Some essay titles to think about

1) What are the main characteristics of a failed (or ‘failing’) state and how should the international community respond to this challenge? Illustrate your ideas with examples.

2)  Italy is involved in various foreign policy initiatives as a member of wider institutions (the EU, NATO, the UN etc.) and as a sovereign state with its own interests. Describe some of them. You may also want to comment on their size, length, cost and effectiveness.

3)  States are no longer the only actors on the international stage. How does this affect international relations? Give examples.

4)  Outline the economic challenge resulting from the pandemic, its nature, its short-term effects, the response of the global community, and the possible long-term consequences for Italy, the EU and international relations – costs and lessons.

5)  Developing countries and sustainability. Discuss some of the main factors involved.

6)  What are the main factors that will influence the evolution of relations between China and the international community? How is China’s role within the international order changing?

7)  Diplomacy – What are the main factors involved in the decision by a state or political movement to take part in, or not to take part in, negotiations with another state or non-state actor which it considers in some sense ‘the enemy’? Illustrate your point of view with examples from modern history or the contemporary world.

8)  To what extent is ‘security’ now the key word in international relations?

9)  How has the Arab Spring and Winter affected international relations?

10)  What are the main challenges facing Latin America?

11)  Is the leadership of the US and the West within the international order coming to an end?

 12)  Has the EU lost its way? What are the main challenges it faces today?

13)  How should the international community respond to the dangers posed by nuclear technology?

14)  The International Criminal Court – its structure, role and effectiveness to date.

15)  What are the main factors to be weighed when the international community is considering military intervention in response to a humanitarian crisis?

16)  What are the main challenges facing Africa?

17)  What are the main characteristics, benefits and drawbacks of globalization?

18)  Outline the main characteristics of Italian foreign policy since the end of the Second World War.

19)  To what extent have states now lost, by choice or by circumstance, much of their sovereignty?

20)   Climate change and renewable energy. Discuss.

21)  What are the main factors that will influence the evolution of relations between the EU and the Russian Federation?

22)  What are some of the issues involved in the exploration and development of space by the international community?

23)  Safe-guarding human – are we losing the fight?

24)  How should the UN be reformed? Does the structure of the UN make it in some sense unreformable?

25)  The Arab world needs to change and modernize in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Discuss.

26)  How is the role of NATO changing? What challenges does the organization face?

27)  What is the role of information and communications technologies (ITCs) in international relations and diplomacy?

28)  What is the role of culture in international relations?

29)   What kind of people make good diplomats? What kind of work do they do? What kind of responsibilities do they have?

30)  What are the realities regarding the development and use of alternative renewable energies?

31)  How do demographic changes (population growth or decline) affect international relations?

32)  How is climate change, and the need to deal with it, affecting international relations?

33)  To what extent is leadership an important factor in international relations? Illustrate your answer with examples from contemporary history and current affairs?

34)   What can the international community do to protect biodiversity? Why is this question important?

35)  State sovereignty and ‘the responsibility to protect’. Discuss both the legal and practical issues involved. Give examples.

36)  What is the role of the BRICS in international relations?

37)  What are the main questions to be dealt with in order to achieve a lasting settlement between Israel and the Palestinians?

38)  Migration - Describe the nature, scale, benefits and drawbacks of this phenomenon with special reference to Italy and the EU.

39)  What progress was made towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals and what challenges still remain? Comment on progress regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

40)  How is Italy's diplomatic corps involved in the safe-guarding of Italy's cultural heritage and cultural heritage around the world?

41)  What role do sports and major cultural events play in diplomacy?

42)  What should the EU do to promote awareness of a European identity among EU citizens?

43)   China and its neighbors. Discuss.

44)   To what extent are international relations influenced by the competition for scarce resources?

45)   In the contemporary world has the space for diplomacy been reduced?

46)  Is ‘cooperation’ the key word in today’s world?

47)   Are Western values universal or are we witnessing a genuine ‘clash of cultures’ in international relations?

48)   How should the international community respond to the threat of piracy?

49)   Italy and the Balkans. Discuss.

50)   Can the German economic model really be a model for other EU countries?

