What Junior Diplomatic Academy students discovered about the workings of consular services

At this session, participants of the Junior Diplomatic Academy gained a deeper understanding of the consular service — a key aspect of Ukraine’s foreign policy responsible for protecting citizens’ rights and interests abroad. Iryna Shum explained the role of consuls, their responsibilities, and what a typical day looks like for a Ukrainian representative overseas.

In an open discussion, she detailed how consular services operate worldwide and in Ukraine, traced their historical development, and explained key provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations as well as Ukraine’s Consular Statute. A special focus was on the unique challenges consuls face during wartime, such as protecting Ukrainian citizens abroad, coordinating evacuations, working with local authorities, and supporting communities.

Students explored real-life examples from Ms. Iryna’s work, ranging from urgent crises to routine responsibilities that demand calm, precise judgment, and empathy. Her personal stories offered insight into the human side of consular service — the aspect of diplomacy where official duties meet deeply personal impact.

Rita Kosyak, director of the Junior Diplomatic Academy, highlighted that these sessions give students a chance to experience diplomacy firsthand, through real people rather than textbooks. She stressed that learning about the role of consuls in wartime helps young diplomats appreciate the state’s responsibility to protect and support its citizens.