Exploring the world of diplomacy: students meet experts at Clingendael
Education
First-year students in the Advanced MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) wrapped up their first couple of weeks with a welcome event at Huys Clingendael, exploring international affairs, meeting experts and discovering opportunities beyond the classroom.
The Clingendael Institute is a key partner in the MIRD programme, providing students with a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience. This annual event highlighted the importance of this established relationship, pressing academic topics and professional opportunities.
A welcome from Clingendael’s new director Bob Deen
This event introduced Clingendael’s new General Director, Bob Deen, to the MIRD students. He has over 20 years of experience working in various positions in intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, including roles with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union.
To open the event, Bob Deen welcomed the students with an in-depth discussion of current events and an outlook on what the future holds for researchers and diplomats. As a leading think tank, Clingendael provides a valuable environment for students to explore various areas of international affairs. This expertise was evident throughout the event. Tobias von Lossow served as the event’s main moderator. He is a Research Fellow at Clingendael’s EU and Global Affairs Research Unit and a member of the Critical Resources Programme.
Bringing Clingendael’s expertise into the classroom
Clingendael has worked alongside Leiden University on MIRD for years. From the Negotiation course to specialised electives, students have benefited from Clingendael’s Research and Academy divisions during their time in the programme. Panellists Luuk Pepers and Louise van Schaik showcased Clingendael’s work in these two areas.
Within the Academy, the focus on training Dutch and international groups in various fields is also central to the activities students take part in. On the research side, Clingendael is actively exploring and developing its teams’ areas of expertise, which are reflected in the elective courses open to students.
Offering Leiden University’s perspective, Jaroslaw Kantorowicz, Assistant Professor, and Madeleine Hosli, Professor of International Relations, spoke about developments in the partnership between MIRD and Clingendael over the years, while looking to the future with enthusiasm and ambition. The panel was moderated by Tobias von Lossow, who also serves as Partner Programme Liaison.
Understanding strategic foresight
Giving students a taste of Clingendael’s research, the second panel featured Liam Klein, Research Fellow in the Strategic Foresight Programme, and Kaspar Pucek, Senior Research Fellow within the Security Unit and the Russia & Eastern Europe Centre (CREEC). Klein and Pucek engaged in a stimulating conversation about strategic foresight. From addressing misconceptions about the topic to answering student questions on geopolitics and security, they provided a closer look at what their research covers and how it is taken into consideration by various stakeholders.
Internship experiences and new connections
In the last panel, three interns took the stage to discuss their journeys with Clingendael and MIRD. Chiara Matarazzo, a current second-year student, Anna Hoefnagels, a MIRD 2026 alumna, and Robin Neumann, a MIRD 2024 alumna, shared their internship stories and how these experiences have inspired them in their professional journeys.
With excitement building amoung the new cohort, the Clingendael Institute concluded the welcome event with a networking reception where staff, alumni and students could connect with each other. This allowed students to get to know the staff, learn about their backgrounds and hear about courses they will have the opportunity to take in the coming months.
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First-year MIRD students outside the Clingendael Huys -
Clingendael's New General Director Bob Deen giving opening statement -
Mr. Luuk Pepers, Dr. Louise van Schaik, Dr. Jaroslaw Kantorowicz, and Prof. Madeleine Hosli spoke to students on the Leiden University and Clingendael Partnership -
Dr. Liam Klein and Dr. Kasper Pucek speaking to students about strategic foresight -
First-year MIRD students listening to MIRD alumni on their internship experiences at Clingendael -
MIRD alumni, Ms. Anna Hoefnagels, Ms. Chiara Matarazzo, and Ms. Robin Neumann (online) sharing their Clingendael internship journey and advice -
First-year MIRD students and staff outside the Clingendael Huys
MSc International Relations and Diplomacy
The two-year Advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) programme offers students a unique blend of academic education in international relations and political science with practical graduate education and training in international negotiation and diplomacy. Students attend a wide range of courses, develop their analytical and research skills, take on an internship, write their master’s thesis, and build network with experts in relevant fields. Upon graduation students are prepared to take on positions in international organisations, politics, and diplomacy; or for PhD research.