By Ethan Chiang ‘27
Political science scholarship posits that small states engage in a paradigm of asymmetric normalcy with large states—often being overattentive to their interests in order to survive the international world order. While states may in fact choose to bandwagon with or balance against larger powers, Ireland—a small island nation in the European Union—has shown me how values-based diplomacy grounds their approach to foreign policy, irrespective of its comparative military and economic size.
In the summer of 2025, I had the privilege of interning with the Global Ireland and Economic Division (referred to as Globec) at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). While it was the first year a Notre Dame student had interned with Globec specifically
, all my colleagues and supervisors were quick to warmly welcome me and integrate me into their team. Charged with expanding Ireland’s global influence and impact, these units promote Irish interests and values across various sectors of culture, economics, sports, diaspora, etc. The cross-sectoral and interdepartmental nature of their work allowed me to engage in a diverse range of projects over the course of the summer. From supporting projects on sports diplomacy, SXSW, market diversification, and mission reports to assisting with events like the Africa Ireland Trade Horizons Conference and National Day of Commemoration, I gained insight into the many arms of Ireland’s soft power and international engagements.
Working at the events, in particular, allowed me to connect with ambassadors and chargé d’affaires from nations around the world. As a student studying business analytics and global affairs, this experience allowed me to see my academic studies applied in a foreign service context. In further discerning a potential career in this field, it was enlightening to see the strategic foundation and work that underlies the public-facing diplomacy we often see in the media.
One of the focal points of my work was on sports diplomacy, as the Government of Ireland had recently approved a new International Sports Diplomacy Framework. Recognizing the unique power of sport in building connections across nations, this Framework sought to use sport to enhance intercultural understanding and advance Ireland’s foreign policy priorities and values abroad. In reviewing proposed projects from Ireland’s missions around the world, I was struck by the innovative ways in which sports diplomacy could be used not only to forge new partnerships but also to advance the common good through the promotion of human rights and sustainable development.
This particular ability of diplomacy to bridge differences is salient in the current context of acute geopolitical fragmentation—wherein the underpinnings of even the most longstanding alliances are continually being tested. While this was not an explicit part of my work over the summer, it continued to be an ongoing point of conversation in the Department, as the US-Europe transatlantic relationship faced unprecedented strains and challenges. These conversations felt like a natural extension of many of the discussions I had in a “Deep Dive into Diplomacy” course I took with Professor Clemens Sedmak in the spring semester prior to arriving in Dublin. The class, sponsored through the Nanovic Institute’s Diplomacy Fellows program, involved a trip to notable fora of diplomacy and international law such as the International Criminal Court, NATO headquarters, European Parliament, and European External Action Service. I am deeply grateful for these collective experiences, allowing me to hold them in conversation and to see diplomacy in action on both a national and wider continental scale. For me, it has reinforced the importance of multilateralism, a commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and human rights at a time when these norms appear to be weakening in an environment of great power competition.
This notion of “fracturing” was also the theme of the MacGill Summer School, which I attended at the conclusion of my internship with a group of fellow Notre Dame interns. This three-day conference convened government ministers, parliamentarians, heads of industry, economists, and other thought leaders to discuss critical issues facing Ireland, Europe, and the world. Situated against a backdrop of fracturing at the local and global level, this conference taught me a great deal about Ireland’s politics, economy, culture, history and Ireland’s particular position in the world.
When I ultimately reflect on the growth I experienced, I take note of everything from learning how to properly pronounce Taoiseach or Tánaiste (Ireland’s Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, respectively) to the formative professional development from communicating with and working alongside my colleagues in an office environment. I hold a deepened appreciation and affinity for the day-to-day work of foreign ministries in supporting their countries’ international interests, whether on foreign policy issues or in cultivating relationships with another country. In a time when the face of diplomacy is dominated by political fallout or inflammatory accusations, my internship experience has reminded me that the work of the foreign service can be used to promote values that uphold human dignity and global cooperation.
On the penultimate day of my internship, my colleagues gifted me with an Ireland-Canada crossed flag pin and an Irish challenge coin, which a person is meant to show to others as a way of identifying their affiliation with the group. I now carry the flag pin with me on campus, and I look forward to the next time I can display my challenge coin on the Emerald Isle.