Youth get chance to be ‘diplomat for a day’ in contest

Young people who are aspiring to join the diplomatic service get to be a ‘diplomat for a day’ in an annual contest organised by the British and Canadian high commissions to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8.

A select group of aspiring diplomats will engage in learning activities covering foreign policy and diplomacy, governance and democracy, and advocacy and communications.

The Diplomat for a Day contest builds on previous High Commissioner for a Day and LeadHER for a Day initiatives, with a renewed focus on promoting gender equality by opening the competition to young people in all their diversity.

The sessions will be facilitated by staff from the high commissions, governmental bodies, civil society, and international partners in the weeks leading up to March 8. The programme concludes with an International Women’s Day event hosted by British High Commissioner Scott Furssedonn-Wood and his Canadian counterpart Lilian Chatterjee.

Aligned with the IWD social media theme #InspireInclusion, the competition which is open to Barbadians aged 16 to 24 years old began on Monday. The successful candidates are expected to be highly motivated young leaders committed to advancing gender equality and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Canadian High Commissioner Chatterjee highlighted the crucial role youth play in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and building a better world for future generations: “Diplomat for a Day provides a platform for meaningful youth engagement on contemporary and often complex issues by highlighting the importance of diplomacy in building a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous global community. Canada is proud to partner with the UK to advance gender equality and ‘inspire inclusion’ among Barbadian youth.”

The British High Commission and the High Commission of Canada view this initiative as an opportunity for cross-cultural engagement, knowledge transfer, and networking for young individuals.

The application form and additional information about Diplomat for a Day can be found on Twitter/X: @UKinCaribbean & @CanHCBarbados; and Instagram: @UKinCaribbean & @canadabarbad.
(PR/BT)