The Hague Diplomacy Podcast

In this episode, Ilen Madhavji sits down with Jorg Kustermans to unwrap the world of diplomatic gift giving and the influence it has on power dynamics. By building on The Hague Journal of Diplomacy's recent forum on this same topic, they try to understand the evolution of this practice over time, as well as how dominant and subordinate states use it differently. Additionally, the United Nations has been the recipient of diverse gifts in the form of artwork, entire rooms, and building materials for their HQ structures--what are states trying to achieve by donating these? Listen in to find out! This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

In our ninth episode, our host Sophie Vériter talks to Heidi Maurer to discuss their recent contributions to the “Diplomacy After COVID” Forum, which both focus on the European Union. Heidi and Sophie talk us through their papers’ relevance, key points, avenues for research, and takeaways for practitioners - highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that the COVID-19 pandemic has generated for the EU and its member states. They discuss how the virtual negotiations of the Council of the EU may bring about change and questions related to the role of physical presence in diplomacy, as well as the internal and external challenges that the EU faces in tackling COVID-19-related disinformation. Listen to hear our contributors’ reflections on the future of diplomacy in Europe. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

In the first episode of the new year, our host, Ilen Madhavji, builds on Episode 7 and the Journal's "Diplomacy After COVID" Forum with insights from two guests with practical experience within the world of diplomacy during COVID. Ye-Min Wu, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Singapore to the World Trade Organisation, and Rebecca Webber Gaudiosi, former representative of the US at the UN, current academic, and diplomatic trainer, touch on the pandemic's influence on multilateralism, decision-making at the highest level, and the importance of interpersonal relationships. As co-authors of "Negotiating at the United Nations: A Practitioner's Guide", our two guests walk the bridge between diplomatic practice and theory and, alongside Ilen, explore what we can take with us from this unprecedented era. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

This time, in our seventh episode, Ilen Madhavji is joined by Tristen Naylor to discuss his recent contribution to our "Diplomacy After COVID" Forum. His piece, entitled "All That’s Lost: The Hollowing of Summit Diplomacy in a Socially Distanced World", forms the starting point of their discussion on how COIVD has changed the way diplomatic summits and meetings have adapted to the new normal. Without physically being together, world leaders and diplomats have had to change the way they interact and make decisions. Listen in to hear how this has changed the concept of the summit, and what diplomacy can learn for the post-COVID era. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

Our sixth episode takes a different format than usual. Our host Ilen Madhavji speaks to Her Excellency Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of Yemen to the Netherlands, about her experiences as non-career diplomatic envoy. By touching on her multiple tasks and role as Coordinator of the Women's Ambassadors Group in The Hague's corps diplomatique, this conversation reflects the diversity of diplomacy that The Hague Journal of Diplomacy highlights through research and debate in the journal and related publications on this platform. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

For our fifth episode, we welcome Dr. Stuart Murray who speaks with us about the quickly evolving field of Sports Diplomacy. In many ways, this episode is a check-up since the 2013 Special Issue of The Hague Journal of Diplomacy that Stuart guest edited. Our host, Ilen Madhavji, explores some historical cases with Stuart, like the 1936 Berlin Olympics and Colin Kaepernick's protest, in order to illustrate the impact that sports can have on social and political movements. Also, how sports can be co-opted by states and used as a diplomatic medium to convey messages to other states is unpacked. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

For our fourth episode, Pierre-Bruno Ruffini discusses the field of science diplomacy through his perspective as a practitioner and leading academic in the field. He is also the guest editor of The Hague Journal of Diplomacy's upcoming online forum on science diplomacy. This time, our host Ilen Madhavji, helps unpack this exciting new field of study and how it has been a cooperative diplomatic tool throughout history, even amongst inter-state tensions. As a mixture of the "scientific" and "diplomatic" mindset, science diplomacy requires a unique practical and academic approach. Also, the current COVID-19 pandemic is reflected on as an example of a global crisis that calls upon science diplomacy. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

In our third episode, Birgitta Niklasson discusses her article "The Gendered Networking of Diplomats", part of our latest Special Issue on Ministries of Foreign of Affairs. In a dynamic conversation with our host Tingting Yang, she explores the gendered aspects of diplomacy, drawing on both gender theories and interviews conducted with Swedish diplomats. Gender permeates all spheres of society, not least the profession of diplomacy. Diplomats, while managing interpersonal relations, are also constantly navigating gender norms in their work. As more and more women enter this traditionally male-dominated profession, it becomes increasingly important to understand how women conduct diplomacy. Focusing on the gendered nature of a core element of diplomacy: networking, Birgitta explains the challenges female diplomats face as well as the opportunities their gender opens up. Being a public administration expert, she also offers valuable insights into the study of the foreign ministry as a crucial diplomatic institution, and concludingly, gives advice on how it can best manage and benefit from diplomats' gendered networking approaches. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org

Damien Arnaud, a former NATO official and public diplomacy expert, explores the detrimental effects of post-truth on international cooperation. He discusses how misinformation undermines political dialogue, particularly in security matters, and connects it to the rise of social media. With insights from senior officials, Damien explains the historical roots of post-truth and emphasizes the necessity of restoring genuine dialogue. He urges listeners to break free from informational bubbles, stressing that critical engagement is vital for a shared reality and global stability.

We welcome Prof. Christian Lequesne (SciencePo, Paris) in this first episode. You may recognize our guest as editor for the recently-released special issue of the journal entitled Ministries of Foreign Affairs: Institutional Responses to Complexity Diplomacy. Expanding on this special issue, Prof. Lequesne explains why studying the MFA is vital to gauging the climate of modern diplomacy. Host Ilen Madhavji, and Prof. Lequesne discuss a variety of topics, such as diversity, public diplomacy, social media, and the less central role of the MFA within the developing world of diplomacy. The resulting conversation sheds light on an institution that no longer has the monopoly on diplomacy, yet still strives to be a major player. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: http://www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org