51) There have been a series of major regional free trade agreements that have been signed in the last 20 years or are being negotiated. Are such broad deals beneficial to all?

52)  What are some of the problems that the Czech Republic is having to deal with during its presidency of the Council of the European Union from July– December 2022? What was the Slovenian government’s program for the Presidency?

53)  What are the dangers relating to cyber threats and cyber warfare for security, international relations and the economy.

54)  The European External Action Service. What does it do? Is it effective?

55)  Italy and the Mediterranean. Discuss.

56)  The rise of Euroscepticism. Discuss.

57)   How do ideas about identity affect international relations?

58)  Although there are still situations of crisis and institutional fragility in many parts of Africa, several countries there seemed to be registering more positive economic trends before the pandemic. What lessons can we learn about how to help African economies to take off?

59)  You have been asked to accompany a small group of African diplomats on a seven-day visit to Italy to take part in the 2021 Italy-Africa Ministerial Conference. Write a short speech of welcome and introduction, mentioning the goals of the Conference and describe some of the things that the group will be able to do and see here when they are not engaged at the Conference.

60)  You have been asked to meet a group of Chinese businessmen on a short visit to Italy in relation to the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between China and Italy concerning the port of Trieste. Write a short speech of welcome and introduction, mentioning the goals of the project and some of the things that have been organized for them.

61)  How might the results of the recent German elections affect international relations?

62)  How may Brexit continue to affect the European Union and the UK itself?

63)  How effective are economic sanctions in international relations? Discuss this in relation to real cases where they have been or are being used.

64) What are the achievements and failures of the Biden administration so far? Give particular attention to international affairs.

65) How should the international community, and Italy in particular, respond to the challenges relating to the Arctic area?

66) What are the terms of the Memorandum of understanding between Italy and Libya (2017, renewed 2020)? Is it a good agreement? What questions does it raise?

67) What are some of the main questions to be addressed at the next NATO summit that will take place in June 2022 in Madrid, Spain? What are the goals outlined in the ‘NATO 2030’ document’? What is NATO’s Strategic Concept 2022?

68) The EU, Italy and immigration. Discuss.

69) The EU, Italy and the Arab world – outline some of the challenges we are facing and how these questions are being dealt with.

70) Fukushima and its aftermath – what lessons are there for Japan and the international community and what are the realities regarding nuclear energy?

71) What is the role of culture in generating economic activity and as a tool for exercising ‘soft power’? Discuss in relation to Italy and other countries.

72) What are the terms of the March 2016 migrant deal between the EU and Turkey? Is it a good deal for the EU and Italy in particular? What questions does it raise?

73) Italy and Libya – discuss.

74)  Outline the situation regarding jihadist terrorism in the Sahel today. What are the causes and effects? What is being done in response?

75) Fighting corruption in developing countries – describe the problem and current attempts to deal with it.

76) What were some of the goals of the Rome International Model United Nations?

77) What are some of the issues involved in the exploration and development of space by the international community? You may want to refer to the January 2021 13^th, or January 2022 14th annual European Space Conference.

78) The EU and further enlargement – is this the right moment? Is this desirable?

79) What are the main goals and challenges for the UN Secretary General.

80) 2022, trends and priorities for Sustainable Tourism for Development.

81) Comment on elections, referendums and international relations for the West in today's world, taking into consideration one or more of the following questions or factors:

are traditional parties losing their traditional identities and influence?

is there a growing loss of political culture among the governing élite within society in developed economies?   

the role of false news and disinformation

an electorate with ever greater access to political information compared to the past but which often seems ill-informed or willingly misinformed

82) What is the role of the diplomat in the world of today?

83) You have been sent as a representative of the Italian diplomatic corps to give a brief presentation at the Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples) base to a group of American and Canadian diplomats, officials and officers based in Italy and elsewhere in Europe about recent developments at the European Defence Agency and future relations between the EU and NATO.

84) As a representative of the Italian Foreign Ministry you have been asked to give a presentation at the Polish Cultural Institute in Rome to an audience made up mainly of diplomats and other officials from Eastern European and the Baltic (EU) states. The title of your presentation is 'Current and future relations between the EU and the Russian Federation'.

85) Can the European Union provide the international community with leadership?

