Ukraine names recipient of Young Diplomat Award 2024 for advancing diplomatic development among youth

The Young Diplomat Award 2024 ceremony was held at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine on December 13. The initiative, founded by the United Youth NGO, recognized the impact of youth on the advancement of diplomacy and international relations.

The United Youth NGO reported that.

What is the problem?

Youth diplomacy is an important and relevant area in the field of international relations. Today, young leaders make a significant contribution to developing Ukraine's diplomatic relations and promoting Ukrainian culture abroad, but they often face prejudice due to their age. This creates a need for public recognition of young leaders' achievements in international relations and raises the question of increasing their motivation.

What is the solution?

The Young Diplomat Award is designed to change this situation. This initiative, founded by the public organization Academy of Youth Diplomacy "United Youth," aims to recognize and reward young leaders in international relations who make a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian diplomacy. The goal is to highlight their achievements, show the role of young diplomats in strengthening Ukraine's international image, and inspire others to pursue careers in this field.

How does it work?

In 2024, Nataliia Pidmurniak, an intern who presented a case of international cooperation among medical students, won the award. Her case, "Developing Cooperation with the International Community of Medical Students," showed how partnerships can be established where a full-scale war prevents hospital internships. The initiative helps unite young leaders who develop tools to disseminate Ukrainian narratives abroad.

"It is essential to convey to doctors who don't understand geopolitics why supporting young people is important. When the full-scale invasion began, medical students couldn't practice at hospitals. We are the individuals who will be working and saving lives here, but unfortunately, we do not have the chance to pursue our studies. I needed to communicate this message," Nataliia Pidmurniak said.

At the awards ceremony, there was a panel discussion about communication strategies to promote Ukraine's interests. Speakers, such as Anastasiia Shymchuk, Yevheniia Yemshenetska, Nataliia Radchuk, and Erik Kucherenko, offered practical tips on building trust, combatting misinformation, and utilizing innovative communication methods.

In addition to the top prize, the Bohdan Havrylyshyn Family Foundation provided informational support to the five most outstanding youth diplomacy cases of 2024. These cases showcase the powerful influence that youth initiatives can have on different levels – from fostering connections among students overseas to showcasing Ukraine on global platforms in unique ways.