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Economic Diplomacy online course

Start date: 13 October 2025

Economic diplomacy deals with the nexus between power and wealth in international affairs.

Economic diplomacy not only promotes the state’s prosperity but also, as occasion demands and opportunity permits, manipulates its foreign commercial and financial relations in support of its foreign policy – as in the case of sanctions against Iran. Accordingly, economic diplomacy is a major theme of the external relations of virtually all countries. At home, economic ministries, trade and investment promotion bodies, chambers of commerce, and of course foreign ministries, are all participants in economic work. Current trends include increasing collaboration between state and non-official agencies, and increased importance given to WTO issues, the negotiation of free trade and preferential trade agreements, and accords covering investments, double taxation avoidance, financial services and the like. Abroad, embassies, consulates, and trade offices handle economic diplomacy. The main focus is on promotion, to attract foreign business, investments, technology and tourists. Economic diplomacy connects closely with political, public and other segments of diplomatic work. This online course is practice-oriented, and aims at capacity development.

Reviews

Economic Diplomacy

Text – Philip Bob Jusu

uvnTPCQz Philip Bob Jusu alumni reviewsWhat I liked about the course was how knowledgeable and proactive the training team was. The lecturers used a structured approach to deliver the course, providing lots of useful handouts and documentation. They also followed up on every post and responded in real time to questions and comments, thereby encouraging everyone to think outside the box and reflect on how to develop their economic diplomacy skills further.

– Mr Philip Bob Jusu, Socio-Economic Officer, African Union Permanent Mission to the EU, Belgium

Text – María José Torillo Medrano

María José Torillo Medrano - Diplo AlumnaThe course provides helpful information and insights enriched by discussions with experienced lecturers and peers from different nationalities and backgrounds. It encourages interesting exchanges of ideas, sources, practical examples, and good practices, which is valuable for diplomats and other international professionals.

– Ms María José Torillo Medrano, Consul for Cultural Affairs and Citizens’ Services, Consulate General of Mexico, Shanghai, P.R. China

Text – Harriet Sexton Morel

Diplo alumna Harriet Sexton Morel I found the course incredibly useful. The lecturers were knowledgeable, informed, and willing to share their learning and experience. The interactive nature of the course and the opportunity to engage with other participants from across the globe was very beneficial. The course is particularly useful for those diplomats responsible for economic affairs and a ‘must to do’ before going on a posting.

– Ms Harriet Sexton Morel, Deputy Director for Oceania, Pacific and Strategy, Asia Pacific Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland

Text – Marcela Mancera

Marcela Celorio Mancera alumni reviewsThe course equipped me with the skills needed to represent my country’s demands abroad. The subject of ‘economic sanctions’ captured my special interest and allowed me to understand the importance of cultivating strong economic alliances with business and nonprofit organisations and how this interacts with the promotion of economic interests and investments. I highly recommend the course as an innovative professional resource adaptable to any career background.

– Ms Marcela Mancera, Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico

Text – Bamituni Etomi Abamu

Bamituni Etomi Abamu alumni reviewsThe course lecturers have experience in this field and took a practical approach to economic diplomacy. What I did not expect was to learn from my fellow classmates. They shared their knowledge and valuable experiences, especially how investment and trade promotion work in their countries. This was a feature that really stood out.

– Mr Bamituni Etomi Abamu, Doctoral Researcher in Economics and Finance, University of Gdansk, Faculty of Economics, Poland

Text – Lilia Paola Ureña Martínez

u4RYTHrV Lilia Paola Urena Martinez alumni reviewsI found this course very useful because it provides you with the fundamental tools for advancing your knowledge on everyday promotional tasks. I learned many things and gained fruitful insights through thought-provoking exchanges with other professionals from around the globe and the highly experienced lecturers. Don’t forget to read the resources given by Diplo, they are an absolute delight!

– Ms Lilia Paola Ureña Martínez, Consul of Economic Affairs, Consulate General of Mexico, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Text – Beverley McDonald

 Accessories, Earring, Jewelry, Body Part, Face, Head, Neck, Person, Photography, Portrait, Adult, Female, Woman, Thoko DidizaThe course enhances my knowledge of economics and trade while improving my professional skills. It offers valuable insights into understanding how economic diplomacy connects closely with politics, the public and other work via trade offices, embassies, consulates, and specially appointed trade envoys.

– Ms Beverley McDonald, Senior Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Guyana

Text – Naheeda Fokeerbux

hkBUsJJa Naheeda Fokeerbux alumni reviewsThis course was extremely informative and delivered in a way that was engaging, clear, and concise. I received numerous valuable inputs through class discussions. Also, the course materials are detailed, well-structured, and most importantly, updated to current situations.

– Ms Naheeda Fokeerbux, Management Support Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration & International Trade, Mauritius

Text – Laura Elena Montes de Oca Briseño

Dz7UkTnb Laura Elena Montes de Oca Briseno alumni reviewsThe course is well organised and comprehensive, and teaches you the practical and theoretical terms of economic diplomacy. It helped me grasp the key toolsets and skills and how to implement them, and to be an avid promoter of economic diplomacy at a professional level.

– Ms Laura Elena Montes de Oca Briseño, Advisor to the Undersecretary for North America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico

Text – Alfonso Sesma Julián

Alfonso Sesma Julián - Diplo AlumnusThe course gave me new tools for my professional performance. I highlight the course’s practical approach and enriched content thanks to the exchange of experiences between participants, as well as the expertise and commitment of the teaching staff.

