Diplomacy in action
The Diplomats Lounge is an informal space where diplomats mingle and informally discuss the issues at hand and the possible ways forward. It is found adjacent to the formal meeting rooms where prepared texts and talking points rule the day. In essence, it is where the work gets done. With this in mind, the goal of this program is to replicate this environment within an academic setting for students to engage and discuss global issues.
The Diplomats Lounge is a program partnership with the podcast American Diplomat and the American Academy of Diplomacy. It is a monthly meeting space for honors students to engage in a student-centric give-and-take with career diplomat practitioners and each other. These conversations will center on the issues that Gen Z will face in the years to come. In examining the world of 2028 and beyond, students will offer their thoughts on the best course(s) of action. Content for the discussions are generated by AI in an effort to project the execution and outcomes of US foreign policy, including tensions between ethics and realpolitik, and their likely impact on national security.
Moderated by career diplomats, the discussions encourage students to critically assess long-standing institutions and consider how diplomacy must adapt amid rapid technological change, cyber threats, authoritarianism, and pressures on the democratic order.
The Lounge sessions are highly interactive and operate under the Chatham House Rule.
Want to know what it’s really like on the frontlines of international diplomacy? Each week, Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero and co-host Laura Bennett sit down with active and retired US diplomats to pull back the curtain on the gritty, human side of international affairs. From dealing with foreign leaders to navigating the chaos of war zones, these diplomats share the stories that drive the headlines.
The American Academy of Diplomacy works to strengthen American diplomacy. The small group of former senior ambassadors and leaders in foreign policy who constitute the Academy represent a unique wealth of talent — practitioners who have dealt with the toughest of real-world issues — dedicated to the core mission of strengthening American diplomacy. Study programs have made unique contributions to examining proper staffing for State and USAID and recommending essential improvements in professional education and training for America’s diplomats. Through outreach programs, lectures, awards and competitions the Academy promotes interest in and understanding of the indispensability of diplomacy to the most challenging problems facing our foreign and national security interests. It works with groups with related interests to share perspectives and programs.
If you are interested in learning more about this program or have questions, please complete this request for information form: