Thirty-four professionals from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the third edition of the "Training and Updating Programme for Young Diplomats on the EU-CELAC Strategic Partnership". Organised by the EU-LAC Foundation and the German Federal Foreign Office, the course took place from 13 to 17 November in Berlin, Germany.
The programme was attended by participants from 31 countries from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, including representatives from countries that have historically had a smaller presence in bi-regional exchanges, such as Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname and Lithuania. In addition, 21 women professionals in the field of diplomacy took part.
During an intensive week of work, the participants immersed themselves in issues of vital importance for bi-regional relations between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union. Fundamental aspects such as the central role of multilateralism for the bi-regional relationship, the outcome of the EU-CELAC 2023 Summit and the importance of communication and digital media were addressed. In addition, issues such as democracy, citizenship, feminist foreign policy, climate change, economic cooperation, human rights, gender equality and migration policy were highlighted.
At the opening session of the programme, the Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation, Adrián Bonilla, highlighted the rules of mutual understanding for the bi-regional relationship, which allow both parties to come closer and move forward. He also underlined the opportunity for the younger generations to build long-term links between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Tobias Lindner, Deputy Minister at the German Federal Foreign Office, stressed the importance of building trust and reliable partners, especially in challenging times.
The Young Diplomats' Programme provided an opportunity to bring together young people with different perspectives to discuss the future of EU-CELAC relations in the current global context and to highlight both the strengths and the challenges facing both regions.
The EU-LAC Foundation would like to express its sincere gratitude to the German Foreign Office, the Ambassadors, the professors and representatives of the various associations that participated in the programme, as well as to each of the participants for their fundamental contribution to the success of this course and to the building of bi-regional relations.
