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Session overview

The UCL European Institute is proud to welcome Bart Vodderie, Brexit lead at the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom, to UCL for a student masterclass on the art and practice of diplomacy.

Drawing on insights from his diplomatic career, which has spanned postings in the Belgian Embassy to Uganda, the Belgian Permanent Representation to the EU and the EU Delegation to the UK, Bart will share his reflections on what diplomacy is, the role of diplomacy in an EU context, and what it takes to be a good diplomat, from building networks to reading between the lines.

The session is co-organised with UCL School of Public Policy and European and International Social and Political Studies (EISPS), and co-hosted with UCL Diplomacy Society.

Who can attend?

The masterclass is open to UG and PG students at 911±¬ÁÏÍøith an interest in politics, diplomacy and the European Union.

Students attending will be encouraged to undertake some brief preparatory reading prior to the session (to be emailed following registration).

Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If your availability changes, please let us know so we can offer the opportunity to somebody else.

Following the event, there will be a small drinks reception, hosted by UCL European Institute.

Speaker biography

Bart Vodderie started his career as Belgian diplomat in 2008, after earlier jobs as language coach in the Belgian parliament and as a ministerial aide.

After a first experience as diplomat / consul in Uganda, he was posted to the Belgian Permanent Representation to the EU. There, he worked on internal market regulation for three years before making the switch to Coreper II as Belgian Antici. In the latter capacity he worked on the migration crisis and the negotiations with the United Kingdom under David Cameron.

In September 2017 he was appointed as head of the Brexit Coordination Unit at the Belgian ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this newly created function, he helped develop Belgium’s political position on the UK’s departure. He also helped prepare his country for a no-deal scenario.

In February 2020 when the UK officially became a third country he joined the European External Action Service and was sent to the new EU delegation in London where he continued working to this day on Brexit and specifically on Northern Ireland.

Bart Vodderie speaks five languages and is a nature photographer in his spare time.

Note: This event is now sold out. You can sign up to the waitlist via the booking link.