Found on the Web: Executive Master’s Degree in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs

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In a globalized world, every institution, company or organization needs to engage in international relations to achieve its goals. Although Catalonia’s institutions have been developing external activities for over 30 years, especially once Spain joined the European Community in 1986, there has never been a specific system for the recruitment of international relations specialists.

With the aim of building capacities in Catalan institutions in the field of foreign affairs, the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia and the Secretariat for Foreign and EU Affairs agreed to launch a supplementary study program in the field of diplomacy and external affairs, intended for employees of Catalonia’s civil service with international experience.

The Executive Master’s in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs is an innovative post-graduate programme, tailored to the needs of a 21st century public administration. It is designed to prepare for the management of a dynamic and flexible foreign policy and for meeting the challenges of an interdependent world in the communications era. The 10 month training programme focuses on Economy, Communications and Negotiation, without neglecting more traditional areas such as International Law, European Affairs and the History of International Relations.

This Master’s degree is directed by Professor Carles Boix, PhD in Political Science, Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University and Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs at Princeton University. It is taught by Catalan and international professors affiliated to Catalan academic institutions, as well as visiting professors from abroad.

The Barcelona Institute of International Studies (IBEI) and the School of Public Administration of Catalonia (EAPC) collaborate on the organization of the programme, which grants a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs awarded by Pompeu Fabra University (UPF).

First edition

The application period for the first edition of the Master opened in May 2013 exclusively for staff of the Secretariat for Foreign and EU Affairs, the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation, the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia and the School of Public Administration of Catalonia working in the field of external action. The selection process took place in June 2013. 33 applications were submitted and 19 were selected. The course started 27 July 2013 and ended on 3 June 2014.

Second edition

The application period for the second edition of the Master’s was opened between 18 December 2013 and 12 January 2014. In this second edition, the Master’s was open to staff from the Government of Catalonia and the Provincial Council of Barcelona with international experience and an excellent command of English. 74 applications were submitted and 19 were selected. Classes began on 6 February and ended on 22 December 2014.

Third edition

Between the 17 November and 7 December, the application process for the third edition of the Master was opened for the admission of a maximum of 20 students coming from the personnel of the Government of Catalonia, the Provincial Council of Barcelona, as well as the County Councils and Town Councils of the province of Barcelona. There were a total of 49 applicants, from which 17 were admitted to the Master’s programme. Classes began on 19 January 2015 and ended on 20 November 2015.

Fourth edition

On 30 November 2015 the application period for the fourth edition of the Master’s degree was opened to the personnel of the Government of Catalonia and the local governments of Catalonia with a proven experience or interest in international relations and a proficient command of English. The deadline to submit the applications is 3 January 2016. Classes will begin on 15 February and will end in December 2016.

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Last updated: 27 November 2015