Diplomacy is no longer the sole domain of states—it is now conducted by a wide range of actors across governments, business, and civil society. As policies, standards, and power dynamics increasingly emerge from multi-level governance systems, professionals must operate across boundaries: national and international, public and private, political and technological, present and future. This programme equips you to understand, navigate, and influence these complex governance systems.
Objectives
- Gain a solid understanding of the changing diplomatic and policy spheres to become a key player on the international stage
- Develop your contextual intelligence to analyse global issues in a new international order
- Strengthen your intercultural persuasion skills to influence specific policy areas
- Develop an agile, creative and forward-looking mindset to shape contingency-proof policy responses
- Expand your professional network in international Geneva to build bridges with experts from business, civil society, academia and governments
- Experiment with innovative tools to sharpen your negotiation and mediation skills in complex situations
Who is this programme for?
This programme is particularly relevant for mid- to senior level practitioners from various organisations working or aspiring to work as:
- Professionals operating at the intersection of international affairs, policy and business
- Government officials and diplomats
- Professionals from international organisations, NGOs, and foundations
- Executives in globally exposed sectors (e.g. pharma, finance, technology, consulting)
- Professionals in governmental affairs, regulatory, and strategy functions
Related SDG
A shared learning journey, with sector-specific application (business/nonprofit)
In this programme, you learn core concepts alongside participants from business, non-profits and other sectors, giving you insight into how diverse actors negotiate and exercise power. You then apply each module and your final project directly to your own sector and organisational context.
Analytical and thematic sessions
Access the latest research and policy insights from our 11 research centres and leading experts in International Geneva. Develop the analytical tools needed to decode global dynamics and inform strategic decisions.
Professional development sessions
Strengthen your ability to communicate, lead, and negotiate in international affairs.
Module 1
The international system - E-learning
- Global governance and the international system under pressure
- The international legal framework
- The evolving practice of diplomacy in a multi-actor world
- State and non-state actors
- Science and technology diplomacy
Module 2
Diplomacies, power and geopolitics - In person
- Decoding geopolitical and regulatory shifts
- Ethical leadership in international affairs
- Diplomatic practice, protocol, and influence
- Parliamentary and city diplomacy
- China, BRICS, and the global AI race
- Digital and tech diplomacy
- Corporate governmental affairs
Module 3
Policy, risk and strategic decision-making - In person
- Mapping and anticipating emerging risks and technologies
- Policy analysis and policy drafting
- Foresight and science for policy anticipation
- Strategic trade-offs and decision-making under uncertainty
- Policymaking in practice across Africa, Asia, and Latin America
- Crisis communication and public speaking
- AI governance and policy
Module 4
Negotiation and strategic influence - In person
- Negotiating in multistakeholder and regulatory contexts
- Coalition-building across sectors and regions
- Influencing multilateral and policy processes
- Storytelling and messaging for impact
- Governance in civil-military cooperation
- AI for negotiation
- Peace mediation and crisis negotiation
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Professional experience, motivation, and applicability for your career:
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Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline
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Minimum eight years of professional work experience
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English language
Executive Diploma in Diplomacy, Negotiation and Policy
Diploma of Advanced Studies (30 ECTS)
Requires successful completion of Modules 1,2,3 & 4 assessments and final paper
This programme counts towards the Executive Master in International Relations
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Final research or policy paper on a subject of your choice
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Mandatory class attendance
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Successfully complete module assignments
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Peer-to-peer learning - highly diverse participants from various sectors, countries and professional experience
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Interactive teaching - engage with influential practitioners and experts
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Lead Faculty and speakers - available for guidance
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Close to the real-life of a professional through practical sessions, case studies and simulations
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Critical thinking, thanks to analytical sessions by faculty members
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Executive Education graduates join the Graduate Institute alumni network of 20,000+
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10% discount on future Executive Education programmes
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Networking and professional development opportunities
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Alumni regional chapters in 20+ countries
Faculty, staff and speakers (non-exhaustive)
TETIANA ISAIEVA
Head of Compliance at Roche
"The programme is absolutely outstanding and well-balanced in topics, insights, practices, and exchanges. I have realised how valuable insights are on the interconnection of global health challenges, the importance of healthcare ecosystem collaborative efforts in addressing resource distribution and healthcare accessibility, and the critical role of AI in fostering innovations and improving patient outcomes and experiences. It was revealing to learn about policy-making and how to influence various stakeholders, which is essential for effective governance and regulations."
