Humanitarian diplomacy is persuading decision-makers and opinion leaders to act, at all times, in the interests of vulnerable people and with full respect for fundamental humanitarian principles.
The rapid expansion of the number of humanitarian actors in recent years, working for or with governments at all levels and often in complex situations, makes humanitarian diplomacy increasingly important. Humanitarian diplomacy aims to mobilise public and governmental support and resources for humanitarian operations and programmes and to facilitate effective partnerships for responding to the needs of vulnerable people. Humanitarian diplomacy includes advocacy, negotiation, communication, formal agreements, and other measures. It is a field with many players, including governments, international organisations, NGOs, the private sector, and individuals.
The Humanitarian Diplomacy online diploma course is delivered by DiploFoundation in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Course faculty draws on leading experts from around the world, as resource people and guest lecturers. The diversity of the teaching team takes account of the importance of the course reaching people from everywhere in the world, from all sorts of backgrounds and with all sorts of values. More details on the course team can be found in the ‘What are the course objectives?’ section below.
This course is currently offered in English, however, participants who are more comfortable with French or Spanish will have the option to write and submit some course assignments and the final research paper in either of those languages.
The course is an eye-opener for diplomacy, advocacy, and policy engagement within the humanitarian sector on the global level. The content was comprehensive and well designed, and the instructors were very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. Their feedback on our classwork widened our perspectives.
– Ms Mary Zaki, Humanitarian Diplomacy Fellow, American Red Cross National Headquarters, Washington, DC, USA
Thanks to this course, I have gained valuable knowledge and professional skills that have transformed the way I approach humanitarian diplomacy. I am now better equipped to negotiate and persuade decision makers on behalf of vulnerable communities and beneficiaries, representing the Somali Red Crescent Society with confidence and expertise.
– Mr Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director, Integrated Health Care (IHC), Somali Red Crescent Society
The course gave me immersive, critical, and dynamic skills best suited to my profession whilst still working for my organisation. I have gained incredible confidence and exposure. I had the best experience with lectures and students from various parts of the world with different backgrounds. It was very easy to learn as I found everything I need in one place.
– Ms Ivy Chifundo Chihana, Senior Legal Advisor, Office of the Commissioner for Refugees; Supervisor, Refugees Status Determination Unit, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Malawi
Both professionally and personally, I now have a broader understanding of the humanitarian world, its fundamental laws and principles, and the different actors who are part of it. This has expanded my thinking about possible partnerships and alliances in order to strengthen my work in the Federation, and the different aspects and steps I need to consider in order to make such partnerships happen.
Note: Read an interview with Margarita on Diplo’s blog.
– Ms Margarita Griffith, Learning Officer, America Zone Office, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Panama
This course offers skills development in advocacy, negotiation, communication, formal agreements, and other measures through sharing experiences with students from around the world and with distinguished professors. It was a wonderful course. I have gained a lot of experience which I now use it in my field.
– Mr Fadi Jadallah, Syrian Arab Red Crescent /DRC Projects Coordinator, Damascus, Syria
What was most valuable and had a direct impact on my work was the frequent and direct exchange with several very experienced humanitarian diplomacy practitioners – both through the weekly online discussion sessions and through an individually assigned tutor during the research phase. I really got a lot of valuable input and advice out of that. Most of all, learning was interesting and enjoyable because of all that interaction.
– Ms Barbara Busch, Advocacy Advisor International Cooperation, Austrian Red Cross
As a non-Red-Cross participant, this course helped me understand the humanitarian world. I acquired technical skills for practicing humanitarian diplomacy theories and principles in different situations. I found the course very beneficial because it helped me develop research and other skills and knowledge required in the workplace. The course also opened doors for networking with experienced humanitarian diplomacy practitioners representing the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and NGOs.
– Mr Ali Firushan, Desk Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Maldives
Completing the Humanitarian Diplomacy course was an incredibly enriching experience for me. The course’s lecturers fostered analytical thinking and led stimulating discussions on urgent humanitarian diplomacy actions worldwide. I strengthened my diplomatic skills and gained valuable tools that are instrumental in my professional growth, while the well-designed online classroom format made learning a joy.
– Ms Gladys C. Fernandez, Program Manager, Global Partnerships, American Red Cross, USA
Quelle expérience merveilleuse que le cours de diplomatie humanitaire. L’agencement des différentes sessions et programmes nous permet une compréhension totale des différentes étapes telles que la négociation, la médiation, et la collaboration avec les populations en situation de détresse. Pour une personne voulant intégrer le système des N.U, ce cours est un tremplin pour une bonne maîtrise de l’action humanitaire. On y apprend toute une panoplie de thèmes des principes humanitaires, du protocole de la Fédération Internationale de la Croix Rouge en passant par les acteurs humanitaires. J’y ai acquis des connaissances en diplomatie humanitaire et en négociation sans oublier mes nouveaux amis dans le monde entier. Le cours est certes en anglais mais avec un niveau de langue accessible à tous.
