Activity
Research Activities
The primary goal of the Center for the Study of Diplomacy at KUL is to enhance the quality of research and education in the broadly understood field of diplomacy, as well as to support international academic cooperation.
This goal is pursued through archival and library research in Poland and abroad, the preparation of a scholarly bibliography on the history and evolution of modern diplomacy, the organization of international academic conferences, study visits to research centers and diplomatic missions of the Republic of Poland, the preparation and publication of materials in both traditional and digital form, including at least two monographs, the organization of postgraduate studies, and the daily dissemination of knowledge and oral history related to diplomacy, Poland’s foreign policy, and Poland’s position and image in the international arena.
These tasks are carried out by a team of several researchers representing Polish and foreign academic institutions and research centers.
Postgraduate Studies
The postgraduate programme “Diplomacy and Foreign Service ” is designed for graduates of bachelor’s and master’s programmes, as well as doctoral students and early-career researchers who wish to expand their knowledge of diplomacy, foreign policy, geopolitics, history, international law, and international relations.
The offer is aimed primarily at graduates of social sciences (political science, law, journalism, international relations, economics, management) and humanities (history, art history, philosophy, theology, classical philology, modern languages, linguistics, Polish studies), though graduates of other fields are not excluded.
The programme lasts two semesters (180 hours). Classes are conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. The curriculum also includes study visits.
The teaching staff consists mainly of employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the MFA Diplomatic Academy, former and current diplomats from Poland and abroad, as well as scholars from Polish and international research and academic institutions specializing in diplomacy.
More information is available in the dedicated tab:
Trainings and Workshops
Certified training sessions and workshops are offered to anyone interested in developing soft skills, as well as to students planning a career in diplomacy or international institutions. A university degree is not required for participation.
The Center’s trainings are practical in nature and organized with the support of institutional partners such as the MFA Diplomatic Academy, the Vienna School of International Studies, and the Regional Centre for International Debate.
Training topics include, among others:
- Diplomatic protocol – theory and practice
- Etiquette and protocol – the impact of cultural differences
- Precedence – the delicate art of diplomacy
- Savoir-vivre
- Introduction to diplomatic and consular law
- Decision-making processes in the European Union
- Diplomatic and official correspondece
- Public speaking and ceremonial speeches
Details are published in the “News” section:
Summer School of Diplomacy
The Summer School of Diplomacy is a week-long programme organized by the Center in cooperation with institutional partners, including the MFA Diplomatic Academy and the Vienna School of International Studies. Participants learn about the specifics of working in the foreign service and the intricacies of diplomatic protocol. They also receive detailed, practical information on the diplomatic–consular recruitment process.
The Summer School is addressed not only to students and graduates, but also to local government officials, academics, and experts.
Its teaching staff includes MFA employees, members of the MFA Diplomatic Academy, experienced diplomats from Poland and abroad, and scholars from various analytical and academic institutions specializing in diplomacy.
More information is available in the dedicated tab:
Discourses on the World
Discourses on the World is a series of meetings and debates with public figures, representatives of government and public institutions, scholars, cultural and media professionals, and diplomats. It is addressed primarily to students, doctoral candidates, and young graduates.
The debates aim to present the practical dimension of the work of public figures, including professional diplomats, and to enable participants to analyse the key challenges of the contemporary world and the potential actions of various actors engaged in international processes.
University Forum of Diplomacy
The University Forum of Diplomacy is a series of regular open lectures and discussion meetings held on campus, dedicated to topics related to culture, history, media, science, and diplomacy in its broadest sense. The events are intended mainly for students, doctoral candidates, and academic staff, but also for high school students and the broader local community.
Speakers include lecturers from Lublin’s higher education institutions, researchers from other academic centers, international guests representing the Center’s partner institutions, and professional diplomats.
Public and Cultural Diplomacy
The Center’s public diplomacy initiatives are aimed at the entire local community, not only at students and staff of Lublin’s universities.
Their purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of soft power in modern diplomacy. Effective foreign policy today requires the use of a wide range of tools that extend far beyond traditional diplomatic methods.
As part of these activities, the Center organizes a variety of public events, including a concert series promoting the culture and art of different countries. These initiatives serve both as practical training in public diplomacy — by involving programme participants in their organization — and as an important promotional element of the Center for the Study of Diplomacy.