Experience the life of a diplomat
Are you fascinated by international affairs? Do you plan on being an Ambassador, working for the Peace Corps or representing your country in international negotiations? At the National Student Leadership Conference on International Diplomacy program for high school students, you will discover the complexities of the international system as you live the life of a diplomat in the United Nations Security Council and tackle the challenges that face our world.
Explore this program:
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Interactive Career Simulations
The NSLC on International Diplomacy uses an interactive approach to learning that gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of world affairs. You will step into the shoes of a delegate on the United Nations Security Council. You will need to advocate for your country’s interests as you negotiate resolutions to some of today’s most pressing global problems, including nuclear proliferation, conflict in the Middle East and children in armed conflict. Once you’ve mastered the art of diplomatic negotiation, you and your team will have the opportunity to create your own international system as you develop a country from the ground up, building the economic and social institutions that will give your country power in the international arena.
Meet Diplomatic Professionals
While at the NSLC you will meet with and learn from leaders in the diplomatic field. In past years, NSLC students have heard from special guest speakers including the Secretary of State, the President of the World Bank and Ambassadors representing countries all over the world.
- Dr. Debrework Zewdie, Director, Global HIV/AIDS Program
- Ambassadors to the United States
- Afghanistan, Belgium, Colombia, Jordan, Finland, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Sierra Leone, Thailand
- Mr. Robert Tschetter, Director, Peace Corps
- Dr. Coleman McCarthy, Founder, Center for Teaching Peace
- Dr. Richard Solomon, Director, U.S. Institute of Peace
- • Mr. Folabi Olagbaju, Regiona Director, Amnesty International
College-Level Curriculum
At the NSLC’s youth leadership in international diplomacy program, you will enjoy college-level lectures on the basics of international relations. The lecture series will provide a foundation for success, not only during the conference but in your future career in international relations.
Topics include:
- Theories of International Relations
- International Organizations
- International Law and Globalization
- Refugees & Human Rights
- Peace & Conflict
Leadership Workshops
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the International Diplomacy program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Public Speaking, Negotiation
- Conflict Resolution
- Ethical Decision-Making
- Intrapersonal Communication
Trips & Tours
An important part of the NSLC’s high school program for international diplomacy is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sight-seeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of International Diplomacy:
Washington, D.C.
- The State Department
- Foreign Embassies to the United States (Finland, France, Thailand)
- U.S. Institute of Peace
- Baltimore Harbor
- Capitol Hill
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
Side-trip to New York City, NY
- The United Nations
- Ellis Island
- Times Square
- Rockefeller Plaza
Sample Schedule
Day 1
- Registration
- Campus Tours
- Welcome Session
- TA Group Orientation
Day 2
- Lecture Series: Theories of International Relations
- Ropes Challenge Course
- Leadership Series: The Personality Matrix and Group Dynamics
- Dessert Social
Day 3
- AU Credit Option
- Country Briefing
- Guest Speaker
- Security Council Simulation
- Leadership Workshop: Ethics
- Game Night
Day 4
- Travel to New York City
- Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty
- Times Square
- Check-in to Hotel
Day 5
- United Nations Visit
- Return to Washington, D.C.
Day 6
- U.S. State Department Visit
- Guest Speaker
- Security Council Simulation
- Lecture Series: International Organizations and International Law
- Washington at Night Tour
- Jefferson Memorial
- FDR Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials
- Iwo Jima Memorial
Day 7
- Capitol Hill and the Smithsonian Institution
- Congressional Visits
- Library of Congress
- Air and Space Museum
- National Gallery of Art
- American History Museum
- And many more
- Security Council Simulation
- World Simulation
- TA Group Meeting
- Ice Cream Social
Day 8
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Visit
- Security Council Simulation
- Leadership Series: Ethics in International Diplomacy
- Lecture Series: Globalization and Actors in Global Affairs
- Leadership Workshop: Public Speaking
- World Simulation
- Pizza Party
Day 9
- Embassy Visit (partial list of possible embassies)
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Chile
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Mexico
- Russia
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- World Simulation
- Leadership Workshop: Conflict Resolution
- Baltimore Harbor Visit
Day 10
- Security Council Simulation
- Cross-Cultural Communication Simulation
- Final TA Group Meeting
- DJ Dance
Day 11
- Closing Ceremony
- Departure
