From May 17 to 28, students enrolled in the “International Relations and Diplomacy” programme participated in a study tour to the headquarters of international organizations and EU institutions in Vienna, Geneva and Brussels.

In Vienna, the students visited the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Office at Vienna. They also learned about the cultural heritage and activities of the Mekhitarist Congregation, visited the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and met with its director.

The Geneva segment included meetings with the President of the UN Human Rights Council, the Permanent Observer of the United Nations University for Peace and representatives of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The students also toured the United Nations Office at Geneva and visited the ICRC Museum.

In Brussels, the programme featured visits to the principal EU institutions, including the European Council, the European External Action Service, the European Parliament and the European Commission. During these engagements, the students met with officials responsible for relations with Armenia and countries of the region.

The group also visited the Belgian Federal Parliament, where they met with the President of the Chamber of Representatives, Peter De Roover.

At NATO headquarters, the students held discussions with NATO officials on NATO-Armenia relations and the organization’s current challenges.

Throughout the tour, the students visited Armenia’s Permanent Representations and Embassies in each city. They met with Armenian ambassadors and diplomats, engaged in discussions and learned about the work and priorities of these diplomatic missions.