86) Is there a role in international relations for the EU as an effective mediator?

87) 'The necessary basis for a functioning democracy in a developed economy is a well-informed electorate.' Discuss this idea in relation to recent concerns about fake news, disinformation and security.

(This is a paraphrase of Thomas Jefferson who said “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”)

88) What are some of the opportunities and challenges for Italy and the EU in relation to China's Belt and Road Initiative?

89) Italy and the wider Mediterranean – what is Italy’s strategy in the area? As a representative of the Italian Foreign Ministry, you have been asked to give a talk on this subject to a group of North African diplomats at a meeting here in Rome.

90) The EU and Turkey. Discuss.

91) What is 'soft power' and how is it exercised? To illustrate your ideas, give examples relating to countries other than Italy.

92) How much is Italian economic diplomacy worth? What is it? Give examples

93) Is the current international order threatened by growing global instability?

94) Free trade and fair trade – What are the arguments for and against imposing tariffs on Chinese exports?

95) What is the role of rivers and fresh water in international relations?

96) Write an assessment of progress and failures so far in moving towards the SDGs in Italy and globally.

97) Is the rise of populism a real threat to the international liberal order and to EU unity?

 

98) What progress is being made in the field of green energies? (Include information on: what the main green energy sources are, examples of the latest technological developments, cost effectiveness and the percentage of final energy consumption from green sources 2020-21-22, worldwide, in the EU and in Italy. (You will need to do some research!)

 

99) More than 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall has the West lost its way? Are its ideas and resolve failing? Is authoritarianism a real threat to the global order?

 

100) Italy and its key alliances on the world stage: tradition and evolution.

 

101) What is the role of the diplomat and the diplomatic corps in today's world? How do developments in the information and communications technologies affect these roles?

 

102) What role does China play in international relations today? How should Italy, the EU and other groups handle relations with China?

 

103) 'Fake news' – What is it? How is it used? What can be done about it?

 

104) Is the world becoming less democratic?

 

106) 'Soft power' and the Italian model. Discuss.

 

105) What are the main challenges facing sub-Saharan Africa?

 

107) How is the situation evolving in Libya? What is at stake for Italy and the EU? What is Italy's diplomatic position and line of action in this regard?

 

108) Human rights - are we making progress in real terms or going backwards?

  

109) A second Arab Spring – protests and challenges across the Arab world, 2019-22, and the prospects for change.

110) Action on global climate change and the outcome of COP 26.

111) Brexit, post-Brexit and reshaping EU-UK relations.

112) Epidemics and the risk of another pandemic – causes and responses. How should individual countries and the international community deal with this kind of challenge? Illustrate your answer with one or more current examples.

or: You have been sent as a diplomatic representative of the Italian government to a public meeting in Geneva to give representatives of the WHO, other UN agencies and the international press an assessment of Italy's strategy in dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak.

113) What is 5G? Why is it important? What advantages does it provide? What are the technical, health and security concerns? Are these concerns resolvable? What is the EU's position?

114) Europe has some of the world's biggest companies but some experts argue that nearly all of these are in the old economy (e.g.  Volkswagen, cars, Eni, oil and gas, ING, financial services) and very few of them are leaders in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) or other high-tech sectors. Is this true? Are we losing the battle for the new economy? And, if so, why? And what should the EU do about it?

115) Artificial intelligence – Who will control it and why is this important? What is Italy’s strategy?

116) Outline some of the goals of the European Commission President. Can you explain why she has set herself these objectives and what difficulties she may face in trying to achieve them?

117) What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Italian economy? How does Italian diplomatic activity support and promote Italian companies and their products? Give some examples. What else could be done?

118) What internal threats does the EU face? How should the current EU leaders respond to these dangers?

119) What is or should be the role of youth in international relations and in Italy? Why is this important? As an Italian Youth Delegate, you have been asked to make a short speech to the UN general Assembly on this topic.

120) The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will participate in a seminar on “China and the EU: confrontation or cooperation?” You are requested to prepare a short memo for him for his office.

121) What progress has been made since the Paris agreement of 2015 in the terms of countering climate change and global warming and in the use and development of renewable energies and green technologies?

