LocationsMore than 55 participants from 46 countries gathered around the central theme “The future of diplomacy: overcoming challenges and preserving peace”
The seventeenth edition of the Summer School for Young Diplomats “Gavro Vuković” opened
June 24, 2024
UNDP/Duško Miljanić
The seventeenth edition of the International Summer School for Young Diplomats “Gavro Vuković” was opened in Berane, in front of the Gavro Vuković Memorial House. This year’s school gathered 55 participants from 46 countries, the largest number of participating countries to date.
Ekaterina Paniklova, the UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, reminded that the UNDP supports countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on supporting youth engagement worldwide.
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the effort to achieve justice, equality, and sustainable development. Your mission is to foster dialogue, build cultural bridges, and support empathy and mutual respect. I am confident that the new generation of diplomats – with integrity, neutrality, and proactive engagement – will rise to the challenges and address the pressing global issues”, Paniklova told the young diplomats.
Paniklova also congratulated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro and all participants of the Summer School on the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, emphasizing that their support and commitment to empowering female diplomats is crucial for the advancement of global diplomacy.
“It is my particular pleasure that we have gathered in Berane, in the home of Gavro Vuković, the founder of modern Montenegrin diplomacy. Our summer school has become a global platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices”, said Marija Maraš, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the opening.
She added that the school has so far gathered over 1000 international relations professionals, including 800 young diplomats from 88 countries and nearly 300 lecturers. Referring to this year’s theme of the school, “The future of diplomacy: overcoming challenges and preserving peace”, she emphasized that the key to successful diplomacy lies in recognizing and overcoming challenges to build and maintain peace, and in developing new models of cooperation in political, security, and economic areas.
“On this path, we have a special responsibility and obligation towards future generations of leaders on the international stage”, Maraš concluded.
The President of the Berane Municipality Assembly, Milun Rmuš, also addressed the participants. He expressed his satisfaction that Berane is traditionally the host of the opening ceremony of the Summer School, which already has a respectable reputation, and that another generation of young diplomats in Montenegro will acquire various knowledge and skills and gain insights into the challenges in international relations.
The program lasts until June 28. After the opening in Berane, it continues in Kolašin, Cetinje, Kotor, and Podgorica. This year’s school is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with UNDP and the Union for the Mediterranean.
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