Islamabad (TDI): Participants of the International Young Diplomats School (IYDS) held an interactive session at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan Country Office, where discussions focused on global affairs, governance challenges, climate action, and pathways towards a more resilient and inclusive future.
Tomorrow’s diplomacy begins with the young people we empower today.#UNDPinPakistan hosted young diplomats from @IpdsPakistan at our Country Office. They met Resident Representative Dr. @SamuelRizk, Deputy RR @Van_ntn, and senior management and exchanged insights on global… pic.twitter.com/akJgtBc9fW
— UNDP Pakistan (@UNDP_Pakistan) December 10, 2025
During the visit, UNDP Pakistan hosted the young diplomats and facilitated an exchange with Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk, Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen, and members of the senior management team. The engagement highlighted the importance of youth participation in shaping development discourse and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
Organised by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), the International Young Diplomats School serves as a platform linking young professionals, university students, and faculty members from across Pakistan with diplomatic missions and international organisations. The programme is designed to provide participants with first-hand exposure to diplomatic practice and international development work.
Running under the theme “Building Network of Future Leaders through Public Diplomacy,” IYDS brings together students of International Relations and mid-career professionals for direct engagement with career diplomats, foreign ambassadors, and representatives of the United Nations and its specialised agencies. The programme combines interactive sessions with structured visits aimed at developing a practical understanding of how diplomacy functions on the ground.
As part of the learning itinerary, the participants have also visited the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Labor Organisation (ILO) office in Islamabad. UNHCR briefed participants about agency’s work with refugees in Pakistan, as well as programmes supporting host communities across the country while ILO shared about critical work on Labor and work related laws and practices.
According to IPDS, these visits to UN agencies, alongside embassy engagements, are intended to nurture the next generation of Pakistani diplomats and policy professionals while supporting the public diplomacy outreach of diplomatic missions based in Pakistan. The initiative also provides embassies and international organisations with an opportunity to engage directly with emerging Pakistani professionals from diverse regions and backgrounds.
The International Young Diplomats School is organised annually by IPDS as part of its broader effort to strengthen public diplomacy, promote global engagement, and prepare young Pakistanis for careers in international affairs.
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