Speakers 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders in Foreign and Security Affairs
We’re proud to celebrate the success of the 19th Summer School for Young Diplomats – made possible by an exceptional community of speakers.
This year, more than 30 distinguished speakers – including ambassadors, professors, representatives of international organisations, policymakers, and international affairs analysts — shared their expertise and experience with our participants.
Through a dynamic programme combining keynote lectures, panel discussions, interactive workshops, study visits, networking opportunities, and protocol events, they helped create an inspiring learning environment that encouraged dialogue, critical thinking, and professional development.
To all of our speakers: thank you for your time, dedication, and invaluable contributions. Your knowledge, perspectives, and willingness to engage with the next generation of leaders in foreign and security affairs made this year’s Summer School a truly enriching and memorable experience.
💬 "The Summer School for Young Diplomats is unique & important. It's an opportunity to help them understand their role and the world they are going to be working in as they go about their jobs in the future." – Kurt Volker, Former US Ambassador to NATO. pic.twitter.com/sikclrS5Ot
— Young Diplomats (@YD_Montenegro) June 30, 2026
💬 “This school is bringing people from across different countries to think together about the great problems of our time in diplomacy. I do think we have never needed it as much as we do today” – Adil Najam, President of WWF International & Professor at Boston University. pic.twitter.com/eNSKp3ss6Z
— Young Diplomats (@YD_Montenegro) July 1, 2026
💬 “It’s great that Montenegro organizes this Summer School – diplomacy, after all, is about relationships” – Christoph Heusgen
Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (2022–2025). pic.twitter.com/pKDNSQmIQE— Young Diplomats (@YD_Montenegro) July 1, 2026
💬 “Diplomacy is a contact sport. Diplomacy requires people-to-people relations. And I think, despite artificial intelligence and other technological innovations, the human element will always remain paramount”. – Charles Powell, Director of the Elcano Royal Institute. pic.twitter.com/cIlIEm9DBx
— Young Diplomats (@YD_Montenegro) July 1, 2026
💬 “We need diplomats because we need dialogue, and we need to build trust among ourselves. We need to understand each other & that's why the purpose of diplomacy in an ever more dangerous world is so important” – Sébastien Maillard, Special Advisor, Jacques Delors Institute. pic.twitter.com/TEQEuUQD40
— Young Diplomats (@YD_Montenegro) June 30, 2026