This CAS is aimed at individuals who work, or would like to work, in foreign relations and related fields. Participants hold, or are planning to hold, positions in public administration and politics (cities/communes, cantonal and federal government), e.g., public affairs officers or representatives of trade and industry associations and NGOs.

• The program focuses on theoretical and practical knowledge needed to operate effectively and convincingly in a globalized environment.
• Theoretical elements include fundamental structures, institutions, and functional mechanisms of key actors involved in international relations, which are explained and discussed. The program also includes analysis of Swiss foreign policy.
• Participants acquire practical skills by taking part in simulated negotiations, interactive workshops conducted by experts, and networking events.

The curriculum of the CAS in Foreign Affairs & Applied Diplomacy recognizes these new developments in the interdisciplinary scope of international relations at the intersection of business, law, politics, and history.

When the part-time program was launched in 2012, ‘Neue Zürcher Zeitung’ described it, rather aptly, as “international relations for practitioners”. It reflects the diverse, practically oriented curriculum of this course of study. Workshops with business partners and excursions to Bern, Brussels, and Geneva provide ample opportunity for direct interaction with experts.

A review of the CAS Foreign Affairs & Applied Diplomacy is available here: trip to Brussels 2019, virtual visit to Bern 2021 and Graduation ceremony 2021.

The CAS Foreign Affairs & Applied Diplomacy is part of the DAS Applied Diplomacy and can be credited to it.

The CAS in Foreign Affairs & Applied Diplomacy is methodologically diverse. Methods of instruction include lectures and presentations, exercises, study of genuine cases, e-learning, and simulation tasks. Another major focus is on discussing and analyzing world events and their key actors.

Module 1 concludes with a practical exam (presentation)
Module 2 with a written assignment (policy brief)

Part-time course of study
Fridays and Saturdays, 8.45 am to 4.45 pm
Exceptions:

• Excursion to Brussels, Thursday to Saturday (3 days). Recommended arrival: Wednesday evening
• Excursion to Geneva: start on Thursday afternoon

Languages of instruction are German and English.
Participants are expected to be proficient in both languages (oral & written communication).

• Prof. Dr. Petra Barthelmess Röthlisberger, Senior Lecturer on Intercultural Communication, ZHAW School of Management and Law
• Dr. Thomas Borer, former Swiss Ambassador, Advisor Dr. Borer Consulting
• Khaldoun Dia-Eddine, Lecturer, ZHAW School of Management and Law
• Marco Düerkop, DG Trade, European Commission
• Dr. Lionel Fatton, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Webster University Geneva
• Nicola Forster, Founder of the Foreign Policy Thinktanks foraus, President of the Swiss Society for the Common Good
• Greta Gnehm, Head International Relations, ZHAW School of Management and Law; former Diplomat, U.S. Department of State
• Luca Gobbo, Informationsbeauftragter der Kantone (KdK) in the Europe Division of the FDFA
• Prof. Dr. Florian Keller, Head of Center for Global Competitiveness, ZHAW School of Management and Law
• Thomas Kupfer, former Swiss Ambassador to Singapore
• Harry Landau, Public-Affairs-Advisor, former Swedish diplomat
• Prof. Dr. Jens Lehne, Director of Department Business Law, ZHAW School of Management and Law
• Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation; former Director of Information, United Nations Office Geneva (UNOG)
• Dr. h. c. Max Schweizer, former president of SwissDiplomats – ZurichNetwork
• Felix Stähli, Co-Founder, Impact Hub Geneva
• Dominique Ursprung, Secretary, parliamentary Friendship Group Switzerland-Japan
• Lukas Wegmüller, Public Affairs specialist, Klimaschutz Schweiz; previously Secretary General, Neue europäische Bewegung Schweiz
• Nicolas Zahn, Senior Project Manager, Swiss Digital Initiative (SDI)

• foraus - Foreign Policy Forum

Admission requirements for applicants with a university degree:
Admission to the CAS program requires:

• A degree (diploma, licentiate, Bachelor's or Master's degree) from a state-recognized university or one of the predecessor schools.
• At least two years of professional experience at the time of enrollment.

Admission requirements for professionals without a university degree:
Admission to the CAS program requires:

• Final diploma for an educational program at a college of higher education and training or federal training examination (federal diploma). In exceptional cases, applicants may be admitted if their suitability for participation can be otherwise proven.
• At least four years of professional experience at the time of application and completion of basic vocational training.

Admission interview:
The Head of Program reserves the right to ask for references and invite applicants to an interview.

Decision on admission:
Admissions are decided on by the Head of Program

Creditability
Der CAS Foreign Affairs and Applied Diplomacy can, for example, be credited as part of the MAS Communication Management and Leadership.

Applications are considered in the order in which they are received.

Please also send the following documents for the admission check with your electronic application
(Note: You can upload the documents directly with the application):

• Curriculum vitae
• Copies of certificates
• Copies of education and training
• Letter of motivation (you can send us this either in the form itself or in a short letter)