Diplomacy for Brussels
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For schools

A diplomacy session in your classroom

Two periods with a final-year secondary class, free of charge, in French or in Dutch. Pupils discover how states that do not trust each other still manage to decide together, then write the questions that a delegate of the association will take to New York.

Book a sessionDownload the fact sheet (PDF)

At a glance

AudienceOne final-year secondary class, all tracks, no prior knowledge needed.
LengthTwo 50-minute periods with the same class. A one-period version, the course only, is possible.
LanguageIn French or in Dutch, with the same content.
CostFree for the school and for the pupils.
WhenBetween late November and mid-December 2026.
Who teachesA member of the association trained on a written outline, with the teacher present.

The session, minute by minute

Period 1 · The course

Introduction to diplomacy and the United Nations

  1. 5 minDiplomacy or not ? Everyday situations, from a stamp to 4G, to see that diplomacy is everywhere.
  2. 8 minWhat diplomacy is : mandated representatives who negotiate rather than coerce.
  3. 6 minWhy states follow rules without a world police.
  4. 10 minThe levels : bilateral, European, UN. Council of the EU, European Council, Council of Europe ; the Security Council and the veto.
  5. 4 minTypes of diplomacy.
  6. 5 minHow negotiation works : mandate, red line, compromise.
  7. 3 minBrussels and you : the diplomatic capital, and the ways into these careers.
  8. 5 minThe UN Youth Forum, the New York mission and the question the class will write.

Period 2 · The mandate workshop

Pupils write what the association will take to New York

  1. 5 minThe brief : what a mandate is, what can be asked, and to whom.
  2. 15 minIn small groups, each group drafts its questions.
  3. 10 minPooling on the board : eight to twelve questions are kept.
  4. 10 minThe class ranks three and words the position the association will defend on its behalf.
  5. 5 minReading of the mandate, signed by the pupils, countersigned by the teacher.

The mandate leaves the classroom dated and signed. After New York, a video prepared with the answers obtained is sent to the pupils and shown at the closing evening. The one-period version covers the course only, without the workshop or participation in the New York project.

What pupils take away

Understand

How sovereign states, with no authority above them, still manage to decide together.

Practise

Draft together, sort, argue, and arrive at a text the whole class signs.

Look ahead

Know that these institutions are fifteen minutes away by tram, and which doors lead into them.

What the school provides

  • Two periods with the same class, ideally back to back.
  • A room with a projector.
  • The teacher present throughout the session.
  • For the New York project : the teacher countersigns the mandate.

What we guarantee

  • Neutral content : we explain how things work, never an opinion.
  • No photo or video of pupils without prior written parental consent, passed on by the school.
  • A facilitator trained on a written outline.
  • A first meeting with the head or the teacher before the session.

The fact sheet for school heads

One page to print or forward : the session plan, the conditions and the contact.

Download the fact sheet (PDF)

Book a session

We get back to you within three working days to set up a first meeting. Nothing is committed at this stage.

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost ?
Nothing. The session is free for the school and the pupils, with no counterpart and no commitment beyond it.
How long and for which class ?
Two 50-minute periods with the same final-year class, all tracks, ideally back to back. A one-period version, limited to the course, is possible. A room with a projector and the presence of the class teacher are enough.
Are prerequisites needed ?
None. The course starts from examples pupils already know and builds the concepts with them.
Does the course take sides ?
No. It explains how institutions work, uses no ongoing conflict as a central example and takes no position on any political debate. The rule is written in the facilitator's outline.
And images of the pupils ?
No image is captured without prior written parental consent, passed on by the school. Without it, no photo is taken.
How to book ?
Through the booking form, or by e-mail to contact@diplomacyforbrussels.be with the school's name and the desired period. We set up a first meeting, in person or online.