Tetiana Isaieva has over twenty years of experience as an international leader in Life Science. She is currently the Head of Compliance at Roche.
Richard Posma
Founder and Senior Consultant at DJOPP
"The multidisciplinary INP programme provides the latest insights into various sectors and international developments, combined with strategic planning techniques and policy development. It also offers the opportunity to practise negotiations in complex situations and with multiple actors. I think it is a unique programme that allows participants to be influential and generate positive change on the highest levels."
Richard Posma is a Senior Consultant with extensive expertise in utilising original strategies to enhance the operations and effectiveness of organisations within leading international organisations and start-ups. He is the Founder of DJOPP.
Grégoire Landry
Head of Legal of a sovereign institutional investor
"INP is a meaningful and powerful program. I have been particularly impressed by the diversity and the backgrounds of the participants and speakers. The facilities and support the Institute provide make life easier at every stage of the learning journey. All along the modules, kindness and respect facilitate the exchanges, and from the first day, every participant feels comfortable and benefits from the various experiences of fellow students. The spirit of INP is, as that of the Institute, incredibly international. I warmly recommend to all experienced professionals and leaders to apply without hesitation to this exciting program which will feed their development and boost their global impact."
Grégoire has 25 years of experience in legal, financial and governmental services. He is currently Head of Legal of a sovereign institutional investor.
Ivan ng
General Manager & Director, Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific, Singapore
“I work in a transnational company with multiple stakeholders, global, regional and local and multi-functional teams from marketing, supply-chain, sales, legal and more. The INP programme has taught me how to navigate around this internal complexity towards a common consensus in multi-stakeholder environments.”
Ivan Ng is a Singaporean, with 13 years of working experience throughout Asia Pacific markets at Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Johnson & Johnson, as well as founder of 2 start-ups. Currently General Manager and Director for Johnson & Johnson Haircare Business Unit Asia Pacific.
catherine Thompson
Senior Secretary, World Meteorological Organisation, Switzerland
"The teachers were dynamic and available for any questions we had. I encourage you to find the time to take the INP programme. It's one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done."
Catherine Thompson recently joined the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems initiative of the WMO, the UNISDR, the World Bank and the GFDRR. In 2015, she was recruited by the WMO's Communication and Public Affairs team, beginning a professional reconversion into the IO's community. Previously, she had pursued a career in contemporary art, working for several prestigious galleries in New York and Geneva.
rogier van den berg
Programme Manager, UN Habitat, Kenya
"The best thing about the INP programme is the people and the backgrounds of the people it attracts. The fact that participants come from different backgrounds says much about the course. It cuts across disciplines and attracts people from all sectors, providing the methodologies to shift between disciplines and professional expertise and enabling you to provide direction for change."
Rogier van den Berg has worked for over 16 years as an architect, urban planner, consultant, and academic at the UN. He has broad experience in 'making cities' and advises national governments, city leaders and the private sector in planning processes and design. He set up the Urban Planning and Design Lab at UN-Habitat in Nairobi in 2014. Now the Lab operates in 50 cities across 40 countries.
our community
Join a diverse alumni network of 20'000+ Graduate Institute alumni, 110 nationalities for Executive Education alumni alone, and 180+ alumni of the International Negotiation and Policy-Making programme.
Alumni of the programme come from all regions, sectors and backgrounds. Entering its 13th year, join a growing community of negotiation and policy-making experts and practitioners, including:
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Programme Manager, UN-Habitat, Kenya
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First Secretary, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations, New York, USA
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Programme Officer, UNHCR, Turkey
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Minister, Embassy of Columbia, Switzerland
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Deputy Director, HR, ICRC, Switzerland
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Protection Team Leader, ICRC, India
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Deputy Head of Media, WEF, Switzerland
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Senior Advisor - Vice President, Santander Bank, Switzerland
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Principal International Auditor, Coca-Cola, Kenya
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General Manager & Director, Johnson & Johnson, Singapore
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Independent Consultant, International Sports Federations, Switzerland
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Emergency Doctor, Switzerland
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