Celebrating 20th promotion of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies

On 16 February 2026, the Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies celebrated the 20th promotion of its Master’s programme with a special event. Founded in 2006, the study programme has successfully educated more than 1600 graduate students from over 60 countries. Professor Sieglinde GSTÖHL, Director of Studies, welcomed the current students as well as some alumni and faculty members. EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa OLLONGREN delivered a keynote address on the very timely question “Double Standards or High Standards? Advancing Human Rights in Times of Geopolitical Turmoil”. The lecture was followed by a lively question and answer session. 

After a coffee break, alumni with inspiring career paths shared their professional experience and advice in a roundtable moderated by Professor Simon SCHUNZ. The roundtable was launched with a video address by alumna Lara WOLTERS (Member of the European Parliament) before engaging in a discussion with Andrew CARUANA GALIZIA (World Economic Forum, former career diplomat), Jannik KNAUER (European Commission DG DEFIS, previously at NATO), and Cecilia PELLOSNIEMI (European External Action Service, previously at the United Nations). The evening ended with a nice networking reception.