Some language and structure for diplomatic speeches and presentations in English

Making a speech as a diplomat

https://justwriteonline.typepad.com/files/speechwriting-for-diplomacy-brochure.pdf

https://diplomatmagazine.com/speechwriting-for-leaders/

How to address important people in a speech

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antony-stokes_diplomacyforall-activity-7324090951595937794-Gmg0

https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/titles-honours-forms-address and linked pages

but you should simply collect the various terms used as you hear, or read the text of, real speeches.

How to make a welcome speech in English

http://www.write-out-loud.com/welcome-speech.html

http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst34263_model-welcome-speech.aspx

http://www.english-for-students.com/The-Welcome-Speech.html

How to make a presentation speech in English

https://www.englishclub.com/speaking/presentations-pres.htm

http://www.speakingaboutpresenting.com/audience/foreign-audience/

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/give-corporate-culture-speech-65328.html

More Language and Structure for Speeches and Presentations

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/business/talkingbusiness/unit3presentations/expert.shtml

http://speakspeak.com/resources/general-english-vocabulary/presentation-language-phrases

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/presentation-phrases-english/

ttps://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/3-steps-introduction/ business

Some Examples of Diplomatic Speeches

The Secretary-General of the United Nations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecax4og__Uw

https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2025/03/remarks-of-the-un-secretary-general-at-the-opening-of-the-69th-session-of-the-commission-on-the-status-of-women#:~:text=Mr.,Excellencies%2C%20dear%20Friends%2C

the President of the European Council, António Costa

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/european-council/president/speeches/

former Presidents of the European Council, Charles Michel, 2019-2024

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/european-council/former-euco-presidents/charles-michel/speeches/?page=1

for example

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/02/07/keynote-speech-at-the-european-investment-bank-group-forum/

EU Commission President von der Leyen

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/nl/speech_25_1284

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/speech-president-von-der-leyen-eu-ambassadors-2025-von-der-leyen-ror3e

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_2918

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_22_1483

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_4426

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_2063

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_24_221

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dULAt-nRXY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTsLtsGRIdA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cUurRx45mo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAjho3gVh50

President of the European Central Bank

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/key/speaker/pres/html/index.en.html

and former President

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMBI50FXDps

Presidente della Repubblica, Sergio Mattarella

https://www.quirinale.it/ricerca/discorsi/en

https://www.quirinale.it/ricerca/comunicati/en

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/Presidente/0/ricerca/discorsi

https://www.quirinale.it/ricerca/discorsi/

for example

https://ambatene.esteri.it/el/news/dall_ambasciata/2018/11/intervento-pronunciato-dal-signor-2/

https://rm.coe.int/mattarella-pdt-italy-pace-april-2022-italien-/1680a652aa

http://www.quirinale.it/

https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/50345

https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/44093

and in English

https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/61653

https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/50310

https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/49357

https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/1421

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/219049

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/218912

former Presidents

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/  click on the President you want and then on the next page on the right, on the language you want (e.g. English) and then on ‘speeches and documents’

For example: Giorgio Napolitano

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/55064

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/55043

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/55024

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/238071

you can also search for key word topics in Italian or English on

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/Presidente/0/ricerca/discorsi

for example:

‘water’

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/218558

‘Treaties of Rome’

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/218550

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/218633

‘Expo Milano’

https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/1381

‘terrorism’

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/218496

‘representing national unity’

https://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/218523

President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-meloni-s-speech-un-food-systems-summit-addis-ababa/29355

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-meloni-s-press-conference-introduction-italia-africa-summit/24927

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-meloni-s-closing-remarks-italia-africa-summit/24873

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-melonis-speech-italian-embassy/22496

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-meloni-s-press-statement-prime-minister-albania/24195

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-meloni-s-speech-rome-med-mediterranean-dialogues/21227

https://www.agi.it/politica/news/2023-09-21/discorso-integrale-giorgia-meloni-onu-23132383/

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-meloni-s-press-conference-nato-summit-vilnius/23142

former President of the Council of Ministers Mario Draghi

https://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/77/it_en.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVLpuZMNrv4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtoL7d71ndI

