The 2024 edition of the WomEn DIplomats Network in the European Union (WEDIN EU) was a novel experience for the participants, because, for the first time, it was hosted together with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, celebrating International Day for Women in Diplomacy.

This annual meeting offers an opportunity for Women Diplomats from EU Member States and the EEAS, including leaders of networks of Member States’ Ministries for Foreign Affairs, to exchange best practices to facilitate women diplomats’ careers and discuss the important role of women in diplomacy, and more broadly the promotion of gender equality in the world, focusing also on building networks with women diplomats in third countries.

Belgian MFA

The WEDIN EU took place on 25 June at the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs and was opened by its Secretary General Theodora Gentzis and the new WEEAS Chair Angelina Eichhorst.

Over the years we have put many concrete actions in place to ensure a good representation of women at all decision making levels and management positions and to achieve a better gender balance in our Diplomatic Corp.

- Theodora Gentzis

Belgian MFA

Angelina Eichhorst stressed the importance for women to get through the glass ceiling, pointing out how women diplomats have an extra responsibility particularly during this time of  war in our continent, next to our continent, and globally.

The point I’m trying to make for women diplomats is… Stick to international law, wherever you are wherever you go… because I believe that as women we have these capacities to have the holistic, strategic, inclusive approach to what is really needed today.

- Angelina Eichhorst

The event was moderated by the WEDIN EU coordinator Aude Maio-Coliche and the Belgium W@W women diplomats network.

Belgian MFA

While in the first years of its existence, the WEDIN EU concentrated on exchange of experiences on how to create networks of women diplomats in our respective Ministries for Foreign Affairs and at the EEAS, and on how we could work towards facilitating women diplomats’ careers, our exchanges since last November have targeted another aspect of our work programme: the development of relations with networks of women diplomats in third countries.

- Aude Maio-Coliche

Belgian MFA

Former diplomat Dr. Jennifer Cassidy, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Oxford and Editor of the book ‘Gender and Diplomacy’ gave an inspiring talk on women’s progress in diplomacy, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the advances that have been made, but also of being critical on what still needs to be done for the status of women.

Two things can be true at once: progress and seeking to keep achieving change.

- Jennifer Cassidy

The participants also received a training session on Gender Responsive Leadership with a focus on ‘Countering Resistance’  by the Folke Bernadotte Academy.

Now in its third year, the WomEn DIplomats Network reaffirms the European Union's and the EEAS’ strong commitment to the promotion of diversity and gender equality in the world, as well as the transformative potential of women in diplomacy.

EEAS Secretary General, Stefano Sannino closed the event. In his intervention he spoke about the need to keep pushing for change from inside, changing the mentality, addressing bias issues and to make the effort to push the system.

We need to do a lot of talent scouting, identifying that good person that can move up, start investing from the beginning, from the first steps of their career, and to help them move forward.

- Stefano Sannino

Belgian MFA