Young Leaders’ Forums

OYED

The Organization for Youth, Education and Development

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Young Leaders’ Forums

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy’s Young Leaders Forums are international networks of like-minded individuals who share an interest in strengthening intercultural relations within a region or country, or between particular regions or countries. The ICD’s first young leader’s forum was developed in 2003 and aimed to improve relations between Canada and Germany. Over the last decade we have developed a broad range of forums focusing on diverse bi- and multi-lateral relationships within and between Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Through these programs the ICD has become one of Europe’s largest independent cultural exchange organizations, bringing together stakeholders from diverse cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds.

The ICD has developed these Young Leaders Forums to bring together future leaders in politics, civil society, and the private sector, as well as other interested stakeholders. Each forum organizes regular Weeklong Seminars; academic and cultural programs that provide participants with an opportunity to network with one another, learn more about the region or relationship in focus, explore the increasing importance of cultural diplomacy, and discuss how they can organize their own activity to support the forum goals. Individuals join a Young Leaders Forum by taking part in one of these Weeklong Seminars.

The overall goal of the ICD Young Leaders Forums is to provide a platform for the leaders of tomorrow to expand their personal networks and, by supporting them in the organization of leadership initiatives, help them become activists and ambassadors for stronger intercultural relations.

The Aims of the Forums Are:

To foster international networks of likeminded individuals who have an interest in supporting and strengthening intercultural relations within or between the countries or regions in focus.
To give forum members a greater awareness of the history, development, and future of the field of cultural diplomacy and its application to the relationship or region in focus.
To offer forum members access to a range of informed perspectives and insights on cultural, political, and economic issues in the relationship or region in focus.
To support forum members with the organization of their own cultural exchange programs, known as leadership initiatives, that serve to strengthen intercultural relations at the local, national, and international levels.