Educating people who are not only interested in international affairs but are also prepared to shape foreign policy, represent the state, participate in decision-making processes, and act responsibly on the global stage – this is the mission behind the postgraduate programme Diplomacy and Foreign Service. The second edition of this prestigious programme, offered by the Center for the Study of Diplomacy KUL, commenced on 15 May with lectures delivered by distinguished experts: former Prime Minister Professor Hanna Suchocka and Professor Sławomir Dębski, a lecturer at the College of Europe in Natolin.
The Second Edition of the Diplomacy Programme Begins at KUL
For the second consecutive year, the Center for the Study of Diplomacy KUL is preparing future professionals for careers in the Polish foreign service. To mark the inauguration of the new edition, Professor Hanna Suchocka delivered the opening lecture. Participants attended her presentation entitled “The Diplomacy of the Holy See and Experiences of Serving at a Diplomatic Mission” and took part in a discussion with the distinguished legal scholar, former Prime Minister, former Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, and Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Holy See from 2001 to 2013.
Strategy and Grand Strategy
On the second day of the programme, Professor Sławomir Dębski, an expert in foreign policy, lecturer at the College of Europe in Natolin, former Director of the Polish Institute of International Affairs, and former Director of the Center for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding, conducted a seminar on strategy.
Professor Dębski introduced participants to the concepts of Polish strategic culture and countering Russian imperialism. He distinguished between strategy and grand strategy, emphasizing their different purposes.
According to Professor Dębski, strategy focuses on achieving victory in conflict – it answers the question of how to defeat an opponent using the available means, including military force. Grand strategy, by contrast, extends beyond armed conflict and addresses the challenge of “winning the peace” by building national security, stable international relations, and a durable post-war order.
“Strategy is the art of achieving the objective we seek using the resources we possess in a world that tries to prevent us from doing so,” Professor Dębski reminded participants.
His lecture emphasized that an effective grand strategy requires not only military capabilities but also the capacity to build long-term security and secure a state’s position within the international system.
A Prestigious Postgraduate Programme
The Diplomacy and Foreign Service postgraduate programme at The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin continues to attract exceptional interest. This is already its second edition, with nearly three times as many applicants as available places. Ultimately, 45 participants, selected through a competitive admissions process, will spend two semesters exploring diplomacy through intensive weekend sessions featuring diplomats, experts, discussions, networking opportunities, and practical learning experiences with participants from across Poland.
“The growing interest in international relations and diplomacy reflects a broader trend visible at universities throughout Europe and around the world. The diplomacy and foreign policy programme at KUL responds to these developments and enjoys considerable interest both locally and nationally among people from diverse professional backgrounds,” explains Professor Beata Piskorska, Vice-Rector for Students and Internationalization at KUL, founder and Head of the Center for the Study of Diplomacy KUL.
Professor Piskorska emphasizes that the programme’s uniqueness lies not only in its carefully designed curriculum, which combines strong theoretical foundations with practical expertise, but also in providing participants with direct access to individuals who have shaped Poland’s foreign policy over many years.
Professional Knowledge and Practical Skills
“Our primary goal was to create a programme that would provide a genuine foundation for the professional development of those considering careers in the international environment,” explains Dr Michał Dworski, Academic Director of the Diplomacy and Foreign Service postgraduate programme at the Center for the Study of Diplomacy KUL.
“We do not see these studies merely as an opportunity to teach theoretical knowledge of law, history, politics, or international relations. Above all, we aim to prepare our participants for the practical recruitment processes and professional challenges they will later encounter in state institutions and international organizations.”
As Dr Dworski explains, the curriculum has been designed to prepare graduates for admission to the Diplomatic and Consular Academy, as well as for the demanding multi-stage recruitment procedures conducted by the European Union, the United Nations, and other international organizations.
Ambassadors, Consuls, and Leading Experts
Throughout the programme, participants will continue to meet distinguished practitioners and scholars in diplomacy and foreign affairs.
“We invite outstanding lecturers, academics, and authors of leading textbooks on international law, diplomatic protocol, and diplomacy, but above all practitioners and experts – former presidents, prime ministers, ministers, architects of Poland’s accession to the European Union and NATO, ambassadors, consuls, and directors of Polish cultural institutes abroad,” Professor Piskorska explains.
The Center for the Study of Diplomacy KUL is a unique institution in Poland, combining academic research with educational and public outreach initiatives in the field of diplomacy. Its activities are funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
