Consular Conversations: Diplomacy in the 21st Century

About this event

Dive into the fascinating world of diplomacy in the turbulent 21st century with speaker Raphaël Dang, Consul General of France in Vancouver.

Diplomacy is one of the world’s oldest professions. Indeed, an ancient one. Across centuries of war and peace, trade and coercion, threats and cooperation, diplomacy has continuously evolved, adapting to shifting global realities. But what is expected of diplomats today and what will be expected of them in the decades ahead, in this turbulent 21st century?

How can they fulfill their mission at a time when long-standing rules and historical landmarks are being questioned or even violated, while States must urgently confront global challenges such as climate change, poverty, gender inequality, and biodiversity loss? And finally, how are diplomats adapting to the new technological landscape, harnessing artificial intelligence, countering disinformation, and promoting truth to restore trust? Let’s talk about it and find out.

The SFU School for International Studies' Consular Conversations series is a monthly public forum featuring discussions with members of the Consular Corps in Vancouver. These conversations are moderated by Dr. Ricardo Arredondo, an IS Adjunct Professor and Consul General of Argentina. The goal is to bring together the Consular Corps of British Columbia for public lectures that encourage dialogue on issues that transcend borders, explore inspiring topics, and cultivate connections. We invite members of the consular corps of British Columbia and the Simon Fraser University community to join us.

Speaker

Raphaël Dang began his duties as the Consul General of France in Vancouver in September 2025. His jurisdiction covers British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and the Northwestern Territories.

Following higher education in Political Science, Public affairs, Economy, Italian and Chinese, Raphaël Dang has worked for the French Central Bank and then joined the French diplomatic service in 2013, where he started as a desk officer and negotiator on Sustainable development and climate change at the General Directorate for Globalization and partnerships.

In 2016, he was promoted as head of the team on EU development policies. He then served in the United Nations and International Organizations Department in Paris on Security Council negotiations. He then joined the Permanent mission of France to the United Nations in New York in 2017.

After four years in New York, he moved to Rome and the French Embassy to Italy where he served as counsellor on foreign policy and strategic affairs.

In November 2022, he joined Minister Catherine Colonna's private office, as counsellor on United Nations, multilateral, global and legal affairs. He was then appointed in the same position in the private offices of the two following Ministers of Europe and Foreign Affairs: Stéphane Séjourné and Jean-Noël Barrot.

Raphaël DANG has also taught international relations and Asian and Far East civilizations at Sciences Po Paris from 2013 to 2017.