122) You have been asked as a representative of the Italian Diplomatic Service to give a presentation to a group of potential international investors, at a meeting to be held at the Borsa di Milano next June, on:

Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan – opportunities and prospects for investors.

 

123) International law - how effective is it in shaping international affairs and the behaviour of states? Illustrate your answer with practical examples from current international relations.

 

124) To what extent is a state's foreign policy driven by its economic interests? Illustrate your answer with practical examples from current international relations.

125) To what extent is a state's foreign policy driven by its history and its popular idea of itself? Illustrate your answer with practical examples from current international relations.

126) The Pacific and its role in international relations today and in the near future.

127) What is the Next Generation EU (NGEU)?

128) What is the European Green Deal? 

128) What is the role of a UN Youth Delegate?

129) What role should young people have in international relations?

130) How should the international community respond to Afghanistan now after the withdrawal of international forces?

131) What is the role of the Italian intelligence services – their responsibilities and the challenges that they face in trying to ensure national security?

132) The Covid-19 pandemic, the Italian response to it, coordination with EU partners and the prospects for the future – costs and lessons. As a representative of the Italian diplomatic corps prepare a speech to give on this topic at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm to an audience of EU diplomats, health care providers and the staff of the ECDC.

133) Your Minister is going to a European meeting on artificial intelligence. Write a memorandum for him on Italy’s strategy in this area.

134) Is growth bad for the planet and the humanity?

135) Write an appraisal of the main questions to be resolved in the search for a lasting peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. 

136) Whistleblowers and international relations – should they be considered heroes or villains? Illustrate your answer with examples from history or recent events.

137) Italy’s economic diplomacy. Discuss.

138) What are the main challenges facng Latin America?

139) Has multiculturalism failed in Europe, for majorities or minorities or both?

140) Is the global liberal order in danger from China and Russia?

141) How is the balance of power changing in the Middle East?

142) How is the role of women changing the international order?

143) In developed democracies where women legally have equality, what are the social/psychological factors that impede real equality? How can we change this?

144) Write about a figure from the contemporary world or from the last 100 years who you think made or has made a positive contribution to international relations.

Past titles from the concorso.

https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/lavora-con-noi/concorsi-pubblici/carriera_diplom/i_temi/

2021

Lingua inglese

As Head of the Trade & Economic Office of the Embassy of Italy in London, your Ambassador asks you to prepare a speech to highlight the strengths of the Italian economy to an audience of institutional investors.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will participate in a seminar on “China and the EU: confrontation or cooperation?” You are requested to prepare a short memo.

As Head of the Press Office of the Embassy of Italy in Washington, your Ambassador asks you to prepare a letter to the Washington Post underlining Italy’s commitment for a world without death penalty.

2020

Italy and its key alliances on the world stage: tradition and evolution.

Legacies of the Arab springs a decade on and current constraints on Italy’s foreign policy.

German reunification 30 years later: how “European” has Germany grown since the early 90s and how “German” looks today’s Europe?

2019

The future of the European Union after Brexit.

Fake news and democracy: Governments, social media and liberties in an interconnected world.

Italy as a security provider. The role of diplomacy and the military in support of the world order.

2018

Trade, multilateralism (WTO) and protectionism. Is our society becoming less global?

Land grabbing and water grabbing: human rights and future wealth depend not only on energy and oil but on agriculture.

Italy’s soft power: how to better use our national resources.

2017

Inspiring and pioneering women in today’s world: how to break the glass ceiling.

The European perception of the Mediterranean Sea: from an opportunity to a responsibility.

You have been asked to deliver a speech on ethnic and religious identities and international conflicts. What would your key points be?

2016

The recent developments in the international debate over climate change.

Why has international trade so much importance for Italy? The role of Italian diplomacy in this connection.

Is a new world order emerging from the Middle East?

2014

The fight for natural resources is a challenge for the relations between developed countries and emerging economies and is a risk for the stability of the world and the growth of developing countries.

The UN Security Council has been described as a “handbook of irrelevance”, yet Italy is running for a non-permanent seat. Why?

The redistribution of power in a globalized world. Challenges and opportunities.

