Ambassadors’ Socio-Political Forum Engages Webster Athens Students in Global Diplomacy

The 2024 Ambassadors’ Socio-Political Forum, an annual event hosted by the international relations department at the Webster University Athens Cultural Center, featured a series of lectures delivered by nine ambassadors representing their countries in Greece. The forum, which commenced on March 21 and concluded on April 25, provided students with a conceptual understanding of diplomacy and international relations. They had the opportunity to analyze the factors leading to significant global developments and deepen their knowledge of various contemporary and vital areas of foreign policy studies. 
  
Upon arrival, the ambassadors were welcomed and introduced to the students by Rector Vasilis J. Botopoulos.  
 
“The ambassadors' lectures to the students marked another successful series of the Ambassadors’ Forum,” said Botopoulos. “It is an ongoing initiative of Webster Athens. Since its inception, the forum has been instrumental in enriching students’ understanding of global diplomacy and international relations through engaging lectures and discussions from the experts of diplomacy.” 
  
The ambassadors expressed their delight in engaging with Webster Athens’ international student body, as their lectures attracted students from diverse cultural backgrounds and academic disciplines. They highly praised Webster University for being such a unique internationalized University. 
  
The event covered topics such as foreign policy, international organizations (including the United Nations, European Union, and NATO), cooperation, security and bilateral or multilateral issues.

Ambassadors who participated in this year's forum include George J. Tsunis of the United States, who opened the lecture series; Alejandro García Moreno Elizondo of Mexico; Noam Katz of Israel; Giovanni E. Palec of the Philippines; Bebeb A.K. Nugraha Djundjunan of Indonesia; Ana Vukadinovic of Montenegro; Arif Mammadov of Azerbaijan; Lina Skerstonaite of Lithuania; and Arthur Lompart of Poland, who closed the forum.

The ambassadors delved into multilateral relations with their neighboring countries and other states around the world, providing a holistic perspective on today’s challenging diplomatic efforts. Engaging in deeper conversations with the students, ambassadors offered their countries’ diplomatic perspectives on national, regional and global socio-political issues. 

“The ambassadors, who honored our university with their lectures, enriched our students' knowledge in many current and crucial domains. This constitutes a serious investment on their part in both their academic and professional careers,” said Rector Botopoulos. 
  
The interactive forum provided students with a platform to engage directly with the ambassadors, fostering discussions on the complexities of national and international issues.  
 
“By delving into distinct global engagement strategies shaped by their countries' historical precedents and contemporary international dynamics, ambassadors gave a unique insight into their states' foreign policy from their own standpoint,” said Professor Ioannis Nomikos, head of the Webster Athens international relations department. “Throughout the lectures, students actively participated, displaying a genuine interest in unraveling the representative countries' foreign policy complexities. They seized the opportunity to pose questions and express their curiosity about the countries’ history, culture, bilateral relations with Greece and multilateral relations with other countries.”

Students’ Interactions with Diplomats

Thant Kyi Phyu Htun (Sarah), BA ‘24, who hails from Myanmar and recently graduated with a degree in international relations, explained that she gained invaluable knowledge and experience by interacting with ambassadors from around the world and engaging with diplomats. 
 
"This experience provided a unique opportunity to delve into pressing global issues firsthand, exploring diplomacy and foreign policies from diverse nations,” said Htun. "Led by career diplomats, constructive dialogue not only deepened our understanding of international relations and tradecraft dynamics but also fostered critical thinking and public communication skills." 
 
Discussions ranged from the complexities of ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war to crucial topics such as military budgeting, gender equality, cybersecurity implications, and international security in real-world terms, offering invaluable insights. 
 
The event also examined the role of cultural diplomacy in foreign policy, sharing insights into energy strategy, development and security. It addressed the role of regional intergovernmental organizations and local business councils in fostering economic cooperation with Greece and developing robust mutual economic growth. 
 
Natalina Hanna, an Italian-Egyptian undergraduate international relations student, emphasized the importance of learning about global issues and how diplomacy serves as a tool of foreign policy. “The Ambassadors’ Socio-Political Forum gave us the chance to engage in conversation outside of a classroom setting, leading us to think critically, to question, and to voice our opinions openly," shared Hanna. 
  
Hanna mentioned that attending the forum fulfilled her goal of understanding how diplomats negotiate treaties and mediate conflicts while representing their nations and presenting broader goals and strategies. The forum also introduced her to new career path opportunities. 
 
Mohammad Osman Tahsilzoy, a senior undergraduate business administration student from Afghanistan, also shared thoughts surrounding the forum.  
 
"Attending meetings with ambassadors from different countries was an exceptional opportunity that not only helped me become an informed and proactive global citizen but also combined my academic journey with real-world diplomacy,” said Tahsilzoy. 
 
Tahsilzoy thanked Webster University for providing an opportunity that enriched his college experience with invaluable knowledge and skills for his future career. "These experiences will broaden my understanding of different cultures and political systems, develop a more nuanced perspective, and help me think critically about global affairs," he said. 
 
Daniela Cobo González, a graduate international relations student from Ecuador, reflected on her experience with the Ambassadors' Forum, saying, "We learn that ambassadors come from diverse backgrounds, yet they all share a dedication to hard work and a deep love for their countries. Representing their nation is a tremendous honor." 
 
González added that the ambassador's role also teaches valuable lessons in tolerance, open-mindedness, and embracing differences. "Diplomacy is emphasized as the best and most effective tool for handling conflicts," she said. "Being an ambassador means continually learning, which makes the job not only demanding but also beautifully rewarding." 
 
Several embassies in Athens featured the event on their social media and governmental sites, emphasizing the value of American educational ties, the vibrant exchange of ideas on diplomacy and their countries' bilateral collaboration with Greece. 
 
The Ambassadors’ Forum is an annual event [every Spring 2 Term] that aims to familiarize students with socio-political international relations issues and diplomatic disciplines. It provides invaluable knowledge and experience from the main actors of diplomacy through the authentic points of view of official representatives of states, the ambassadors, who know the intricate story of international relations and diplomacy best.