Partners 2026: Diplomacy in the World Shaped by Nature

The successful organization of the 19th Summer School for Young Diplomats would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners, whose commitment continues to strengthen this unique platform for dialogue, learning and international cooperation.

Under this year’s theme, “From Rules to Reality: Diplomacy in the Age of Motion”,  participants explored how diplomacy must continuously adapt to a rapidly changing world shaped by geopolitical shifts, technological transformation and the growing urgency of environmental challenges. The programme encouraged young diplomats to move beyond principles on paper and consider how international rules are translated into meaningful action.

This reflection gained additional significance as Montenegro marked the 35th anniversary of the Declaration on the Ecological State – visionary commitment that recognized environmental protection as a constitutional value. Three and a half decades later, the Declaration reminds us that diplomacy must respond not only to political realities, but also to the realities imposed by nature itself.

Our sincere thanks go to UNDP Montenegro for its longstanding partnership and continued support. By supporting the Summer School, UNDP Montenegro contributes to preparing the next generation of leaders in foreign affairs to address contemporary global challenges with knowledge, cooperation and a commitment to sustainable development.

Our special gratitude goes to National Parks of Montenegro, whose partnership offered participants a unique opportunity to experience Montenegro’s extraordinary natural heritage while reflecting on the growing importance of environmental protection and climate action in contemporary diplomacy. Their contribution enriched this year’s programme by connecting discussions in the classroom with the realities of the natural world, demonstrating that effective diplomacy begins with understanding the environment we all depend on.

As the programme concluded, participants were left with a powerful reminder that diplomacy in the age of motion requires more than negotiation and dialogue. It calls for the ability to bridge rules and reality, to anticipate change, and to recognize that the future of international cooperation is inseparable from the future of our planet.