Speeches by the Italian Foreign Minister

https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/news/dall_ambasciata/2024/01/intervento-del-ministro-antonio-tajani-allo-yad-vashem-in-occasione-del-giorno-della-memoria/

https://italyun.esteri.it/en/news/dalla_rappresentanza/2023/09/unga78-statement-by-italys-deputy-prime-minister-and-minister-of-foreign-affairs-antonio-tajani-at-2023-sdg-summit-un-general-assembly-high-level-week/

https://italyun.esteri.it/en/news/dalla_rappresentanza/2023/09/keynote-speech-by-italys-deputy-prime-minister-and-minister-of-foreign-affairs-antonio-tajani-at-the-unga78-side-event-childrens-rights-in-the-digital-environment/

and the former Foreign Minister

https://www.affaritaliani.it/politica/il-testo-integrale-del-discorso-di-di-maio-dopo-le-consultazioni-con-mattarella-621840.html

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/interventi/2012/06/20120614_intervento_twiplomacy/

The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations

https://italyun.esteri.it/en/news/dalla_rappresentanza/2023/01/permanent-representative-massaris-speech-at-ambassadorial-level-meeting-on-peacebuilding-in-the-new-agenda-for-peace/

https://italyun.esteri.it/en/news/dalla_rappresentanza/2024/01/statement-by-italys-permanent-representative-to-the-united-nations-general-assemblys-52nd-plenary-meeting-78th-session/

Obama's speeches:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/barackobamaspeeches.htm

For example:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barackobama/barackobamaunitednations71.htm

Federica Mogherini

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/61140/speech-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-plenary-session-european_en

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/malawi/58382/speech-hrvp-federica-mogherini-nato-parliamentary-assembly-meeting_vi

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/22516/speech-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-amcham-eu-transatlantic-conference_en

Speeches by Ambassadors and related items

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/china/closing-event-10th-baturu-cultural-festival_en?s=166

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/interventi/2017/10/discorso-dell-on-ministro-alla_12/

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/interventi/2017/10/discorso-dell-on-ministro-alla_12/

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=luca+attanasio&&mid=42C37AE3BE8BA4B0EB3442C37AE3BE8BA4B0EB34&&FORM=VRDGAR

https://www.open.online/2021/02/22/congo-luca-attanasio-video/

https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/2021/02/22/news/a-ottobre-il-discorso-di-attanasio-e-una-missione-pericolosa-ma-bisogna-dare-l-esempio-1.39940152/

the Chinese Foreign Minister

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=chinese+foreign+minister+speech&mid=6854E5C91C6BCEF93F1F6854E5C91C6BCEF93F1F&FORM=VIRE

The Ambassador of Japan, Oka Hiroshi, at the Japanese Embassy in Egypt

https://www.eg.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/11_000001_00647.html

the Romanian and Swedish UN Youth Delegates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uDQctQ1TeY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbtq3szgV5M

A Columbus Day speech – some ideas

https://lavocedinewyork.com/en/2020/10/12/italian-ambassador-armando-verricchio-praises-importance-of-columbus-day/

https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/news/dall_ambasciata/2024/10/lambasciatrice-zappia-alle-celebrazioni-del-columbus-day-a-new-york/

https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/it/news/dall_ambasciata/2021/10/columbus-day-l-incaricato-d-affari/

https://it.usembassy.gov/a-proclamation-on-columbus-day-2024/

https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/10/08/a-proclamation-on-columbus-day-2021/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_qULmlog3Q

https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/public-papers/291/address-columbus-day-dinner-new-york-city

https://medium.com/@ItalyinUS/christopher-columbus-as-a-bridge-between-italy-and-the-us-ba6550f5a5eb

https://umdsbs.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/italian-ambassador-speaks-on-countrys-legacy-and-european-union/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/why-some-celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-not-columbus-day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Peoples%27_Day_(United_States)

https://www.dogonews.com/2020/10/1/columbus-day-or-indigenous-peoples-day-the-debate-rages-on

Some ideas about diplomacy, Italian diplomacy and what makes a good diplomat

"Above all, not too much zeal!"

