On April 8th 2026, VUBMUN had the honour of attending a one-of-a-kind evening at the Résidence de France in Brussels, hosted by Ambassador Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes.
Former Chief of Protocol, Permanent Representative to UNESCO, and Ambassador of France to Monaco, Mr. Laurent Stefanini shared his insights on how the art of the French table has shaped international relations for centuries. The discussion drew from his book “À la table des diplomates”, which our students devoured before the evening. Our Board Members Zoélie Prickartz Lewkowiz, Lara Butenaerts, and Nena Mgbokwere had the honour of sitting à la table des diplomates and enjoying first-hand the art of diplomatic conversation.
For our students, it was a look into the softer, yet essential, dimensions of diplomacy: building relationships, reading a room, and recognising that understanding the person across the table is often just as important as the agenda on it.
Thank you to the French Embassy in Belgium for bridging the gap between academic and diplomatic worlds, and for investing in the next generation of global citizens. As a Model UN society, we spend our time simulating the debates and negotiations of international diplomacy, so there is something truly special about learning directly from those who have lived it.
That is why we are eager to bring some of these insights to the broader VUB student community, and we very much look forward to welcoming H.E. Ambassador Lapeyre de Cabanes to the VUB campus on April 24th.
