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| {{Infobox person
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| | name = Alexander Borum
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| | image = [[File:Alexander Borum PLF.jpg|thumb|Policy Leader Fellow - Alexander Borum]]
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| | caption = Alexander Borum, 2024, Policy Leader Fellow
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| | birth_date = 29 September 1984
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| | birth_place = Denmark
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| | nationality = Danish
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| | occupation = Diplomat, International Relations Professional
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| | known_for = Founder of ''IR Career Starters''
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| | employer = Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
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| }}
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| '''Alexander Borum''' (born 29 September 1984) is a Danish diplomat, international security specialist, and advocate for early-career development in international affairs. He has extensive experience in European Union crisis management and security policy, focusing on Somalia and the Horn of Africa. He serves as a special advisor in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, responsible for relations with the African Union, the EU-AU partnership as the thematic focal point for peace and security in Africa.
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| Borum is also the founder of '''IR Career Starters''', a widely recognised platform that provides curated career opportunities, practical guidance, and mentorship resources for students and young professionals entering diplomacy and international security.
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| == Early life and education ==
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| Alexander Borum earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a dual major in Political Science and International Relations at '''Tallinn University''' (2012–2015). He then obtained an Advanced Master of Science in International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) jointly from '''Leiden University''' and the '''Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael''' (2015–2017).
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| In 2022–2023, he completed a Master in International Leadership and Negotiations offered jointly by '''Universitat Europea de València''' and the '''United Nations Institute for Training and Research''' (UNITAR), specialising in multilateral diplomacy, negotiation and ripeness theory.
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| He has further undertaken professional training with:
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| * '''European Security and Defence College''' (ESDC) – Security Sector Governance & Reform, CSDP missions
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| * '''United States Institute of Peace''' (USIP) – Conflict Negotiation and Mediation
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| * '''School of Transnational Governance''' – Agile Governance
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| * '''European External Action Service''', '''Inter-American Development Bank''', and '''Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark''' – diplomacy, governance, and policy implementation
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| == Professional career ==
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| === Military service ===
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| Alexander Borum served in the '''Royal Danish Army''', initially in the armoured infantry with '''Jutlands Dragoon Regiment''', later in mechanised infantry with **The Prince's Life Regiment**, and finally with **The Logistics Regiment** in combat logistics.
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| He is a veteran of the '''NATO''' '''International Security Assistance Force''' (ISAF), having served a tour of duty in Helmand, Afghanistan in 2010. He later contributed to the '''Danish Home Guard''' as an Advisor on Good Governance.
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| === European Union and International Security ===
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| From 2020 to 2023, Borum worked with the '''European External Action Service''' (EEAS) in crisis management and security policy. Based in '''Mogadishu, Somalia''', he contributed to the European Union’s efforts in supporting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, including engagement with the '''African Union Transition Mission in Somalia''' (ATMIS) and '''EU Common Security and Defence Policy''' (CSDP) missions.
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| He focused on policy development, multilateral coordination, and security challenges, bridging European and African security frameworks.
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| Following his service in Somalia, Borum joined the Policy Leader Fellowship at the '''European University Institute''' '''School of Transnational Governance''' in Florence, Italy. He focused his research and work on the need for strategic autonomy, a coherent EU security posture in light of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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| He later joined the '''EU Institute for Security Studies''' as a consultant on hybrid threats, focused on '''Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference'''.
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| === Diplomatic service ===
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| In 2025, Borum joined the '''Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark''' , serving in the '''Africa, Development Policy, and Financing Department''' (AFRPOL).
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| AFRPOL is responsible for Denmark’s foreign, security, and development policies regarding Africa, including engagement with the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, and IGAD, as well as European Union partnerships with Africa. Borum is the thematic focal point for peace and security in Africa, working on EU–AU cooperation, regional security initiatives, and policy coherence in development and security.
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| == IR Career Starters ==
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| In 2018, Alexander Borum founded '''IR Career Starters''', a free and open-access platform providing:
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| * Monthly lists of internships, traineeships, and fellowships
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| * Practical advice for students and early-career professionals
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| * Career guides for international organisations, diplomacy, and security policy
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| The newsletter, published on **[https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6947917676669243392/ LinkedIn]** and **[https://ircareerstarters.substack.com/ Substack]**, has become a widely recognised resource for international relations students, young professionals, and university career centres.
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| In addition to the newsletter, Borum maintains **[https://www.ircareerstarters.com IR Career Starters]**, a website compiling global career opportunities and guides. He actively engages with early-career professionals through webinars, workshops, and speaking engagements, promoting **accessibility, mentorship, and progression in international careers.
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| == Publications and contributions ==
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| * Founder and author, '''IR Career Starters''' newsletter (2018–present)
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| * Contributor to webinars and career panels on diplomacy and international security
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| * Co-author of practical guides for European Union and international careers
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| == Expertise and public engagement ==
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| Borum is recognised for his expertise in:
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| * International security and crisis management
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| * EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
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| * Early-career development in international affairs
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| He shares insights on professional development in international relations through:
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| * LinkedIn articles and posts
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| * Speaking engagements at universities and career events
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| * Mentoring and advisory activities for early-career professionals
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| == See also ==
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| * [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/ir-career-starters-7081441919890601984/ IR Career Starters]
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| * [https://um.dk/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark]
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| * [https://www.eeas.europa.eu/csdp-missions-operations_en European Union CSDP Missions]
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| == External links ==
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| * [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-borum LinkedIn Profile]
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| * [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/ir-career-starters-7081441919890601984/ IR Career Starters Newsletter]
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| * [https://www.ircareerstarters.com IR Career Starters Website]
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| * [https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115937468 Wikidata Profile]
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Borum, Alexander}}
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| [[Category:Danish diplomats]]
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| [[Category:International relations scholars]]
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| [[Category:Career advisors]]
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| [[Category:Living people]]
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