In August, the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Executive Education team partnered with the Arab Youth Center to deliver a customised online training as part of the Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders (YADL) Programme. Building on the successful collaboration established during previous editions of the programme, the training focused on the evolving nature of power and diplomacy in an increasingly complex international environment.
The two-day training brought together young Arab diplomatic leaders for two interactive sessions led by experts from the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Center on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP).
The first session, “Power in the 21st Century: Who Holds It, Who Wields It, and Who Is Losing It?”, explored how power is being reshaped beyond traditional military and economic capabilities. Participants examined emerging sources of influence, including technological leadership, information and narratives, supply-chain resilience and data governance, while considering why national resources do not necessarily translate into international influence. The session also explored the relationship between national power and diplomacy, as well as the role of economic statecraft in shaping international relations.
The second session, “Is Diplomacy Still Capable of Managing a Changing World?”, examined the evolving role of diplomacy in responding to contemporary conflicts and crises. Through contemporary cases and interactive breakout-room discussions, participants reflected on the changing nature of conflict, the emergence of new diplomatic actors and tools, and the opportunities and limitations facing diplomacy today.
The sessions were delivered by Abdulla Ibrahim, Senior Researcher at the CCDP and Senior Advisor and lead on the Future of Arms Control Project, and Bilal Salaymeh, Postdoctoral Researcher at the CCDP. Their expertise in international conflict, security, peacebuilding and diplomatic processes provided participants with academic and practical perspectives on the challenges facing diplomacy today.
Through this collaboration, the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Arab Youth Center continue to support the development of the next generation of Arab diplomatic leaders, providing them with opportunities to engage with leading experts and deepen their understanding of the forces shaping international affairs.