Diplomacy and the Future of Democracy:
Transprofessional Responses to Contemporary Diplomatic Challenges
A Virtual Conference
Hosted by The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy at DePaul University, Chicago
October 13-14, 2022
As we confront the diplomatic challenges across the globe presented by movements and leaders opposed to liberal democracy, the need for a deeper level of collaboration among all practitioners of diplomacy has never been greater. How can a wide-ranging, more inclusive understanding of diplomacy help us better engage the full range of diplomatic agency available in this current environment? To what degree can the democratization of diplomacy contribute to these efforts? What are the roles of state-sponsored, non-state actor and grassroots diplomacy in efforts to challenge illiberal democracy? To what degree has the erosion of democracy in the United States, India, Brazil and among multiple member states of the European Union undercut the agency of nation states to promote democracy through diplomatic means? This conference will explore the work and the strategies being proposed and employed by practitioners and scholars of diplomacy across multiple vocations and contexts – i.e., transprofessional diplomacy – to support diplomatic cooperation and collaboration aimed at the promotion and preservation of democracy.
The mission of The Grace School is to train future practitioners of diplomacy across all vocations – from those pursuing careers in the foreign service to those who want to build bridges as NGO leaders, private sector actors, scientists, artists, religious leaders, community organizers and activists. Our goal is to create cohorts of students with a wide range of vocational trajectories who engage the study and practice of diplomacy together, and in so doing establish networks that they will take with them as they pursue or redirect their respec¬tive careers upon graduation. Examining the transprofessional diplomatic work which is currently taking place and which must now be amplified in the name of supporting democracy is the theme of our conference.
To RSVP and receive the Zoom conference link, please register here.