Belgian Teens Step Into Diplomacy on International Women’s Day
Four bright young women from Belgium got a unique chance to experience diplomacy first-hand on International Women’s Day 2023. Maëlle, Chloé, Elisabeth, and Jazmin won the exciting Diplomat for a Day 2023 competition, hosted by the UK, US, and Canadian Embassies.
Championing Gender Equality Through Diplomacy
The competition aims to tackle the underrepresentation of women—especially from minority groups—in diplomacy. By offering this eye-opening experience, organisers hope to inspire young women to pursue careers in diplomacy and become powerful advocates for change.
A Day Packed with Insider Access and Real Talk
The winners kicked off their day with breakfast at the Canadian Embassy. They then dived into a crash course in negotiation, enjoyed lunch with female diplomats from the three embassies, and visited the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a behind-the-scenes look. The highlight? Meeting Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib in person!
Voices of the Future
Maëlle, 17: “It was interesting to discover the profession of diplomacy and learning how countries are connected to each other.”
Elisabeth, 17: “In the future, I want to represent women’s voices: their strength; individuality and determination.”
Chloé, 16: “Equal rights are crucial not only for women, but also for the entire society.”
