On 12th February, the Diplomatic Academy had the pleasure of co-organising a highly impactful seminar at the University of Nicosia with the Office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou, featuring a keynote speech by the United States Ambassador Julie D. Fisher and an interactive Q&A session with participants. The Ambassador focused on her career, rich experience, and mission as a woman diplomat. Our topic on “Women in Diplomacy: Shaping Foreign Policy, Security, and Defence” touched upon the gender gap and the challenges to meaningful equality across academia, policy, and related sectors.

The full programme included a diverse set of remarks. The University of Nicosia Senior Vice Rector, Professor Constantinos Phellas, spoke about academia’s commitment and mission to further contribute to equality, diversity, and inclusion and to share insights with the rest of society. Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou elaborated on her Office’s mission to raise awareness, support, and encourage gender mainstreaming across all sectors, including foreign affairs, security, and defence. The DA Director, Dr Constantinos Adamides presented some preliminary thoughts on the gender gap in foreign affairs and security, a key area that requires the input of more women. Petros Petrikkos, in his capacity as Research Associate at the DA focused on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Framework and built on his presentation by bringing on board examples from Cyprus.

The University of Nicosia welcomed students from different organisations and universities in Cyprus. Participants actively engaged with the seminar’s topic an interactive Q&A session during the second half of the programme.