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LSE hosts First Ladies and Gentlemen for high-level diplomacy training

Wednesday 13 May 2026
Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform
Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform

On 14 May 2026, LSE hosted the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform for high level special training in diplomacy, bringing together First Ladies and Gentlemen from seven countries for a structured, expert-led programme on the role of soft power in contemporary diplomacy.

Diplomacy Training

Developed in collaboration with LSE IDEAS and its Women in Diplomacy project, supported by the Yalta European Strategy (YES) and Brooks Newmark, the training was structured around four sessions, each led by senior LSE faculty and researchers:

  • The development and strategic use of soft power amid ongoing and overlapping crises — facilitated by Professor Karen E. Smith
  • The evolution of the global economy in the context of AI-driven transformation — facilitated by Alexander Evans
  • Women’s underrepresentation in diplomacy, foreign policy, and international negotiations — facilitated by Joanna Lewis, Marta Kozielska, and Professor Karen E. Smith
  • Diversity of representation in diplomacy and pathways toward inclusive diplomatic practices — facilitated by Professor Grace Lordan

The training brought together First Ladies and Gentlemen from seven countries: Olena Zelenska (Ukraine), Doris Schmidauer (Austria), Aleš Musar (Slovenia), Marjolijne Frieden (Luxembourg), Armanda Begaj (Albania), Tamara Vučić (Serbia) and Eva Pavlová (the Czech Republic).

Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, commented: “Even amid a full-scale war, Ukraine is not stepping back from its role on the international stage — it is expanding it. The training at the London School of Economics is yet another demonstration that a Ukrainian initiative is setting the standard: bringing together First Ladies and Gentlemen from across the world, shaping the agenda in soft power and diplomacy — and doing so in partnership with one of the most prestigious universities in the world.”

Soft power as diplomatic practice

First Ladies and Gentlemen occupy a unique position in the diplomatic landscape: they carry the visibility and access of heads of state, without the constraints of formal political office. They can speak where diplomats cannot, build relationships that transcend political cycles, and mobilise public attention around issues that formal negotiations often leave unaddressed.

The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform — founded in 2021 by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska — was built on this premise. Over five years, it has grown into a permanent international mechanism uniting more than 55 First Ladies and Gentlemen worldwide, with an annual Summit held in Kyiv at its core.

Women in Diplomacy

The training coincided with the release of the latest Women in Diplomacy report by LSE IDEAS — Strengthening the Representation of Women in Diplomacy: Lessons from the Field — which reported that fewer than one in four ambassador posts globally are held by women. Based on dialogues with over 200 diplomats and practitioners from more than 50 countries, the report presents a practical toolkit for diplomatic institutions seeking to address structural barriers to women’s representation. Participants received the report as part of the training programme.

Professor Chris Alden, Director of LSE IDEAS, said: “We are extremely pleased to be hosting this high-level special training in cooperation with the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. From the strategic use of soft power to the impact of AI and the value of representation, these tailored sessions tackled some of the biggest challenges facing diplomacy and international affairs right now.”