Some more essay titles

1)    Green energies – What are the challenges? Are we making progress? What can you say about current technologies, research and development? Give some examples.

 

2)    Economic Diplomacy – What is it? Illustrate your answer with specific examples regarding Italy.

 

3)    In practical terms, what kind of work does a 'Segretario di Legazione' do? What kind of person do you think the Ministry is looking for in terms of qualifications, experience, attitude and character?

 

4)    How is China's role in international relations growing?

 

5)    '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. What role do these things play in shaping public opinion? Can they affect international relations?

 

6)    Since December 1st, 2020, Italy has held the Presidency of the G20. This will culminate in the Leaders’ Summit, which will be held in Rome on October 30th and 31^st this year. What are some of the challenges and Italy’s priorities?

 

7)    How should Italy and the EU respond to the migration challenge?

 

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

 

9)    What are the main responsibilities of ordinary diplomats? What kind of work do they do? What kind of skills do they need? What kind of person makes a good diplomat?

 

10)           What is the role of ‘human identity’ in international relations?

 

11)           Covid-19 – What are the main features and consequences of the current health crisis and what has been our response to it? What are the prospects for the future?

 

12)           Italy and Libya – Discuss.

 

13)           What are some of the challenges in promoting respect for human rights? Give examples from recent or current international affairs.

 

14)           International intervention for humanitarian purposes – Discuss.

 

15)           What is the role of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in international relations?

 

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

 

17) Turkey and Europe – discuss.

 

28) Israel and the Palestinians – What are the prospects for a lasting peace settlement. What are the main questions that need to be dealt with?

 

19) Brexit – what aspects of Brexit still need to be agreed by the EU and UK? Are there any lessons to be learnt from the whole process?

 

20) 2021 marks the 25^th anniversary of the creation of the World Trade Organisation. What are its functions and how successful has it been?

 

21) 2021 marks the 10^th anniversary of the beginning of the Arab Spring(s). What is its legacy for the Arab world?

 

22) 2021 marks the 75^th anniversary of Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech. Are we facing a new Cold War?

 

23) 2021 marks the 50^th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Does the dialogue with China need to be relaunched? And if so, on what basis?

 

24) 2021 marks the 50^th anniversary of the publishing of the Pentagon papers provided by Daniel Ellsberg. How should the international community view whistle-blowers and their publishers? Discuss the problem in relation to Chelsea Manning, Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.

 

25) Climate change, global warming, adaptation and action – Discuss.

 

26) How should Italy and the EU respond to human rights violations and the suppression of democracy in other countries? Give examples.

 

27) The International Criminal Court. How does it work? What are the main challenges it faces?

 

28) The World Health Organization and international cooperation – Discuss.

 

29) The Sahel – poverty, failing states, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, terrorism – and the international community.

 

30) India – what are the domestic and foreign challenges for the world’s largest democracy?

 

31) Women and the international community – from victims to protagonists.

 

32) Youth and the international community – a voice for all those who are often exploited or ignored but are the major stakeholders in humanity’s future.

 

33) Given the global challenges, can the world still afford nation states?

 

34) How should Italy and the EU respond to human rights violations and the suppression of democracy in other countries? Give examples.

 

35) 2021 marks the 10^th anniversary of the beginning of the Arab Spring(s). What is its legacy for the Arab world and its neighbours?

 

36) The International Criminal Court – How does it work? What are the main challenges it faces? Give examples of some of the cases it has handled or is handling.

 

37) International intervention for humanitarian purposes. Discuss.

 

38) How much progress have we made so far towards the Sustainable Development Goals according to the UN and other reputable sources?

39) Is the leadership of the US and the West within the international community coming to an end? (or China, the US and the liberal world order. Discuss.)