                                               Talleyrand

https://www.unibocconi.it/en/news/ideals-and-selfcontrol-make-modern-diplomat

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

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

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/2014/05/20140512_la_diplomazia_rel_internazionali/

https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomaziaeconomica/l-attrazione-degli-investimenti/governance/ and all the links on the right

https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomaziaeconomica/ and all the links on the right

https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/

https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/ and all the links on the right

https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cooperscientificatecnologica/ and all the links on the right

https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomaziaeconomica/promozione-integrata-del-sistema/diplomazia-dello-sport/

https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomaziaeconomica/promozione-integrata-del-sistema/le-rassegne-tematiche/

http://www.ediplomat.com/nd/essays/delaboulaye.htm
http://www.ediplomat.com/nd/functions.htm
http://www.ediplomat.com/nd/essays/maclehose.htm
https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/ideal-qualities-successful-diplomat

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/seven-traits-highly-effective-diplomats-what-i-learned-tim-minahan

https://bciu.org/commercial-diplomacy-the-ambassadors-role-in-boosting-economic-competitiveness/

file:///D:/Downloads/Commercial_Diplomacy_English_WEB_1_.pdf

https://afsa.org/six-elements-effective-economic-commercial-diplomacy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/14/ambassadors-job-diplomat-training
http://books.google.it/books?id=SXFePmd2uEIC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=qualities+diplomat&source=bl&ots=SLd2eiwMdJ&sig=2Y6qHdQ5Z8tLTjVZmTq3L_2M6Lw&hl=it&sa=X&ei=_idoT_D7M_Da4QSX8ZmGCQ&ved=0CEMQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=qualities%20diplomat&f=false
http://www.oocities.org/metisfederation/dqs.html
http://www.ediplomat.com/nd/essays/kitahara.htm
http://www.ediplomat.com/nd/essays/gruber.htm
https://www.diplomacy.edu/topics/grassroot-diplomacy/

http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/10/23/10-parting-thoughts-for-americas-diplomats/

https://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/general/who-needs-diplomats-problem-diplomatic-representation
http://culturalrelations.org/the-top-10-qualities-of-a-successful-21st-century-diplomat/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_diplomacy

https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/blog/italy-soft-power-superpower-new-official-projection-italian-creativity

https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/05/23/emerging-trends-in-global-diplomacy/

https://www.diplomacy.edu/topics/digital-diplomacy/

https://czasopisma.marszalek.com.pl/images/pliki/siip/18/siip1802.pdf

https://www.iprc.com.tr/diplomacy-in-the-digital-era-between-opportunities-and-risks/

https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/blog/dark-side-digital-diplomacy

 

https://consrosario.esteri.it/it/news/dal_consolato/2021/10/storie-diplomatiche-nuovo-podcast/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itPrx2LAmYs

Some diplomatic language for maintaining a neutral style

The notes on various topics that you will find on this website are based on my reading and summarizing of points made by a series of authors and sources. They are not my personal opinion unless a personal opinion is an attempt to summarize the points made by various sources. They are simply intended as background to help you form your own ideas as you do your own reading and research. However, they are only in note form and you need to qualify these kinds of comments and statements with the following kind of introductory phraseology in order to maintain a neutral tone and diplomatic style:
Some experts argue that….. / many experts suggest that …. /it is often argued that…. /it has been suggested that…../some political commentators argue that…. / many political commentators claim that…. / According to ..... /  it is sometimes claimed that.… /some academics make the case that …… /it is often pointed out that..../ most experts agree that….. / most commentators seem to agree that… /there seems to be general agreement that…. / there seems little doubt that… / it is unclear whether… /generally speaking it seems that…. / one could argue that…./ on the whole…../ apparently…. /other experts have raised questions regarding…/ in social terms…/ in economic terms…/ in political terms… / theoretically… /in theory… / in practice…. / it has been alleged that…../
You might want to use this kind of language when introducing a new opinion or interpretation of events, but you should not exaggerate. Don't put these expressions in front of every sentence, and don't use them inappropriately, that is to say, in front of factual information. As you read you should collect other common expressions like those above.
You can also use structures based on inversion like this:
What is needed is a new strategy…
What is needed is for the government to work out a new strategy…
What the government needs to do is…

e sopratutto, in quello che scrivi al concorso, cerca di essere:

well-informed, up-to-date, balanced and familiar with Italy's position (and the EU's) on any particular question 

