By Mr. SEZERANO Eliachim, from Burundi
Young leaders in diplomacy: a sure strategy for development.
Diplomacy is commonly defined as the art of conducting negotiations between nations and the ability to manage international affairs without provoking hostility, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition. This conception highlights the strategic, peaceful, and preventive dimension of diplomacy in the international system. As a fundamental tool of international relations, diplomacy contributes to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and the promotion of cooperation between states. However, traditional diplomacy excludes the involvement of young people, which means that future generations are not being prepared. From this perspective, lasting peace cannot be envisaged without the active involvement of young people, as explicitly recognized in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on youth, peace, and security.
Ambassador of Peace – Founder of BETTER FUTURE FOR YOUTH – Burundi
When young people are trained in diplomatic processes and international relations, they develop essential skills such as negotiation, mediation, strategic communication, and ethical decision-making. Representing the majority of the world’s population, particularly in Africa, young people are a key lever for addressing contemporary challenges. Lasting peace built without the inclusion of young people remains fragile and illusory. Their dynamism, adaptability, and long-term outlook enable them to develop sustainable strategic visions. Thus, leadership and diplomatic skills, which are acquired through training and experience, awaken young people’s awareness of their role and enable them to transform their potential into concrete actions that serve their communities.
My practical experience confirms this theoretical approach.
As a Young Ambassador of the East African Community for Burundi since 2024 and a member of the EAC Youth Parliament, I have observed that the role of young people in diplomacy goes beyond mere symbolic representation. It is also about building the capacity of other young people to form a critical mass of competent leaders capable of contributing to local and regional development. This conviction has led me to set up training forum initiatives aimed at preparing committed young people who are aware of diplomatic issues and able to participate actively in development and governance processes.
Several international organizations highlight the strategic advantages of involving young people in diplomatic corps. The United Nations recognizes that their inclusion strengthens innovation and creativity in the face of complex challenges such as climate change, peace, and security. The UN Youth Strategy highlights the improvement of the representativeness and democratic legitimacy of diplomatic processes, while the OECD emphasizes the preparation of a new generation of leaders and the strengthening of institutional human capital. Furthermore, Resolution 2250 emphasizes the role of young people in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and the Global Diplomacy Index demonstrates the importance of digital diplomacy, an area in which young people have a comparative advantage. In conclusion, the involvement of young people in diplomacy is an essential strategy for ensuring security, stability, and sustainable development at the national, regional, and global levels. However, we must recognize the challenges associated with youth involvement and take steps to overcome them.
As a participant, I sincerely welcome the initiative of Mr. Gabriel M. Saint, President of the Youth Institute, to have launched this platform to give young people the opportunity to be inspired and to inspire others.
Mr. SEZERANO Eliachim,
Ambassador of Peace – Founder of BETTER FUTURE FOR YOUTH – Burundi – YOUTH INSTITUTE
