Strategic Negotiations Course

Take Your Negotiation Skills to the Next Level

Starting April 2026, HCSS launches a Strategic Negotiations course for professionals operating at the intersection of business, geopolitics and international affairs. Led by HCSS peace negotiation specialist Sven Koopmans and deputy director Michel Rademaker, the programme equips mid- to senior-level executives with the insight, tools, and confidence to navigate high-stakes negotiations across cultures, borders, and sectors.

Over five afternoons across two weeks, participants engage with real-world cases, model exercises, and practical lessons from both corporate and diplomatic settings. By combining cutting-edge research with hands-on experience, the course empowers leaders to approach complex negotiations with clarity and strategic foresight.

The course fee is EUR 2.500 ex. VAT/BTW per person. One registration gives access to all sessions. Your registration must first be accepted before you get access to the course and make the payment.

April 2026 - course dates

Week 1:

April 7th: 13.00 - 18.30 (+ lunch)

April 9th: 16.00 - 20.00 (+ dinner)

Week 2:

April 13th: 16.00 - 20.00 (+ dinner)

April 15th: 16.00 - 20.00 (+ dinner)

April 17th: 13.00 - 18.30 (+ lunch)

About the course

Strategic Negotiations is an intensive, practice-oriented programme designed for executives facing complex international negotiations. Delivered over five afternoons within two weeks, the course blends in-person learning with ongoing professional commitments. The curriculum combines rigorous research with practical exercises, providing participants with both analytical depth and actionable strategies. Throughout the programme, participants engage in model negotiations, case studies, and scenario-based exercises designed to mirror real-world challenges.

Participants explore lessons drawn from:

• Corporate business-to-business negotiations
• Negotiations between companies and foreign governments
• Intercultural and multiparty negotiation settings
• High-level diplomatic negotiations on issues of war, peace and security

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals who navigate complex deal-making in an international context. Participants can include executives in internationally operating firms, teams managing long-term or politically sensitive negotiations, and professionals engaged in government relations or strategic partnerships.

The programme can be booked individually, exclusively for a company, or as a tailor-made course adapted to a specific industry, region, or strategic challenge. Participants benefit most if they are ready to apply advanced negotiation concepts directly to their ongoing professional responsibilities.

Why Attend? What Participants Gain

Participants gain practical tools, strategic insight, and the confidence to manage complex negotiations effectively. After the course, participants receive follow-on coaching from HCSS representatives, ongoing access to advanced exercises and simulations, and entry into a growing network of HCSS-trained negotiators. The programme equips leaders to anticipate challenges, manage uncertainty, and achieve superior outcomes in high-stakes international negotiations.

The course provides:

• Executive-focused reading materials prepared by HCSS
• Hands-on case studies grounded in real-world data
• Model negotiation exercises based on HCSS scenarios
• Team-based and individual exercises
• Personal feedback from senior HCSS trainers
• Negotiating Peace (Hard copy, Oxford University Press) by Sven Koopmans

Course Logistics

• Duration: 5 afternoons & evenings over two weeks
• Participants: 12–15
• Language: English (or Dutch if all participants speak Dutch)
• Location: HCSS offices, Lange Voorhout 1, The Hague
• Trainers: Sven Koopmans & Michel Rademaker
• Materials: Reading pack prepared by HCSS
• Start: First course begins April 2026

Download the course brochure for full details.

Don’t miss this opportunity to master the art of high-stakes, international negotiations under the guidance of Sven Koopmans and HCSS senior experts. Strategic Negotiations equips you with the strategies, tools, and confidence to navigate complex deals across borders, cultures, and sectors—skills that can transform outcomes for you and your organisation.

Spaces are limited to ensure an intensive, hands-on experience. Secure your place today or contact HCSS via info@hcss.nl / +31 (0) 70 318 4840 to explore bespoke courses tailored to your team’s strategic needs. Step into negotiations with clarity, authority, and impact.