Credit: © British Embassy Luxembourg
On Tuesday 10 March 2026, nine young women from Luxembourg had the opportunity to participate in the "Diplomat for a Day" programme organised by the British and Canadian embassies in Luxembourg to mark International Women's Day.
According to the organisers, the programme aimed to provide participants with insight into diplomacy, leadership and international engagement through a series of interactive activities and meetings with diplomats and policymakers.
The day began with an introduction to the realities of modern diplomacy, followed by an interactive crisis simulation exercise led by British Ambassador Joanne Olivier. During the exercise, participants were tasked with analysing complex international scenarios, negotiating under pressure and collaborating across teams.
The group later joined The Lisa Burke Show at RTL, where they discussed their motivations for applying to the programme and reflected on the role of women in international decision-making.
Participants also attended a working lunch at the British Residence, where they met members of the Luxembourg Ladies Ambassadors Club and spoke with the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania and the United States. Discussions focused on female leadership, career paths and the challenges faced in international relations.
In the afternoon, the group visited Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, where they met senior diplomats including Véronique Dockendorf, Director of Political Affairs, Angele da Cruz, Deputy Director of Political Affairs and Valérie Heyman, Director of European Affairs and International Economic Relations. The exchange provided insight into Luxembourg’s diplomatic priorities and its role in multilateral organisations.
The programme continued with a meeting with Stéphanie Obertin, Luxembourg’s Minister for Higher Education and Research, during which participants discussed equal opportunities for women and girls in education and research, as well as gender equality in academia.
The group also visited the Chamber of Deputies, where they met Luxembourg MP Gusty Graas, Chair of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, who spoke about his political career and Luxembourg’s role on the international stage.
The day concluded with a reception hosted by the Embassy of Canada to Belgium and Luxembourg, where participants were presented with certificates during a ceremony attended by diplomats and alumni of the programme.