Some language and ideas for essay writing

How to write an essay

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-English-Essay

and then look at the sections on the right

some useful ideas and expressions for writing an essay:

https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/words-phrases-good-essays/

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/external/pdf/wordlists/opal/OPAL_written%20phrases.pdf

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=j3XY8uiO&id=7AF463E36692B168615725AD08B61442FA07EF1D&thid=OIP.j3XY8uiOmen_mSsNleZu8gHaKv&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fenglishgrammarhere.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F02%2F100-Academic-Words-Definition-and-Example-Sentences-768x1114.jpg&cdnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.com%2Fth%2Fid%2FR.8f75d8f2e88e99e9ff992b0d95e66ef2%3Frik%3DHe8H%252bkIUtgitJQ%26pid%3DImgRaw%26r%3D0&exph=1114&expw=768&q=academic+writing+useful+phrases&simid=608027628897710511&form=IRPRST&ck=875ED2AD58ED2BFEB6DB8376C39E0D5C&selectedindex=0&itb=0&qpvt=academic+writing+useful+phrases&cw=1152&ch=534&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=0&sim=11

https://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/style/

https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/academic-language/objective

http://fullspate.digitalcounterrevolution.co.uk/advanced-efl-essay-writing/advanced-essay-phrases.html

http://www.smart-words.org/linking-words/transition-words.html

https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/writing-useful-espressions-essay.php#.U_sBbqNvBOY

terminology:

http://www.cram.com/flashcards/international-relations-glossary-terms-550037

https://www.e-ir.info/2022/05/15/glossary-of-key-international-relations-terms/

and maybe:

Essays on Diplomacy:

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/ for relevant essays, type ‘diplomacy’ or ‘international relations’ or a specific topic like ‘Syria’ into the ‘search our essays’ section at the bottom of the page. Then wait – it’s slow to list all the links.

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/international-relations/

https://ivypanda.com/essays/importance-of-diplomacy-in-preventing-and-stopping-wars/

http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/Diplomacy-Intro

and maybe

http://www.businessballs.com/latin-terms-phrases.htm (but generally avoid Latin expressions in English) 

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/ 

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

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

The SIOI

https://www.sioi.org/?lang=en

https://www.sioi.org/chi-siamo/?lang=en

https://www.sioi.org/attivita/?lang=en

https://www.sioi.org/attivita/analisi-e-ricerca/?lang=en

https://www.sioi.org/msoi/?lang=en

https://www.sioi.org/attivita/eventi-speciali/unydp/?lang=en

https://www.facebook.com/UNYouthDelegateItaly

https://www.facebook.com/SIOI.UNAITALY

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=841970270480398

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=829948397892874 

Some more grammar and vocabulary revision sites – all levels

AI to B2+ levels

https://agendaweb.org/grammar-exercises.html

https://agendaweb.org/grammar-exercises-2.html

https://agendaweb.org/grammar/tests-quizzes3.html

https://agendaweb.org/grammar/tests-quizzes4.html

https://agendaweb.org/grammar/tests.html

B1 and B2

http://www.english-practice.at/ Great! Scroll down and look at the huge list of links!

B1 level

http://www.english-practice.at/b1/grammar/b1-grammar-index.htm

https://elt.oup.com/student/practicegrammar/advanced/a_testzone/?cc=it&selLanguage=it

B2 level

http://www.english-practice.at/b2/grammar/b2-grammar-index.htm

C1 level

https://agendaweb.org/vocabulary/tests-advanced-vocabulary3.html

https://www.examenglish.com/CEFR/C1.htm

https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/advanced.php

https://www.ihbristol.com/free-english-exercises/grammar-vocabulary-phrases/basic-verb-tenses

https://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/tests/

https://www.englishrevealed.co.uk/cae.php

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/vocabulary

https://www.examenglish.com/CEFR/C1.htm

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/c1-grammar

https://englishpracticetest.net/practice-english-grammar-tests-for-c1-with-answer/

(60 free tests with answers)

All levels

https://www.english-grammar.at/index.htm  there are grammar and vocabulary links on the right of the page and others as you scroll down