Seconda Lingua

2021

Quale diplomatico in servizio presso un’Ambasciata d’Italia, il candidato rediga un intervento inaugurale da pronunciare in occasione dell’apertura di una fiera alimentare e vincola di prodotti italiani, mettendo in risalto la combinazione di eccellenze produttive, sostenibilità e valori etici e culturali.

Quale diplomatico in servizio presso un’Ambasciata d’Italia, il candidato rediga un discorso, da pronunciare di fronte ad un pubblico qualificato del Paese di accreditamento, per presentare i prossimi Giochi olimpici invernali Milano Cortina 2026.

Quale diplomatico in servizio presso l’Ambasciata d’Italia in Utopia, il candidato prepari una breve nota di prospettiva da inviare alla Farnesina, in cui siano esaminati alcuni aspetti trascurati delle relazioni bilaterali con l’Italia e che potrebbero essere sviluppati negli anni a venire.

2020

L’eredità di Angela Merkel: Germania ed Europa negli anni 20 del XXI secolo.

Verso le elezioni americane 2020: la maggior parte del corpo elettorale americano è femminile, ma solamente il 24% dei membri del Congresso è donna. Per la prima volta, la candidata alla Vice Presidenza USA è una senatrice di origini indo-giamaicane. A vostro avviso, si tratta di una candidatura che comporta più rischi o più opportunità? Per quali motivi?

È auspicabile il controllo democratico sulla politica estera?

2019

Il Ministero degli Esteri organizza il tour mondiale di Sanremo giovani. Il/la candidato/a prepari il discorso di presentazione dell’iniziativa.

Geografia e politica estera. Gli interessi strategici di uno Stato sono determinati dal territorio?

Diplomazia e nuovi mezzi di comunicazione: alleati o nemici?

2018

Quale diplomatico in servizio presso l’Ambasciata d’Italia a Washington, il vostro Capo Missione vi chiede di preparare un discorso sull’attuale ruolo internazionale dell’Italia che egli pronuncerà in occasione della Festa Nazionale della Repubblica, alla presenza delle Autorità politiche e delle personalità del paese di accreditamento.

Il 17 luglio ricorre il XX anniversario dell’adozione dello Statuto di Roma, istitutivo della Corte Penale Internazionale. Riflessioni sul ruolo e sulle prospettive della giustizia internazionale.

La dimensione umanitaria nell’attuale contesto delle crisi internazionali, con particolare riferimento al coinvolgimento delle popolazioni nei conflitti. Il ruolo della comunità internazionale e della società civile.

2017

Gli interessi sono l’unico motore nei rapporti fra gli Stati? Qual è oggi lo spazio dei valori e dell’etica nelle relazioni internazionali?

Provi il candidato ad elaborare una presentazione per una platea extraeuropea del concetto attuale di identità e di confini europei, da definire in base ai valori ed agli interessi strategici condivisi

Le relazioni tra USA e Russia nelle attuali crisi mediorientali

2016

Caso Wikileaks: equilibrio fra il diritto all’informazione dei cittadini e sicurezza nazionale

Prospettive del continente africano. “Neocolonialismi” e fondamentalismi nel XXI secolo

Fonti energetiche tradizionali e rinnovabili: quale futuro per l’energia mondiale

2014

Il 18 luglio cade l’anniversario della morte di Nelson Mandela. la ricorrenza offre l’occasione per trarre un bilancio sulla sua figura storica e il significato della sua eredità.

Evoluzione del partenariato Europa-Africa. 
Pur nel permanere di situazioni di crisi e fragilità istituzionali, diversi paesi africani evidenziano dinamiche economiche positive. Nuove sfide e opportunità.

La stampa ha recentemente titolato: “L’Unione Europea è nei guai. Qualcosa è sbagliato in Europa, ma nessuno concorda su cosa sia”.  Quali sono le cause profonde del malessere che serpeggia oggi in Europa e della delusione e disaffezione dei cittadini per il progetto europeo?

Il concorso diplomatico

https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/lavora-con-noi/concorsi-pubblici/carriera_diplom/concorso_diplomatico/

Le prove attitudinali degli anni precedenti – including the part in English:

https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/lavora-con-noi/concorsi-pubblici/carriera_diplom/prove/