From 5 to 9 October 2026, the Education & Training Programme of the Egmont Institute organised the 2026 edition of the Introductory Course to Belgium, at the initiative of H.E. Mr Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation. Bringing together around 40 diplomats recently posted in Brussels, the 5-day programme offered participants a comprehensive introduction to Belgium’s political, institutional and economic landscape, while providing opportunities to engage with Belgian authorities and fellow diplomats.
Officially opened by H.E. Mr Bart Ouvry, Director-General of the Egmont Institute, and H.E. Mr Filip Vanden Bulcke, Acting Director-General for Geo-economics and Economic Diplomacy at the FPS Foreign Affairs, the programme combined expert presentations, institutional exchanges and field visits. Participants gained insights into the functioning of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country’s federal institutional architecture and its foreign trade and investment ecosystem. Visits to the Federal Parliament, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the City of Antwerp and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, alongside activities in Brussels and Pairi Daiza, provided further opportunities to discover Belgium’s institutions, economy and cultural heritage.
The programme concluded at the Egmont Palace with a feedback session and a closing ceremony, during which participants received their certificates. Beyond familiarising newly arrived diplomats with Belgium and its institutions, the initiative contributed to strengthening professional networks, fostering mutual understanding and facilitating exchanges between the diplomatic community and Belgian stakeholders.
