Conference on youth in diplomacy held at MVEP

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in collaboration with the Diplomatic Academy and the Sector for the UN and International Organizations, hosted the conference “Youth in Diplomacy: United in Common Values.” The event attracted a large number of interested students.
 
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman opened the conference, which was organized as part of the Youth in Diplomacy campaign and marked the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and the College of Europe. Through a panel discussion, digital exhibition, and a dedicated video presentation, over 80 participants—comprising young people, students, and graduates—had the opportunity to learn more about the role, history, and development of the Council of Europe.
 
The central part of the conference, moderated by Karlo Kolesar, Head of the Diplomatic Academy, featured a panel discussion with prominent speakers from the fields of diplomacy and international relations. These included Marija Pejčinović Burić, foreign minister from 2017 to 2019 and secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2019 to 2024; Ambassador Vladimir Matek, author of the book 75 Years of the Council of Europe; MP Marko Pavić, Head of the Croatian Parliament Delegation to PACE; and Professor Božo Skoko, a regular faculty member at the Faculty of Political Science.
 
The final segment of the conference was dedicated to presenting the Ministry’s scholarship program, which provides full scholarships for six students to attend study programs at the College of Europe campuses in Bruges, Natolin, and Tirana. After the presentation, participants had the chance to ask questions and learn more about specific study programs and the obligations awaiting them if they apply and are awarded a scholarship.
 
The entire event was part of the Youth in Diplomacy campaign, aimed at introducing young people to the diplomatic profession and informing them about study opportunities at the College of Europe. Following the discussion, two video messages inviting applications to the College of Europe programs were screened. In the first, the College’s Rector, Federica Mogherini, highlighted the advantages and importance of studying within the European Union. In the second, EU Careers Student Ambassador Gordan Kragić encouraged students to apply for the College of Europe programs.

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