– Mr Alfonso Sesma Julián, Investment and Tourism Promotion, Embassy of Mexico, China

Text – Berenice Díaz Ceballos

wnEHe0N9 Berenice Diaz Ceballos alumni reviewsIt was an awesome, eye-opening, interesting, and very formative experience that helped to broaden my perspective on the complex scenario of economic diplomacy in our increasingly changing world. It gives you an accurate and updated view, as well as the tools you need to face the many challenges of economic diplomacy in the 21st century.

– Ms Berenice Díaz Ceballos, Head, Consulate of Mexico, Oxnard, California, USA

What will you learn?

  • Describe how economic diplomacy has evolved, and how it plays a key role in international affairs, connecting closely with domestic priorities and development objectives in states.
  • Explain the role played by different actors, state and non-states, in the development of ‘whole of country’ policies, and how a good diplomatic system works with all the key stakeholders.
  • Apply the learning to the running of a commercial or economic section, and to the manner in which commerce chambers of individual enterprises can work with the foreign ministry and with diplomatic missions in the commercial and economic arena.
  • Apply the learning also to the promotion of exchanges of business delegations, and participation in trade exhibitions.
  • Assess current trends in the framework conditions of international trade and other economic exchanges.

How will you learn?

In this course you will interact intensively in discussions with classmates and lecturers from around the world. You will receive guidance and personalised feedback on your classwork from the course team.

How long will you learn?

The course lasts for 10 weeks:

  • 1 week of course introduction and orientation to online learning
  • 8 weeks of addressing the course topics one by one (see below for more details)
  • 1 week for the final assignment and completing pending tasks

Course lecturers

Marília Maciel

Head of Digital Commerce & Internet Policy, Diplo

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Asoke Mukerji

Former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, New York

Rashid S. Kaukab

Senior Expert, International Trade and Development Negotiations

Who should apply

This course will be of interest to:

  • Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations
  • Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats
  • Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy
  • Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people, and others who wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics

Overview

The course consists of 8 modules:

  1. The evolution of economic diplomacy: Diplomacy starts with trade: consulates precede ‘embassies’; the Levant Company sets up the English embassy in Constantinople, 1583; the subsequent advance of high politics; the age of imperialism and the slow recovery of economic diplomacy. Diplomacy ends with trade: growth of importance of international trade and capital flows (even to USA); new political need of diplomatic services to respond to business lobbies at home; Britain: near bankruptcy in 1945; a succession of official reports insists on overriding priority of commerce.
  2. Economic diplomacy today: the definitions of economic diplomacy; principal content; the stages traversed by countries in practice of economic diplomacy; public diplomacy, image management and economic diplomacy; how economic diplomacy connects with other branches of diplomatic work; working with home actors, learning from them.
  3. The regulatory environment and the domestic context: extent and consequences of ‘managed trade’; dumping and complaints procedures; trade negotiations; role of chambers of commerce and industry associations; special role of embassies in such domestic outreach; role of think tanks and NGOs; public diplomacy dimension of trade.
  4. The embassy economic section: the staff of the economic section, including the importance of locally engaged staff; the position of the section within the embassy and comparisons between diplomatic services; how many ambassadors have had significant experience of economic diplomacy? Does this suggest that economic diplomacy has the real priority that the usual rhetoric suggests? If not, why not?
  5. Trade and investment promotion: importance of trade, focus on exports, pursuit of new markets and new products; dispute settlement and role of official agencies; value and domestic role of foreign direct investment (FDI), portfolio, private equity and other forms of investment; broad and targeted promotion; role of specialised agencies; two-way FDI flows.
  6. Craft skills: Business delegations and trade exhibitions: country promotion exhibitions and specialised trade fairs; selection, observation and participation; exhibition techniques and best practices; organisation of business delegations; role of missions in both outbound and homebound groups; planning, preparation and follow-up; delegations accompanying summit and other official visits.
  7. Economic sanctions: why economic sanctions became popular in the 20th century; the variety of purposes they are designed to serve; the different kinds of sanctions; the role of embassies; how states defend themselves against sanctions, including cultivation of business lobbies (e.g. South Africa under apartheid; Iraq under Saddam; Iran today); smart sanctions versus stupid sanctions.
  8. WTO and Free Trade Areas (FTAs): basic features of the multilateral trading system; WTO process and its future; likely outcomes of current, convoluted negotiations; preferential trade agreements (PTAs), including commonalities and differences; are FTAs and PTAs building or stumbling blocks to a multilateral trading system?

Methodology

The Economic Diplomacy online course is based on a collaborative learning approach, involving a high level of interaction over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and the necessary tools for online interaction are provided in a virtual classroom.

Each week, participants study and discuss course materials and complete additional online activities. At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet to discuss the topic of the week. For successful completion, this course requires a minimum of 5 to 7 hours of study time per week.

Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate issued by Diplo, which can be printed or shared electronically.

Prerequisites

All course applicants must have regular internet access (broadband is preferred). 

Applicants for certificate courses must have:

  • An undergraduate university degree OR 3 years of work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations
  • Sufficient English language skills to undertake postgraduate-level studies

Fees and scholarships

The fee for this course is €690

Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% discount on the fee for this course.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries. Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. 

You can apply for this course as:

How to apply

Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.

Applying for financial assistance? Please indicate this on the application form, upload your CV, and a motivation statement that should include:

  • Details of your relevant professional and educational background
  • Reasons for your interest in the course
  • Why do you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course? How will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?

Please note that financial assistance from Diplo is available only to applicants from developing countries! 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available in the course.

Cancellation policy

Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.