how to be an effective diplomat:
essential skills to master communication, negotiation and critical relationships
Launching soon! A practical course on how to be an effective diplomat. Tried and tested techniques learned from 35 years of diplomacy on the front lines, with scores of countries and political groups worldwide. This course will teach you all the skills you need to be an effective professional. Sign up to get news of the launch!
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Testimonials
'This was an excellent course, covering a very wide range of diplomatic skills. The lessons offer very practical techniques to put into action straightaway, and have given a real boost to my diplomatic work. Highly recommended."
Hussein Maamo, Diplomat, Syrian Democratic Council
Carne's teaching is clear and practical, giving you usable tools and techniques to do diplomacy 'right'. This course is absolutely invaluable. You cannot get this kind of training anywhere else!
London-based diplomat
Your teacher
In an extraordinary 35-year career, Carne has both practiced front-line diplomacy as a British diplomat negotiating the toughest issues, and counselled dozens of countries and political movements on how to be effective in diplomacy, whether they are battling for recognition as independent states, fighting authoritarian governments or seeking better trade or climate deals.
Uniquely, Carne has practiced diplomacy both from the side of the powerful and the marginalised. He has attended the UN Security Council in no less than five different delegations - perhaps a record!
Carne's skills are not conventional. They cannot be accessed anywhere else.
His expertise:
High-level negotiation - Carne has negotiated agreements on the most difficult issues - arms control, terrorism and climate - at the highest level: bilateral talks between countries and multilateral negotiations at the UN.
Diplomatic advice - Carne has given advice and instruction on effective diplomacy to the representatives of over forty countries and political movements. The skills and insights he teaches are unique, garnered from 35 years experience at the frontlines of contemporary diplomacy.
Practical technique - Carne has 'walked the walk' as a diplomat in many different guises and from many different perspectives. His teaching eschews theory and instead focuses on sharp-edged, practical skills.
Insight - Carne has written about the practice and deficits of diplomacy for many years, including his book 'Independent Diplomat: dispatches from an unaccountable elite", a book which is now on the syllabi of many university courses.
Carne has taught these skills at universities, businesses and dozens of foreign ministries around the world. He has advised scores of world leaders on how to successfully advance their cause in this complex and contested world. You can read more about Carne here.
Learn diplomacy from the real world
A comprehensive step-by-step guide to the skills you need to be effective.
The challenges that diplomats and those learning about diplomacy confront:
Diplomacy remains an obscure and closed practice.
There are too many 'barriers to entry' including closed forums, unintelligible protocols and a rigid professional culture.
Very little teaching in diplomacy focuses on practical and effective skills.
University courses are too long and too expensive, often with insufficient focus on practical tools.
Most courses lack the insight and tips from the hard experience of frontline diplomats.
This course is currently available in English only (with subtitles in English) but will soon be available in multiple languages. Please sign up for updates to hear when new courses become available.
What You’ll Gain
Comprehensive basic skills
In 17 classes, you will learn the 'how to's' of diplomacy, giving you the tools to participate in diplomacy and the skills to master the practice
Straightforward teaching
Carne's teaching is easy to understand - super clear, and super logical
A full set of skills
In 17 lessons, this course covers the gamut of contemporary diplomacy - from negotiation to 'social' diplomacy
Practical skills not useless theory
Too much 'IR' focuses on theory. This course is all about practical skills.
Teaching from hard experience
Carne has advised over 40 countries and political movements on diplomacy and how to access power and assert your needs
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is designed for those who want to learn about the actual practice of diplomacy, not theory about 'international relations'. The course is useful not only for those in diplomacy but also those who seek to understand this often-closed and obscure practice. It's a perfect fit for:
Diplomat
Gain a full range of skills covering all contemporary diplomatic practice. Practical skills learned from 35 years of practice.
Journalist
Learn about diplomacy from the inside, not what diplomats will have you believe. Get insight into diplomatic techniques and terms.
Analyst
Diplomacy is a crucial element of global affairs. This course will tell you how it really works - in practice.
Student
For those interested in learning the practical skills of diplomacy, not theory. How do you 'do' diplomacy?
Get in Touch
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