A: <\/strong>I am a retired Belgian ambassador, having served in Sweden, Poland, and Canada, with a diplomatic career spanning 35 years. My experience is mainly in Europe and North America, with both multilateral and bilateral postings. Alongside my diplomatic career, I have also been involved in academia, teaching EU studies and diplomacy at the University of Louvain in Louvain-la-Neuve. I hold a PhD in Political Science and remain active at the university, writing and conducting seminars on the science of diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: You are currently the President of Club Diplomatique de Belgique. What inspired you to take on this role?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>I took over as President of the Club in 2023. Founded in 1988, it had long functioned as what I would call a traditional club, with a few annual dinners, occasional trips abroad, and little more than that. It was a setting where elegant people gathered in a nice venue, listened to a speaker, and enjoyed a formal dinner. That was essentially it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I took over, I felt we needed to open the doors and move beyond being just a ‘club’ in the traditional sense. The founder, who unfortunately passed away, may not have been very familiar with social networks and the way younger generations interact today. One of my main objectives has been to modernize the Club while preserving its core mission: fostering connections between the foreign diplomatic community in Brussels and a cross-section of Belgian society. However, my approach is different\u2014I aim to make the Club more inclusive, attracting younger generations and bringing greater diversity. I am pleased that younger colleagues are joining me in this effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: That sounds like an exciting transformation. What is your vision for the Club in the near future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>As I mentioned, opening up the Club means rethinking the format of our events. They no longer have to be formal dinners; they can be more informal gatherings. We successfully tested this approach when we invited the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, to meet with a group of young professionals\u2014not for a dinner, but for a casual get-together. It worked very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, let’s be clear: if we want the Club to be more dynamic and accessible, we need financial resources. Until now, the budget has relied on membership fees and event participation costs. These fees can be quite high, especially for students. That\u2019s why, together with my colleagues on the board, I am working to secure sponsorships\u2014whether from individuals or companies\u2014since our mission is ultimately educational. In return, we can offer sponsors visibility within our network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: So partnerships are a key focus for you. What types of organizations are you hoping to attract?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A: Foreign embassies in Brussels can be valuable partners for specific events, such as cultural or culinary evenings linked to State Visits. This is part of a broader strategy, which will be strengthened by increasing the Club\u2019s visibility\u2014particularly through social networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I took over, I noticed that our website was outdated and that the Club had no social media presence whatsoever. Today, I am happy to see that we are gaining recognition on platforms like LinkedIn. While I cannot reveal too much at this stage, the idea is simple: create a buzz, attract attention, and the support will follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: Let\u2019s talk about the members themselves. What makes the Club Diplomatique\u2019s events and activities particularly valuable to them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>For our Belgian members\u2014such as honorary consuls and others\u2014the opportunity to interact with the foreign diplomatic community is very enriching. It\u2019s a different setting from the usual national day receptions at embassies\u2014more relaxed, more engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For foreign diplomats and ambassadors attending our events, there is also significant added value. Speaking from personal experience, when I was posted abroad, I had many interesting exchanges within the diplomatic community, but I didn\u2019t always have the opportunity to meet locals. Brussels hosts one of the world\u2019s largest diplomatic communities, with some countries having three or four ambassadors (to the EU, NATO, bilaterally, etc.). Our events offer them more than just networking among diplomats\u2014they provide direct engagement with Belgian society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, we might host a presentation by a Belgian expert on national elections, high-tech industries, or foreign policy priorities\u2014topics that foreign diplomats appreciate. In turn, a foreign ambassador can be the guest of honor, discussing their country\u2019s relationship with Belgium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a cultural aspect: embassies can organize events with us that blend business with pleasure\u2014an evening of food, music, and culture from a particular country, combined with deeper insights into its politics and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: Thank you for sharing your vision for the Club\u2019s future. As a final question, what advice would you give to aspiring diplomats or young professionals interested in international relations?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>That\u2019s a broad question. First and foremost, anyone considering a diplomatic career should take time to understand what it truly entails. One way to do this is by working for a few months at an embassy abroad or within an international organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also worth noting that in Belgium\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the average age of newly recruited diplomats is around 33 or 34. Why? Because many candidates have already built experience in international fields\u2014whether through NGOs, international organizations, or multinational companies. Gaining exposure to an international environment is crucial for anyone aspiring to join the diplomatic service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of specific advice, language skills are essential. When selecting diplomats, we require not only a high level of proficiency in French, Dutch, and English but also competence in a fourth language. Belgium is one of the few countries where every diplomat speaks four languages. Early in their careers, diplomats must choose an additional language\u2014such as Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic, or Italian\u2014and pass an exam. So, having an interest in foreign languages and cultures is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another key factor is mobility. Our diplomatic network spans five continents, so joining the service means being prepared to move far from home\u2014to China, Australia, or anywhere else. This isn\u2019t always easy, particularly for those with family or a spouse working in Belgium. It\u2019s something to consider carefully before committing to a diplomatic career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, aspiring diplomats should develop a strong foundation in international affairs. While candidates for the diplomatic exam (\u201cconcours\u201d) can come from any academic background\u2014even veterinary science or classical studies\u2014success requires knowledge of international relations, international law, and global economics. I am encouraged to see more students from diverse fields seriously considering the diplomatic service. With many senior diplomats retiring, a new generation is more than welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Interview prepared and conducted by Guus Maebe, edited by Tine Vranken Q: Could you please introduce yourself and briefly describe your diplomatic career and current activities? A: I am a retired Belgian ambassador, having served in Sweden, Poland, and Canada, with a diplomatic career spanning 35 years. 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