14 th Summer School for Young Diplomats “Gavro Vuković“: Reinforce Trust and Cooperation to Shape Secure and Prosperous Future

In the circumstances of a global pandemic that affects the entire world, can we talk about a new approach in diplomacy – the one that is imposed by a new common adversary – a virus? Has the COVID crisis resulted in a faster development of science diplomacy, what direction is it taking, will it meet the expectations of humanity? Have countries become more open, particularly in terms of data exchange and then in terms of humanitarian and health assistance, as well? How has diplomacy functioned over the past two years, is Zoom Diplomacy central and abundant? Are diplomatic meetings, online and in-person, more assertive, honest and less official and sleek? These are just some of the questions that were opened and discussed during the XIV Gavro Vuković Summer School for Young Diplomats by experienced international relations professionals and their younger colleagues.

Bringing the World Together

The 14th edition of the Summer School for Young Diplomats “Gavro Vuković”, organized by the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was officially opened at July 5, 2021.

Young diplomats from Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australia “get together” online to discusses role and importance of diplomacy to reinforce trust and cooperation for shaping secure and prosperous future.

More than 70 young diplomats from over 30 countries had an opportunity to discuss issues of contemporary diplomacy with 50 prominent speakers, theorist and practitioners of international relations – experienced diplomats, professors, politicians, scientists, prominent public figures, experts, journalist and many more that joined their forces to share their knowledge and experience with younger colleagues.

The Summer School put a particular emphasis on the role and significance of diplomacy in maintaining the international peace and security, overcoming crises and developing new models of cooperation in international arena. It also provided an opportunity for young diplomats to get acquainted with the history, culture, as well as, foreign policy priorities of Montenegro, and establish through learning, exchange of views and socializing, mutual rapport and the basis for the future cooperation.

Ambassadors of a Better Future

At the opening of the XIV Summer School, emphasizing the importance of the Summer School for Young Diplomats, Tamara Srzentić, Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media of Montenegro reminded that Summer School created a network of more than 500 alumni from nearly 80 countries, and therefore represents a unique international event.  Apart from connecting Montenegro with the world, it enhances the knowledge of young diplomats who will have a critical role in shaping our future.

Referring to the challenges of the pandemic, Minister Srzentić noted that no country is capable of standing up to them on its own. In this context, “Summer School will enable us to share knowledge related to digital transformation and ways in which we can connect. It will also be a room for discussion about whether we have the proper knowledge and skills to face new challenges”, she said.

“You are ambassadors of a better future who will create a healthier and safer world by seeking to build resilient societies”, pointed out UNDP Permanent Representative in Montenegro Daniela Gasparikova. She stressed that “The Agenda 2030 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is the only truly universal plan that connects all countries and citizens across the planet” and express her belief “that our School alumni will contribute to the success and reinforce the dedication of countries to achieve the Goals”.

The Summer School pays tribute to the history and tradition as it bears the name of Duke Gavro Vuković, Foreign Minister of the Principality of Montenegro and one of the most important political figures in modern history of Montenegro. Gavro Vukovic Memorial House in Berane is place where generations of young diplomats gathered for the first day of the Summer School. However, even this year participants where prevented to visit Berane, Mayor of Berane Municipality Tihomir Bogavac addressing the Summer School participants spoke about Gavro Vukovic and his legacy of Montenegrin contemporary diplomacy.  He urged participants to inherit values that will allow them to be worthy of representing their state and people. “I will be proud that in your resumes will be a clue that in Montenegro you have cemented your steps on the road to adopting the standards of modern diplomacy,” he said.

Encouraging Cooperation, Building Trust

At the opening of the 14th Summer School for Young Diplomats, Ambassador Mirsad Bibović, stated on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro that Summer School project is an investment for the future.

Being part of the Summer School for Young Diplomats since its very inception, Ambassador Bibović introduced the participants to Montenegro, “a small country with epic history”, a NATO member, and an aspiring candidate to the European Union.

He brought a closer look at the development path of this project throughout the years and how it became the centre of excellence for networking and sharing best diplomatic practices. Moreover, “except for providing an opportunity for young diplomats to get acquainted with the history, culture and foreign policy milestones of the participating countries, this longevously and internationally acclaimed project also serves as a platform for promoting universal values and democracy-building, sustainable development, and new cooperation models for overcoming the crisis on regional, European, and international level”, he said.

Ambassador Bibović pointed out that only possible way to overcome existing and new challenges is if all parties get involved, young diplomats in primis, are willing to engage in constructive dialogue and knowledge-exchange.

Ecology, a New Challenge for Diplomacy

Lessons learned from the pandemic might lead us join our forces and empower cooperation in facing one of the key global chainages of today – climate change.

Climate diplomacy, ecology and international environmental strategies in formulating feasible responses to the key issue of today’s world – climate change are indispensably important, remained Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš, at opening day of the Summer School.

In this regard, diplomacy plays a fundamental role in awareness raising, enabling environmental transition and formulating international strategies for sustainable development and green growth. ” I am confident that with your youth and your beliefs you will be present in this debate that will dominate the decades to come”, emphasised Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš.

He noted that the issues pertaining to environmental protection can no longer be disregarded and should be put at the top of priorities, especially as they concern all of us, both individually and collectively, making international and cross-border collaboration an imperative.

Participants were reminded that that Montenegro is the first state that introduced the concept of “Ecological State” in its Constitution and that, as such, should play a pivotal role in proposing solutions and enhancing the environmental diplomacy in the Western Balkans region.

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XIV Summer School for Young Diplomats “Gavro Vuković”, organized by the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, was held from 5 to 9 July, 2021, in online format.  It gathered 70 young diplomats from all over the world that had an opportunity to discuss issues of contemporary diplomacy with 50 prominent speakers through 20 interactive sessions over five working days. It put specific emphasis on the role and importance of diplomacy to reinforce trust and cooperation for shaping secure and prosperous future. Agenda

For this edition of the Summer School we owe particular gratitude to our long-standing partners from UNDP Montenegro who have been with us every step of the way, since 2008.  This year, we are particularly thankful to our colleagues from the NATO Public Diplomacy Division who have recognised the programme of Summer School as conducive to the Euro-Atlantic agenda for a more secure world. We are thankful to our partners from the Municipality of Berane for safekeeping of heritage of Duke Gavro Vuković.