The big, wide world has always fascinated me. Not just its landscapes and landmarks, but the people and stories that bring it to life: the conversations, cultural exchanges and moments of connection. That quiet exchange of understanding, opinions and beliefs feels as intrinsic to humanity as it does to growth. And it’s what Wilton Park does best.
This respect for dialogue, not just as a tool but as a philosophy, made my discovery of Wilton Park feel like a stroke of fortune. I say “discovery” because, as a Worthing-born, self-confessed politics nerd, I still can’t quite believe I spent 22 years not realising that Wilton Park, this hidden gem of diplomacy within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, was tucked away just up the road.
My journey with Wilton Park began in 2022, while studying for an MA in Development Studies at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. That year, I joined the first Youth Ambassador Network, a programme designed to introduce young people to the many sides of diplomacy and Wilton Park’s role in shaping it. Fast forward to spring 2025 and with a renewed sense of purpose and just enough real-world know-how to wrangle Outlook calendars, I returned as an intern in the Policy Team.
Since joining Wilton Park in June, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to an extraordinary mix of global conversations — spanning national security and defence, international development, technology and innovation, climate change, and beyond. Most recently, I helped deliver our 16th annual conference on extended nuclear deterrence and assurance, working alongside government and industry leaders to bring months of planning to life. Seeing the entire planning process come to life was a real full-circle moment.
Now truly working from within, what stands out to me is how uniquely rich and intricate Wilton Parks approach is. From its inception, Wilton Park has sought to “concentrate on the awkward and vital issues,” through a lens that is “brief, trenchant, and if possible, witty”. Though the gravity of many discussions may not always leave room for wit, the principle remains: real progress emerges from open, challenging dialogue and not from rigid rhetoric that stifles creativity. And for that dialogue to matter, it must be diverse. Perspectives drawn from different countries, cultures, and communities aren’t just helpful but rather essential to fostering the kind of honest, dynamic exchange that leads to meaningful change.
What makes this job so brilliant is its unpredictability: no two days, or events, are ever the same. It’s a rare opportunity to walk down intellectual avenues previously overlooked, and it’s completely reshaped how I see my career unfolding. Above all, the people I’ve met, bound by a collective ambition to create meaningful change, remind me why this is an industry I want to be part of.
Working in the historic Wiston House is also remarkable in its own right. At times it feels like a labyrinth but above all, it feels like a diplomatic haven. From its sweeping grounds to centuries-old paintings, the setting shapes the experience as much as the dialogue itself. And when you’re working on some of the world’s most complex challenges, the chance to step outside into the Sussex countryside is unmatched. The silence is liberating. It strips away the noise of daily life and the tyranny of the usual top-button conference, creating space to focus on what matters most: to listen, to learn, and to think clearly while working at full pace. It is, in every sense, a world apart from the bustle of city life.
One might expect an atmosphere of pretentiousness in a place so steeped in history, especially when sharing a room with some of the world’s leading minds dissecting their fields with precision and passion. Yet the reality is the opposite. Wilton Park thrives on openness, and from the moment you arrive you’re greeted not with hierarchy, but with humanity. There’s a shared ethos of warmth, professionalism, and collaboration running through every team here, woven into the very fabric of everything we do.
Naturally, as an intern, I still have a long way to go (and plenty more acronyms to decode – shoutout to my fellow civil servants). But just as this place has had a profound impact on others, it’s already had one on me. Not just professionally, but personally. It’s impossible not to feel the buzz of shared discovery throughout the conference room during an event. Impossible not to stand in awe as participants from all corners of the world step into a space that quickly becomes common ground. And perhaps most importantly, impossible not to feel a quiet sense of duty and gratitude as you walk through the door knowing you’re playing a small part in driving change for global good.