The Brussels Diplomatic Academy (BDA) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) launched the House of Diplomacy yesterday. The launch, which took place exactly 10 years after the establishment of the BDA itself, was attended by members of the Brussels diplomatic corps, business leaders, academics, lawyers, civil servants and students: the groups for which the House of Diplomacy was created. The House of Diplomacy provides the BDA with a unique space to meet, discuss issues of mutual interest, participate in events, network and develop relationships between communities.
Gunter Gaublomme, director and founder of the BDA, took the floor at the launch. He spoke about the BDA’s achievements over the past decade and highlighted the training that it continues to provide in economic diplomacy and international business.
“The House of Diplomacy not only answers the needs of the diplomatic corps but also acts as a composite space to grow with its members,” he said. “In this way, solution building between people approaching the same issues from completely opposite angles can only improve.”
House of Diplomacy activities are put together and supported by academics, practitioners and other experts. They include round table discussions, reading series with prominent speakers, training sessions and social functions. With its membership-oriented and inclusive approach, the House of Diplomacy profiles itself as a distinctive hub for collaboration and relationship building. Additionally, the BDA offers education and training programmes, webinars, lectures and conferences, knowledge and connections, which enable participants to excel in their fields.