencies to effectively promote and defend EU’s values and interests in the world.
Background:
The second phase of the pilot project is financed by a budget allocation of €990,500, upon the initiative of the European Parliament. This budget covers the tuition fee for the entire programme, as well as transport, boarding, and lodging expenses for the participants.
The EEAS has selected, through a tender procedure, a consortium formed by the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium) and the College of Europe in Natolin (Poland) to run the second phase of the pilot programme. Federica Mogherini, current Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges and former EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, will continue as Director of the programme.