– Ms Akissi Ghislaine-Aurelie Kouame, Chargee de Zone Projet Resocialisation des Mineurs en Difficulte avec la Loi Man Cote d’Ivoire, Chef Projet Désarmement Communautaire Zone Ouest Cote d’Ivoire
The most valuable part of the course was learning from the contributions of other students. The classroom was filled with people from all over the world with tangible experience in responding to disasters, armed conflict, health issues, and development and emergency situations. Their experiences highlighted where humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy works in reality, and where the theory needs to be reworked or reconceptualised to fit the real world.
Note: Read an interview with Richard on Diplo’s blog.
– Mr Richard Slade, Assistant/Project Officer, International Humanitarian Law and Movement Relations, Australian Red Cross
It was great to work together with the course lecturers and participants as they all had unique contributions to make, and I learned from all of them. The course material is rich and can benefit people with varied levels of professional experience and backgrounds. I am already putting what I learned to good use and hope I will have more opportunities to use it in the coming years.
– Ms Dana Truhlarova Cristescu, Senior Cash and Markets Advisor, UNICEF/CashCap
– Mr Dolf van Muijen, Asylum and Migration Advisor, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Netherlands
– Ms Violeta Lombarts, Head of Country Office, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Ukraine
– Ms Lydia Mukaye, World Vision East Africa Regional Office, Kenya
– Mr Georgios Frantzis, Refugee Response Field Coordinator, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Cyprus
What are the course objectives?
The online course will extend the knowledge base and develop the practical skills of current and future practitioners in humanitarian diplomacy and policy.
To achieve its objectives, the course will:
What will you learn?
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 13 weeks:
Former Australian Ambassador and Humanitarian Diplomacy Head, IFRC
Former Head, Regional Delegation for North Africa, International Committee of the Red Cross
Former Secretary of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Former Head of National Society Development, IFRC Geneva, and Head of Country Cluster / Regional Delegations in Various Locations, IFRC
This course will be of interest to:
Please note that this course is quite demanding in terms of time and commitment, requiring 7 - 10 hours of study time per week. Before you apply, please consider carefully whether you can commit the necessary time in order to complete the course successfully. Where appropriate, please make sure you obtain the endorsement of your line manager to attend this course.
The course consists of 8 modules, as follows:
Module 0 – Orientation to online learning: During this short module, participants will be introduced to the online classroom and the tools for communication and interaction that they will use during the course. Participants will also be guided through practice exercises and will have the chance to ask questions and request assistance as needed.
Module 1 – Introduction to humanitarian diplomacy: This module defines humanitarian diplomacy, its components, and related concepts. It introduces the IFRC Humanitarian Diplomacy Policy and its four signposts for action. Next, it discusses how humanitarian diplomacy has evolved, and its relevance in current complex operational contexts. The module concludes by looking at the profile of a humanitarian diplomat.
Module 2 – Humanitarian diplomacy toolkit: This module offers a set of tools for understanding, developing, and implementing humanitarian diplomacy activities. These include humanitarian principles, international law, the evidence-based approach, and communication skills. Practically speaking, the toolkit helps humanitarian diplomats engage in debate, argue in favour of their positions, persuade interlocutors, and find creative solutions for overcoming stalemates in policy discussions.
Module 3 – Who are humanitarian diplomacy actors? This module surveys the evolution of modern humanitarian diplomacy actors. It starts from the creation of what is now the RCRC Movement and its pivotal place in the establishment of non-governmental humanitarian action. It proceeds with an examination of the RCRC Movement’s national and international characteristics, as well as the role of other actors, including national and international NGOs, national governments, international organisations, private entities, and individuals. It also covers the 1949 Geneva Conventions, their additional protocols, and other instruments of international humanitarian law.
Module 4 – Persuasion: This module focuses on persuasion in humanitarian diplomacy. It covers the three fundaments of persuasion: ethos (credibility), logos (rationality), and pathos (emotions). Following this, it looks at the actors involved in persuasion. Who should be persuaded; and who does the persuading? Finally, the module introduces tools and techniques for putting together a convincing argument, publicly or privately.
Module 5 – Persuasion strategy and methodologies: Practical guidance: This module presents a range of practical tools for developing a strong advocacy strategy. It introduces advocacy and how it happens. It explains how advocacy fits into the wider set of skills and activities that make up the humanitarian diplomacy field. It provides methods for identifying and defining an advocacy issue, and offers checklists for credibility and risk. The module presents the benefits and challenges of working in partnerships.
