International Young Diplomats School (IYDS) is a pioneering initiative of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies keeping in view the significance of diplomacy in the changing globalized world with innovation and new technologies. IYDS is a model of Summer School of international standards with Three Days engaging and illuminating practical understanding about diplomacy and its worldwide practices from experienced Ambassadors, Diplomats, Policy Makers, Leaders including visits to the Embassies and briefing Sessions at important ministries. The course is meant for the dynamic and exceptional professionals including mid-career leaders and students from Universities with different academic backgrounds ready to expose themselves with the innovative ideas with fresh skills of diplomacy, leadership, and decision making to coup with the challenging national and international environment.
IYDS is aimed to address the needs of emerging young leaders of age 18-40 years having a deep interest and background of Social Sciences, Peace, Conflict, Development, Law, Business, Trade, Anthropology, International Relations,Psychology, and Diplomatic Studies. We also strongly encourage those with having backgrounds of Natural Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Technology and other related fields to come and join this important forum to be part of our journey to enrich and diversify the Diplomacy and Diplomatic Practices not only in Pakistan but worldwide. Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies organise this School every fourth months and thrice a year providing Embassies to interact with common Pakistani professional and young students from different regions of Pakistan to have interaction, develop understanding about Pakistan and vice versa.
The third edition of IYDS was organized by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies in collaboration with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in South (COMSATS). Participants of this edition were from different regions of Pakistan i.e. KPK, FATA, Interior Sindh, South Punjab, North Punjab, ICT, Balochistan, Kashmir, Indonesia and Pakistani professionals living in China with diverse professional backgrounds. The participants of the 3rd Edition of the International Young Diplomats School were from diverse regional and professional backgrounds. The Cohort also include professionals including journalists, faculty members, development professionals, academicians, lawyers, bankers while there were students from different regions of Pakistan.
The School commence with inaugural session at the premises of COMSATS Headquarters with interactive session amongst the participants with the theme “Breaking a Barrier and Communications Strategies”. The school was divided into country-wise thematic sessions with in total eleven sessions wherein three sessions of the program were at the premises of the Venue of the School while rest of the seven sessions were hosted by the Ambassadors/Embassies at their premises while one was hosted by the US Embassy at the National Library of Pakistan.
The sessions were hosted by H.E Mr. Nicolae Goia, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan at the embassy premises, H.E Mr. Rolf M.Hay Pereira Holmboe, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan at his residence, H.E Mr. Thomas Kolly, Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan hosted a briefing session at the Embassy of Switzerland in Islamabad, Ms. Iona Thomas, Political Counselor at the British High Commission in Islamabad had an interactive session at the venue of the School at COMSATS Headquarters, H.E Ms. Anne Marchal, Deputy Head of Mission, Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan at EU Delegation Islamabad, H.E Mr. Bernhard Schlagheck, Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany in Pakistan at his residence, Ms. Lisa Swenarski, Country Cultural Affairs Attaché and Mr. James Tyson, Economic Officer from Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy in Islamabad had session with participants at the National Library, Mr Brek Batley, Deputy High Commissioner, Australian High Commission Islamabad on ‘Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Traditions of Australia at the COMSATS Headquarters, H.E Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Pakistan at the Embassy of Sri Lanka to Islamabad and finally H.E Mr. Manuel Duran, Ambassador of Spain in Pakistan hosted a session with the participants at his residence with the final Certificate distribution ceremony.
INAGURAL SESSION
The inaugural session was held at COMSATS Headquarters with the theme “ Breaking the Barriers and Communications Strategies” conducted by Ms. Farhat Asif, President, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies. The aim of the session was introduction and creating group synergies.
SESSION WITH AMBASSADOR ROMANIA
First Session was hosted by H.E Mr. Nicolae Goia, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan at the Embassy premises. The Ambassador briefed the participants about Romania, Pakistan-Romania Relations and potentials to collaborate from both sides followed by candid discussion in questions and answer session from the participants. The participants had developed deep understanding about Romania and questions were asked about the Education, Economic and cooperation opportunities for professionals and students in Romania. Later participants mingled with Ambassador and other Embassy diplomats for further discussions.