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 contemporary history and current affairs.
8) To
what extent is ‘security’ now the key word in international relations?
9) How have
developments in the Arab world 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 intervention in response to a humanitarian crisis?
16) What are
the main challenges and opportunities facing Africa?
17) What are
the main characteristics, benefits and drawbacks of globalization?
18) Outline
some of 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 rights – 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) and, in
particular, artificial intelligence (AI) 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 today?
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?
Comment on the progress made regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
40) How is
Italy's diplomatic corps involved in the safe-guarding of Italy's cultural
heritage and cultural heritage sites 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
and should 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 challenges and concerns that the Hungary is having to deal with during its presidency of the
Council of the European Union from July to December 2024? What is the Hungarian 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 with particular reference to Italy and
its partners?
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 an
Italy-Africa ministerial conference in Rome. 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 and government officials on a
short visit to Italy following Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to China in July
2024 to relaunch relations. Write a short speech of welcome and introduction, outlining
Italy’s goals and some of the things that have been organized for them.
61) How may
the results of the recent French elections affect the EU and international
relations?
62) What challenges
and opportunities does the post-Brexit relationship present for 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 and in 2023)? 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 2025 in The Hague, the Netherlands? 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 Türkiye? Is it a good deal for the EU? 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 are some
of the goals of the Rome International Model United Nations? What are its
strengths and weaknesses?
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 last annual European
Space Conference in January 2024, or the next one in January 2025.
78) The EU and
further enlargement – is this the right moment? Is this desirable? What is the
public attitude to this prospect? Should we instead focus on greater
integration?
79) Currently what
are the main goals and challenges for the UN Secretary General?
80) 2024-5, 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? If so,
where?
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 commercial
and political relations with China?
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 Türkiye. Discuss.
91) What is 'soft
power' and how is it exercised? To illustrate your ideas, give examples
relating countries other than Italy.
92) How much is
Italian economic diplomacy worth? What is it? How is it organized? 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,
the EU 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 2023-24, 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) How should
the international community deal with modern slavery?
110) Action on
global climate change and the outcome of COP 28. Discuss,
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 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), artificial intelligence (AI) 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 – What is it and what opportunities and challenges does it bring?
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 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 January, on:
Italy’s
Recovery and Resilience Plan – opportunities and prospects for investors,
progress made so far and the challenges remaining.
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 NextGenerationEU (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 (AI). Write a memorandum for him on Italy’s strategy in
this area.
134) Is rapid
economic 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 facing 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.
145) What role
does the BRICS group play and what are its prospects for the future?
146) What role
does Türkiye
in international relations?
147) What
role does Iran in international relations?
Past titles
from the concorso.
https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/lavora-con-noi/concorsi-pubblici/carriera_diplom/i_temi/
Lingua
inglese
2023
The scramble for
natural resources in the oceans and in the outer space.
Last May, the Director General of the UN World Health
Organization (WHO) declared “with great hope” an end to Covid-19 as a public
health emergency: sketch the aftermath and lessons learned.
Ukraine, Middle
East, EU and Africa in the framework of the current foreign policy of Turkey.
2022
One of the
strategic priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation is to assure an effective support for Italian nationals abroad,
especially in times of crises. Describe how an Embassy and the Ministry manage
to achieve this goal. Provide empirical evidence.
Prepare a letter
to the editor-in-chief of a newspaper protesting for a misquote of your
Ambassador in an interview on Italy’s position on the reform of the UN Security
Council. Clearly and concisely state Italy’s position on the
issue.
The Permanent
Representative of Italy to the UN in New York will deliver a speech at the next
session of the UN Sixth Committee. Prepare his national statement on the agenda
item “State immunity under international law and current challenges”.
2021
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
2023
Le relazioni tra Unione Europea e Balcani, alla luce
delle recenti tensioni che attraversano la regione. Il ruolo dell’Italia.
La diplomazia scientifica quale strumento per
affrontare le sfide globali: dall’intelligenza artificiale ai cambiamenti
climatici.
Le relazioni tra Israele e il mondo arabo tra tensioni
e interdipendenze.
2022
Il valore dello scambio di visite di personalità a
livello internazionale nell’era della comunicazione digitale.
Il Rappresentante permanente italiano partecipa a una
riunione del Gruppo africano presso le Nazioni Unite a New York. Il
candidato/la candidata predisponga il suo intervento a sostegno della
candidatura dell’Italia all’elezione per un seggio non permanente del Consiglio
di Sicurezza dell’ONU.
Gli approcci europeo e cinese al continente africano,
tra esigenze di sviluppo, sicurezza, commercio e dinamiche migratorie.
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/
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/