Module 6 – Negotiations in humanitarian diplomacy: This module introduces definitions, objectives, and negotiation theory. It looks at the specific features of humanitarian negotiations. The process of negotiation, starting from preparation and strategy, and moving into the actual negotiation, is covered. The module offers case studies of humanitarian negotiation in the multilateral, regional, and national contexts, as well as in crisis and conflict situations.
Module 7 – Humanitarian diplomacy beyond negotiations: Through examination of case studies, this module looks at using humanitarian diplomacy to ensure the implementation of a negotiated outcome, demonstrating that diplomacy does not cease with the signature of an agreement. The module covers practical considerations and obstacles to implementation.
Module 8 – Other practical skills in humanitarian diplomacy: Many practical skills are relevant to humanitarian diplomacy, including protocol, drafting, media training, public speaking, and use of social media. The module discusses each of these topics, and also covers monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian diplomacy activities.
DiploFoundation (attn Tanja Nikolic)
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This 13-week course in humanitarian diplomacy is conducted entirely online, using Diplo’s online classroom and learning methodology. The course consists of two phases: an interactive online course lasting nine weeks, immediately followed by a four-week research phase.
During the online course phase, reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. The course is based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction. Each week, participants read an assigned module text, adding questions and comments as hypertext entries. Lecturers and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the module text.
During the week, participants complete additional online activities including quizzes and group tasks. At the end of the week, participants, lecturers, and guest experts meet online in a chat room to discuss the week’s topic. Please note that due to the spread of course participants across time zones worldwide, scheduled online session times will not fall within working hours for all participants. Some participants will need to attend online sessions during the morning or evening hours.
During the research phase, participants apply their knowledge to analysing a humanitarian diplomacy action or activity. Working individually or in pairs, participants select a topic relevant to their work, country or region, and prepare a 5000-word research paper as the final assignment for the course. Each participant receives individual support and feedback from a tutor throughout this phase.
Research tutoring is provided by an extremely diverse team; some of those involved during the last two courses were:
Sahar Okhovat lives in Sydney, Australia and works as a senior policy officer with the Refugee Council of Australia. She is interested in the issues related to forced migration in general and more specifically in the use of immigration detention and deterrence policies.Â
Timothy McInerny is an Australian calling Tbilisi, Georgia home. Having spent time with civil society organisations, the Red Cross, and the UN, he is currently a global advisor with the Norwegian Refugee Council.Â
Leila Kibet is an international development professional from Kenya with years of experience in over seven countries in Eastern Africa. She currently works with the Belgium Red Cross Flanders in Tanzania as a programme delegate in the areas of Disaster Management, Disaster Risk Reduction and cash transfer programming and social protection.
Between 2008-2019, Javier Ormeno worked for the Red Cross in emergency operations and coordination around the globe. Originally from Peru, he has a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Human Rights. He is part of the Theatre of Transformation Academy and is interested in transitional justice, and arts as an advocacy tool for migrant and LGTB+ rights
Participants who complete the course successfully will receive an electronic diploma issued by Diplo and the IFRC.
Applicants must have:
The course fee is €990 per participant, due upon acceptance into the course.
Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution.
Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% discount on the fee for this course.
A limited number of partial bursaries will be available to selected candidates from developing countries who work or volunteer with their local RCRC National Society, or with other humanitarian organisations. Please indicate if you are requesting a bursary on your application form and provide the name and contact details of a reference person at your National Society or organisation.
Full bursaries are not available for this course.
Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.
Please upload the following three supporting documents in the English language with your application:
1. A current CV
2. Initial ideas for your research project (300-500 words), keeping in mind that your project should be about a humanitarian diplomacy action which took place (or is currently taking place) locally, nationally, regionally or internationally (refer to the IFRC Humanitarian Diplomacy Policy to better understand what humanitarian diplomacy is about). Please include:
Please note that you will have the chance to further develop your research project ideas during the course.
3. A motivation letter (maximum 1 page) which includes:
These are required documents and your application will not be considered without them. All supporting documents must be written in English, even if you plan to write your research paper in French or Spanish. Late applications will be considered only if places remain in the course. In case of enquiries, please contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu
On your application form please do not forget to indicate if you are applying for a partial bursary (provide contact details for a reference person at your National Society or organisation, if so), and whether you wish to write your final research paper in French or Spanish.
Diplo and the IFRC will select up to 30 qualified participants to attend this course. Preference will be given to applicants currently working in the humanitarian diplomacy field. Selected applicants will be notified after the application deadline.
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.
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