Dear Educator, From the negotiating table to the ping pong table, diplomacy shapes the world in more ways than most people realize.
In this newsletter, you’ll learn how to teach about what diplomacy really means, how negotiations work, and why cultural exchanges, from jazz to goat wrestling, can matter just as much as any formal summit.
You'll also find a new classroom activity, fresh resources on U.S.-Iran talks, and a chance to join the CFR Education Ambassador program.
Happy learning,
Caroline Netchvolodoff
Vice President, Education
Council on Foreign Relations |
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If you ask a student if they know what the word diplomacy means, they might say yes. But can they actually define it? Explain it?
Diplomacy encompasses all the ways that countries communicate with one another to advocate for their national interests.
But there is so much that goes into the definition of diplomacy; sometimes, a simple sentence doesn't cut it. Use these FAQs to guide your students through the basics: |
Who engages in diplomacy? It can range from country leaders to civil servants who liaise with foreign governments. When are negotiations held?
Diplomacy can take the form of high-level negotiations or day-to-day conversations. What does diplomacy look like in practice?
It can come in the form of negotiations, consultations, back-channel talks, and summits and conferences.
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A Deeper Dive on Negotiations |
Just about every aspect of international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy involves some form of negotiation.
As a tool, negotiation depends on the parties at hand coming to the table open to cooperation and compromise, but it is important to note that negotiations don't happen in a vacuum. Context matters: do the two parties have a history of fighting? What shape have past negotiations taken? What does the public think? Are there outside incentives at play? |
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New Activity! Diplomacy Negotiation: Classroom Summit |
While negotiations are an essential element of foreign policy, the skills needed to conduct them are important for everyone to master. Use this activity to run a classroom summit on a particular school issue to teach your students how negotiations are conducted and what makes them successful. |
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Negotiations happen constantly; sometimes between world leaders, but more often between diplomats and other government officials, often away from the public eye.
This month, delegations from the U.S. and Iran met in Pakistan to negotiate. Max Boot, the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, shares his perspective on how he would approach these talks in this piece.
Explore more analysis and updates on the Iran War from the experts at CFR.
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The Role of Food, Sports, and Art in Diplomacy
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Diplomacy doesn't always happen around a negotiating table or at a multilateral summit. Some of the most successful examples of diplomacy have come in the form of pastimes such as ping pong and jazz.
The objective of diplomacy is to advance a country's interests. Sports and cultural exchange can help do just that, allowing countries to interact peacefully, improve their international images, and develop soft power that can make future diplomacy more effective.
The informal interactions that happen through these exchanges can also forge stronger channels of communication between leaders, leading to better diplomatic outcomes.
Share more about this topic with these recorded events, readings, and a podcast: |
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Want to get your students genuinely excited about diplomacy? CFR Education simulations bring diplomacy to life in the classroom. This one blends soft power and cultural diplomacy into a compelling hypothetical scenario, creating an environment where students can explore these concepts openly. |
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Apply to be a CFR Education Ambassador! |
The CFR Education Ambassador program is an eight-month engagement that connects educators across the country with free educational resources, professional development activities, and a vibrant network of like-minded professionals who are committed to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and perspective to navigate today’s connected world. |
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Council on Foreign Relations. All rights reserved. |
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