IPSA-Concordia Summer Institute in Applied Diplomacy in August 2025

We are pleased to announce that the IPSA-Concordia Summer Institute in Applied Diplomacy will be held from 18-28 August 2025, in Montréal, Canada, and virtually.

This exciting program, hosted at Concordia University, in the heart of Montréal, offers a mixture of theoretical and applied sessions on all aspects of diplomacy as well as a hands-on applied Diplomacy Lab and the opportunity to interact with some of the world’s leading experts on diplomacy from academic and policy backgrounds. Through field trips to Global Affairs Canada and the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), participants will also explore practitioners’ points of view and have the opportunity to network with Montréal’s vibrant international community.

We invite all graduate students, young researchers and professionals to participate in the upcoming IPSA-Concordia Summer Institute in Applied Diplomacy.

Academic Leaders
Elizabeth Bloodgood, Professor of Political Science, Concordia, Kim Fontaine-Skronski, Executive Director, IPSA

Course Outline

• Introduction: The Evolution of Diplomacy
• Diplomacy in International Relations Theory
• Traditional Diplomacy – States, International Organizations
• Changing Diplomacy – Agencies, Non-State Actors
• International Negotiations, Past and Present
• Digital Diplomacy
• Municipal Diplomacy
• Trade Negotiations
• International Law and Norms of Diplomacy
• Environmental Negotiations
• Scientific Diplomacy
• Arctic Diplomacy
• Indigenous Diplomacy

Educational Field Trips

Global Affairs Canada
A virtual field trip to Global Affairs Canada, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations based in Ottawa, Canada, will be organized so all participants (credit and non-credit options) can take part in this exciting visit.

ICAO
Students will also meet leaders of the Montréal-based United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization as well as participate in networking events with diplomats and governmental officials. Please note that this field trip is only in person.

Application Deadline

Credit Option: Applications are due by 5 May 2025 to be eligible for a grant. IPSA will offer three grants of $335.00 USD to the top student applicants who apply by this deadline (either for in-person or online applicants). For those who do not wish to apply for a grant, they can still register by 8 August 2025 or until spaces are filled. 

Non-Credit Option: Applications are due by 10 August 2025 or until spaces are filled. Sessions will be offered in virtual form over the Zoom platform. Students will not be able to participate in the in-person field trip to ICAO.

Contact Information and Questions

For more information, please visit the Summer Institute page.  

Questions about the IPSA-Concordia Summer Institute, and application processes, can be sent to ipsasummerschool@concordia.ca.