Advancing Women’s Leadership and Influence in Global Diplomacy. Lead with Confidence. Shape Institutions. Drive Change.

Women continue to be underrepresented in senior diplomatic and decision-making roles worldwide. The Women in Diplomacy Programme is a five-day, in-person leadership training in Geneva designed to address this challenge head-on.

Jointly delivered by UNITAR and LSE IDEAS’ Women in Diplomacy Project, this programme brings together cutting-edge research, practical leadership training, and direct engagement with the United Nations system to support mid-career women professionals working in diplomacy and international policy.

Through interactive learning and peer exchange, participants will strengthen their leadership capacity, expand their professional networks, and gain the tools needed to influence decision-making and advance gender equality within their institutions.

This joint programme is grounded in research conducted by LSE IDEAS, which highlights the structural and institutional barriers limiting women’s advancement in diplomacy. Building on these findings, the programme translates research into applied learning, focusing on how both institutions and individuals can address persistent gender imbalances and drive systemic change.

Hosted in Geneva, the programme offers participants rare access to UN entities, International Organizations, and senior women leaders shaping global policy today.

By combining:

• academic insight,
• applied leadership training, and
• institutional access,

the programme equips participants to create impact both within their own careers and across the diplomatic system more broadly.

By the end of this five day training programme, participants will:

• Develop advanced leadership, negotiation, and communication skills tailored to diplomatic and multilateral environments
• Gain insight into systemic barriers affecting women’s representation and how to address them
• Translate research findings into practical strategies for institutional reform
• Engage directly with senior women diplomats, UN officials, and policy leaders
• Build a strong international peer network of women working across diplomacy and international affairs

• Research Meets Practice Engage with LSE IDEAS researchers on the latest findings from the Strengthening the Representation of Women in Diplomacy report and related studies.
• Interactive Leadership Workshops Participate in hands-on sessions focused on leadership, influence, and negotiation in multilateral settings.
• Mentorship & Peer Exchange Take part in mentorship circles and facilitated discussions on career progression, leadership pathways, and institutional navigation.
• Direct Engagement with the UN System Meet and exchange with Geneva-based organisations such as UN Women, OHCHR, and Permanent Missions, gaining real-world perspectives on leadership within the UN.

This programme is designed for mid-career women professionals working in:

• Diplomatic services and foreign ministries
• Multilateral and intergovernmental organisations
• International policy, peace, or development roles

Participants typically have 5–10 years of relevant professional experience. Applicants with a Master’s degree in International Relations or a related field may also be considered with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

A strong interest in advancing women’s leadership and representation in diplomacy is essential.

The Women in Diplomacy Programme is more than a training course - it is a platform for connection, reflection, and action. Participants leave equipped not only with new skills, but with a renewed sense of purpose and a network of peers committed to advancing women’s leadership in international diplomacy.

Registration open now, deadline 13 April 2026