What is the Junior Diplomat Initiative and how does it contribute to the next generation of diplomacy?
The Junior Diplomat Initiative (JDI) at the Geneva Graduate Institute aims to build bridges between students and the world of diplomacy. Through a range of activities such as informal exchanges or high-level discussions with diplomats as well as visits to embassies or permanent missions, JDI provides students with a unique platform to engage with practitioners from diverse diplomatic fields, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world diplomatic practice. By offering opportunities to apply their knowledge in practical settings, JDI cultivates critical thinking, deepens students’ understanding of international relations, and equips them with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the complexities of global diplomacy.
Diplomacy is evolving from its traditional forms to address new topics and include new actors. How is JDI meeting these changes?
JDI is committed to showcasing the different sectors in which “diplomacy” broadly appears. For example, we have hosted events on private and public humanitarian diplomacy, and will explore the fields of technology and climate diplomacy, along with diving into the area of sustainability in the luxury sector. These events address developments in the growing use of soft power by diplomats through global governance, artificial intelligence, and the plurality of non-governmental and civil society organisations that are stakeholders in efforts for international cooperation.
What do you see as the future of diplomacy? What role will young diplomats need to play?
Multilateralism is under scrutiny, and political crises resulting in economic uncertainty and sanctions have led to strained geopolitical relations and a decrease in traditional diplomatic efficiency. As a result, political focus is shifting to regional organisations such as ASEAN and the EU, or economically like-minded countries such as the expanding BRICS group.
However, this great disruption of traditional diplomacy can also be seen as a unique opportunity, as new technologies have grown to disseminate information to the masses. Community-level and civil society organisations rely less on larger organisations as platforms to receive funding and reach a wider audience, making it easier to raise awareness of human rights issues internationally.
Despite these uncertainties and shifts in the world order, our generation remains committed to multilateral values and cooperation. Young diplomats will need to adapt to this rapidly evolving diplomatic landscape by utilising digital tools, promoting regional cooperation and engaging more with non-traditional actors such as civil society and the private sector. Their role will be critical in fostering innovative solutions to global challenges and ensuring that diplomacy remains inclusive and responsive to emerging issues.
Learn More about the Junior Diplomat's Initiative
This article was published in Globe #35, the Graduate Institute Review.
