The International School of Protocol & Diplomacy celebrates its 5th Anniversary and its yearly Graduation Ceremony.
On 20th March 2015, the International School of Protocol & Diplomacy, the leading school in protocol and soft diplomacy skills studies, in Brussels, celebrated two important occasions: the graduation ceremony of its Master’s Degree in Protocol & Soft Diplomacy Skills students of the academic year 2013/2014 and its 5th anniversary. The celebrations of these important milestones in the history of the institution, took place in the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels – BOZAR, in partnership with the United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC), and in the presence of numerous distinguished ambassadors and prominent guests.
Twenty MA students from all over the world, notably Canada, Uganda, Bulgaria, Portugal, Malta, Barbados, Iraq, Hong Kong, Trinidad & Tobago, Kosovo, Spain, Ukraine, the Seychelles, United Kingdom, Mexico and Cyprus, had their efforts rewarded, after having taken the yearly programme at the ISPD and submitted their dissertations.
The fresh graduates, including the Chief of Protocol of the Iraqi President’s Office and the Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Seychelles, joined the group of over 400 alumni of the ISPD, from more than 90 countries that have participated in ISPD’s courses, since its creation in 2010.
The graduating students received their Master’s diplomas out of the hands of the guest of honour, the world known photographer, Mr. Jimmy Nelson, who congratulated the group on their achievements, and the ISPD Founder & CEO, Ms. Ines Pires. The ISPD was honoured with the presence of Ms. Caroline Petit, UNRIC Deputy Director, and members of the ISPD Faculty that is composed of over 40 experts representing the areas of protocol, diplomacy and communication, including ambassadors, chiefs of protocol of the European institutions and international organisations.
The ISPD’s 5th anniversary celebrations continued throughout the evening, in an event co-organised with UNRIC, featuring Mr. Jimmy Nelson’s photography work in his journeys across the world. ISPD CEO & Founder, Ms. Ines Pires and two newly graduated students participated in Mr. Jimmy Nelson´s interactive talk “A Journey of Self Discovery” and shared their thoughts about their own experiences to mark the International Day of Happiness.
Throughout the year, ISPD will continue to organise a number of events to celebrate its 5th anniversary. Since its foundation, the ISPD has been leading worldwide projects and providing in-country first-class professional protocol education to chiefs of protocol, governments, international organisations and business representatives. Its most recent project is taking place in Muscat, Oman, where the ISPD has launched a 7-month course in Protocol & Soft Diplomacy Skills, in cooperation with the Institute of Capacity Development for a group of 134 officials of the Royal Court. In addition to a premium Master’s Degree in Protocol & Soft Diplomacy Skills, ISPD offers a variety of programmes, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Protocol & Organisation of Official Events and Executive Diplomas in Protocol Basics, Protocol Applied and Soft Diplomacy Skills.
