The Mysterious Charm of Diplomacy

The course introduces students to the field of diplomacy and diplomatic service in an interactive and original format, as well as through weekly meetings with prominent Czech and Slovak diplomats. The course provides the students with an insider's view and introduces them to the functioning and the working practices of the diplomatic service.

A number of prominent personalities, who have held diplomatic posts at embassies in countries around the world or in international organizations, have already spoken (or will speak before the end of the winter semester). These include Magda Vášáryová (the first post-Velvet Revolution Czechoslovak ambassador to Austria), Michael Žantovský (former spokesman for President Václav Havel and former Czech ambassador to the USA, Israel, and Great Britain), Petr Kolář (former ambassador to Ireland, Sweden, the USA, and Russia), Jakub Dürr (former Czech ambassador to the EU and incoming Czech ambassador to Poland), Petr Voznica (former ambassador to Iraq and Slovenia), Miroslav Kosek (former Czech ambassador to Afghanistan and Latvia) and Milena Vicenová (former Czech ambassador to the EU). 

The subject has aroused unprecedented level of interest among students and is extremely popular with them. Students have made the most of the unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of diplomatic practice very actively, as evidenced by the excellent discussions with invited guests and the large number of questions they regularly ask them. 

In the spring semester, another course will follow: “How do they see us? The Czech Republic and its European partners”. It is based on the same principle and as guests, it will feature prominent diplomats from European countries working in the Czech Republic. We are already looking forward to welcoming them to our faculty.