Welcome to the BDA

Welcome to the Brussels Diplomatic Academy!

Whether you are starting out on your career in economic diplomacy or international business, seeking to enhance your existing knowledge and skills, or looking for events where you can connect with potential partners, the Brussels Diplomatic Academy has what you need.

Our alumni have described our programmes as follows: ‘…sophisticated programme’ … ‘outstanding teaching’ ‘…a unique value proposition in comparison to other universities’ … ‘high calibre, experienced lecturers combined with the small group teaching method’… ‘a valuable choice for a solid future in Diplomacy and International Trade’…’I can only highly recommend this programme’.

Launched in 2013, the BDA provides a range of services to diplomats and business people and those aspiring to become them. With our education and training programmes, our webinars, lectures, conferences and executive trainings, the BDA equips entrepreneurs and their counterparts in the civil service with the necessary skills, knowledge and connections to excel in their fields.

We are proud to be an integral part of the VUB that is nonetheless connected to the real worlds of economic diplomacy and international business. We know we have the expertise and opportunities to help expand your diplomatic and international business horizons. You just need to let us!

The Brussels Diplomatic Academy, where diplomacy and business meet!

News

Join US at the VUB Open Day on 15 March

Develop your career in diplomacy and international trade and investment here! Come to the VUB Open Day on 15 March and hear about the Brussels Diplomatic Academy Postgraduate Programmes. Attend our presentation at 11 am or pop by for an individual chat between noon and 3pm. Whether you’re interested in a few courses to boost …
Photograph of 4 women and 5 men standing in front of a screen with logos of the Brussels Diplomatic Academy and Thetys Naval and the words Brussels Maritime Talks Labour Rights at Sea.

Bringing Humanity Back to the Oceans: Brussels Maritime Talks – Labour at Sea

On 4 November 2025, the Brussels Diplomatic Academy (BDA), in partnership with Téthys Naval, hosted the inaugural Brussels Maritime Talk (BMT) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Entitled “Labour at Sea: A Human Rights Perspective,” the event marked an important step in maritime dialogue — placing the realities of life and labour at sea within the …

Every professor gave it their all, and oh, we learned a lot

Brussels Diplomatic Academy graduates celebrate their achievements at the Brussels Parliament. On Wednesday 8 October the most recent graduates from the Postgraduate Certificate programmes of the Brussels Diplomatic Academy (BDA) of the VUB received their certificates at a  ceremony held in the Hall of Mirrors of the Brussels Parliament. This year’s recipients graduated in Economic …
People in conversation smiling in a room with a chandelier. Text says YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWAITS! APPLY NOW TO THE BDA Classes start on 1 SeptemberSign up today!

Studying whilst you work? BDA programmes are ideal!

Our courses are taught in the evening and on Saturdays. You choose which, and how many, subjects you take. Build your modular study programme. Simply apply for a place on our programmes, then follow the subjects you choose. Contact us today – make this the first step in your continuing professional development!
A woman standing at a lectern giving a presentation, with people sitting to the left of her, behind tables, listening. Behind her is a slide of her presentation saying 'Towards Accelerated Land Release Through Animal Detection Systems'

Demining – it’s not all rats and drones

If you think that the environmental impact of landmines, unexploded ordinance and improvised explosive devices only comes from the weapons themselves, think again. In fact, think again about mine action in general, so much has changed, so much has stayed the same, and now some actors are finally looking at the overall picture of mines, …

Watch the BDA Conversation on the Russia – Ukraine War

The first conversation in a new BDA three-part series examining the war in Ukraine and its implications for the took place on April 30th at the Press Club in Brussels. Considering the question: The Russia – Ukraine War: Prisms of Conflict in a Fragmenting World, How Does This End? Dr. Vladimir Zherebov Head of the …

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