First Global Course for Young Diplomats - views and work of Slovenian diplomacy

SLOVENIA, April 24 - 14 young diplomats from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Oceania and Central Asia participated. They came from Timor-Leste, Thailand, the Maldives, Nepal, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, Algeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. On the first day, they were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, who expressed her support for the Course. She noted with pleasure that diplomats from around the world are learning more about Slovenia, its foreign policy and its views on key international issues and challenges. "Slovenia is a small country. Nevertheless, its voice can be heard in the international arena through its principled stance and positions, commitment to enhancing trust and cooperation. The latter proved to be especially important during Slovenia's non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council in 2024 and 2025. The Course, which is organised in this form for the first time, is an important contribution to further strengthening relations with our global partners," she highlighted.

During the Course, participants learned about substantive topics and practical experience in the field of diplomacy. Slovenian diplomats outlined for the participants the history of Slovenia and the development of Slovenian diplomacy, public diplomacy, experience gained during Slovenia's recent membership of the UN Security Council and its priorities as a current member of the UN Human Rights Council.

Participants were also informed about current challenges facing the EU, Slovenia's efforts in the Western Balkans, the work of the Bled Strategic Forum and Slovenia's development cooperation and humanitarian aid. To improve their diplomatic skills in a practical setting, they took part in a negotiation workshop and in a thought experiment on strategic foresight in a changing world. They also practised the use of artificial intelligence in diplomacy.

Participants learned about Slovenia and some of its businesses, and they also visited the Postojna Cave, the seat of the Euro-Mediterranean University in Koper, the Port of Koper and the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) in Ljubljana.

The Course is a product of Slovenia's non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council in 2024 and 2025 and plays an important role in maintaining and strengthening Slovenia's global role.

The Global Course for Young Diplomats is organised by the Ministry's Diplomatic Academy in cooperation with the Bled Strategic Forum. This is the first such course, and it is one of Diplomatic Academy's important projects. It will become a regular event dedicated to providing training for foreign diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, as well as for establishing and enhancing links with diplomats from around the world.