End of Year Review 2025-26

It is difficult to believe how quickly this year has gone. As my term as President of the Oxford Diplomatic Society draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that has been as demanding as it has been rewarding. We had big boots to fill from previous Committees, but with an incredible Executive Committee, talented and dedicated throughout, we had an exceptional year.

Michaelmas opened the year with momentum. Our speaker programme drew a broad range of voices, including Ambassador Jonathan R Cohen, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Dr Titilola Banjoko, Duncan Hill OBE, Patricia Owens, Harold Walker, Barney Mayhew, and John Bellinger III. We were also delighted to host a number of joint events that took us into close collaboration with other societies: the Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds with Oxford Women in Government, Shashank Joshi with OxfordSpeaks, and Elliot Higgins with OUSSG. We also had a brilliant global affairs pub quiz, which everyone enjoyed thoroughly.

Alongside the speaker programme, members had the chance to step into the working world of diplomacy itself. We organised visits to the Tunisian and Bosnian embassies and to the Cypriot High Commission, followed later in the term by a visit to IISS and the Embassy of Türkiye, and another to RUSI and the Embassy of Nepal. These visits continue to be one of the most valued things we offer, and I am grateful to the embassies and missions that so generously hosted us.

The flagship trip of Michaelmas was the Society's international delegation to Oman. We had high-level meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, as well as dinner at the German Embassy and afternoon tea at the British Embassy. We also spent time travelling around the Sultanate and engaging with the next generation of Omani leadership at a networking event with the British Council. A big 'thank you' to the British Omani Society for the grant that made this visit possible.

The Diplomatic Dispatch also continued through the year, building on the editorial reset of last year. The decision to prioritise depth over volume has clearly paid off, and the calibre of contributing writers has, if anything, gone up.

Hilary opened with our Gala Dinner, which brought together a remarkable line-up of delegates and a keynote address from former Ambassador Jamie Bowden. The evening was one of the highlights of my year and a reminder of the quality of the network the Society has cultivated over time.

Our speaker programme through Hilary featured Denis Keefe, Paul Dziatzkowiec, and Joseph Rooke. The Diplomatic Academy ran for its third year and continued to grow into one of our most distinctive offerings; many of last year's instructors stayed on, which is, I think, the clearest signal we could ask for that the programme is working.

Hilary also saw the launch of the Society's new Access Fund, unveiled at an alumni networking session generously hosted by Farrer & Co. at their London offices. The Fund is designed to reduce financial barriers to participation, ensuring that the opportunities the Society offers remain open to members regardless of background. Particular thanks are due to our Treasurer, Alex, without whom the Fund simply would not exist. I am also grateful to the alumni who turned out in such numbers, and to Farrer & Co. for once again opening their doors to us.

The most ambitious undertaking of the term was the London Universities Diplomatic Summit, with Oxford's day playing to a sold-out audience. The panels focused on defence diplomacy, humanitarian affairs, and conflict resolution, and brought together an exceptional set of speakers, including former UN Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths and the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell.

Hilary also saw further international delegations. In The Hague, members were taken inside the International Court of Justice and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, and were warmly received at the British Embassy. We are especially grateful to Caecilia van Peski, a member of our Board of Excellencies, who hosted us for dinner at the De Witte Society. The second iteration of our delegation to Nepal built on the foundations laid by our partnership with the Institute of Rural Development. The programme combined excellent embassy and ministry visits with time spent hiking through the surrounding landscape, and we owe an enormous thank you to our organisers in Nepal, whose work made the trip possible and a great success.

Trinity is traditionally a quieter term given exams, but we were able to maintain a strong speaker programme. We welcomed Juliet Campbell, Achim Steiner, and Paul Johnston, each of whom drew excellent audiences. Members were also kindly invited to attend an event with Dame Karen Pierce at Somerville College, which was a particular treat for those interested in the transatlantic relationship.

As I write this, the Committee is preparing for the YIAPD Rome Summit, hosted this year by our partners in Italy.

Handing over to the next Committee is bittersweet. I am enormously proud of what we have built together this year, and equally confident in the team taking over. I have no doubt the Society will continue to flourish under their leadership.

I would like to also say a huge thank you to my Executive Committee. You have made this one of the most demanding and most enjoyable years of my time at Oxford. I have learned a great deal from each of you, and the friendships I have made through this Committee will, I suspect, long outlast our shared time on it. To our Senior Member, our Board of Excellencies, our partner organisations, and the speakers and hosts who made each of our events possible: thank you for your generosity and for trusting us with your time.

It has been a huge honour to serve as President of this Society. I hand the role over with gratitude and every confidence in what comes next.

Amelia Blunden

President

Oxford Diplomatic Society 2025-26