Our youth as ambassadors

Yitzhak Eldan, israelhayom.com

Eldan image from article

Extract:

On Wednesday, events will take place around the world emphasizing the important potential of young people as contributors to the development of their countries. On this day, a call will go out to state leaders to encourage their youth to take on an active role in community life out of a recognition of their vitality and ability to contribute to achieving national goals.

In Israel, there is less of an understanding of youth's ability to get involved in the national effort to improve the country's diplomatic status and image in the international community. The Foreign Ministry has always realized the importance of diplomacy and ties between countries as the foundation of diplomatic relations -- and youth diplomacy is an integral part of that. Hundreds of young people from all over the country are active in different ways during their free time, volunteering to help their local communities with international relationships, especially under the twin city initiative. They are also among the first to volunteer to help organize international events in their towns and to host delegations from abroad.

In light of growing efforts on the part of Israel's enemies to isolate and boycott our country, one of the most effective and important ways to advance Israel's interests is to get Israeli youth active on social media and online. This would include presenting the beautiful state of Israel, responding to those who attack Israel and developing relations with youth in general, and especially Jewish youth, around the world.

Direct face-to-face contact with youth abroad is the most effective way to develop a young Israeli leadership that crosses borders, positively influencing foreign discourse. Traveling abroad as part of a public diplomacy delegation and inviting youth to visit Israel would significantly contribute to Israeli representation abroad.

Youth diplomacy is worthy of governmental and other kinds of support, for example from Communications Minister Gilad Erdan and from Education and Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett. Minister Gila Gamliel's appointment as social equality minister also includes youth issues, and provides a great opportunity to promote as a priority the social and political involvement of young people in the local and international sphere. Israeli children today are born into a giant global village. It is up to those in charge of youth issues to provide them with the tools to thrive in the international arena.

On International Youth Day, we, as Israelis, should remember the advice that has been attributed to Albert Einstein: Large countries do not need great diplomats, as their power speaks for itself. Small countries, on the other hand, need diplomats who know how to represent and promote their interests in the most effective way.