Five Guyanese girls explore diplomacy, leadership, and identity by being diplomats for a day.

DIPLOMACY goes far beyond long speeches on hard topics and rigid international talks between opposing states. True diplomacy uses compassion, understanding, and in-depth knowledge to shift worldviews on global issues. That’s why diplomacy is everyone’s business. But over the years, not many women have had their voices heard on the international stage. Now, organisations like The Imperial House are helping to change that.

In celebration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, The Imperial House partnered with the High Commission of Belize, the High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Embassy of Suriname, the Embassy of Mexico, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to host “Diplomat for a Day.”

The initiative gave five Guyanese girls a chance to step into the world of diplomacy by shadowing ambassadors and high commissioners, visiting local foreign missions, and exploring the role of regional institutions like the CARICOM Secretariat. These five young women—Kyra Adams, Natassia Ashby, Amelie Burnham, Adana Dorrick, and Chanecia La Rose—shared their experiences with Pepperpot Magazine, reflecting on lessons learned, personal growth, and the power of representation.

Kyra Adams: A Voice in Decision-Making Spaces

Eighteen-year-old Kyra Adams, who hails from West Ruimveldt and is currently pursuing an associate degree in Sociology at The Bishops’ High School, has big dreams. Sharing her ambitious long-term aspirations, she said, “In the future, I plan to study Education, Law, and Political Science. I want to be part of the decision-making spaces that directly shape people’s lives, especially in education and youth development. My ultimate dream is to one day become Guyana’s Minister of Education.”

Having previously served as Minister of Education in the Girls Assemble Programme, Kyra said the Diplomat for a Day opportunity was an easy yes for her. “This was a dream opportunity to work under a diplomat and learn from them,” she said, recalling how inspired she was by Her Excellency Gale Miller-Garnett at the Girls Assemble ceremony.

Recounting her experience, Kyra shared that the day kicked off after she presented her letter of credence to the High Commissioner of Belize before engaging in thought-provoking discussions with the diplomatic team, including the Foreign Secretary. “I also learned from the Foreign Communication Directorate about what they actually do behind the scenes, which was really interesting.”

She highlighted how impactful the visit to the CARICOM Secretariat was, where she learned about youth opportunities like the Aspiring Youth Employment Programme and heard stories of Caribbean women in diplomacy. Listening to them was not just educational but empowering, said Kyra, as they emphasised the importance of balance. “One thing that all the diplomats, high commissioners, and mentors kept stressing throughout the day was that you don’t have to choose between motherhood and this kind of career. You can be a mother, have hobbies, and still be a successful diplomat—it’s all about balance,” she shared.

Most of all, Kyra appreciated learning that diplomacy can take many paths and does not have to be one-dimensional. As she shared, “You don’t have to study just international relations; you can come from economics, medicine, education, or any other area and still bring something valuable to the field.”

Natassia Ashby: Leadership Knows No Borders

Seventeen-year-old Natassia Ashby of Linden recently graduated from St. Stanislaus College and is now pursuing studies in entrepreneurship. Her childhood passion for science has shaped her career goals. “At the age of 11 my cousin inspired me to study forensics; my mind has been set on becoming a pathologist. I’ve also applied to the University of Guyana to further my criminology studies,” she shared.

Like her colleagues, Natassia was introduced to the initiative through the Girls Assemble Parliamentary Programme and jumped at the opportunity. “I wanted to use myself to be a voice for my region and be a stepping stone for young females, especially coming from Linden,” she said.

Natassia shadowed Ms. Candice N. Shade, High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago—an experience she described as empowering and eye-opening. “Ms. Shade walked me through the office and all of her work duties. She highlighted everything that goes in and out of the commission,” she said. Natassia quickly learned that diplomacy is a high-paced, demanding field. “What stood out the most to me was the diplomats’ schedule. We had a lot of events to attend, so it was really fun and exciting being able to be in all these different places by a specific time.”

A key lesson Natassia took away was the power of listening. “Diplomacy isn’t just about speaking well; it’s about understanding diverse perspectives and responding with empathy and clarity.” She added, “Representing a foreign country as a young Guyanese woman reminded me that leadership knows no borders. It made me feel proud of my roots while giving me the confidence to imagine myself in global spaces.”

Amelie Burnham: You Must Be Strong-Willed and Resilient

Eighteen-year-old Amelie Burnham, who lives along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, recently completed her CAPE studies in Natural Sciences at St. Stanislaus College. Her diverse family background, from Orealla in Region Six and Rupununi in Region Nine, has given her a strong sense of cultural identity—a pride she hopes to take to the international stage.

Shadowing Suriname’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Ambassador Liselle Blankendal, Amelie shared that the experience highlighted the similarities that Guyana and Suriname share. What stood out most to her was the personal challenge diplomats face. “What stood out to me the most was realising how challenging being a diplomat living in a foreign country can be. Being away from your family and the environment you’re familiar with—language differences, different cultural norms, and even food. Realising how adaptable a diplomat must be in a fast-paced environment,” she said.

At the end of the day, Amelie left with more than just information on diplomacy and international relations—she left with valuable life advice. “The biggest piece of advice that stuck with me is if you look at your career as an obligation or burden, it will be difficult for you to stay motivated and perform proficiently. You can become overwhelmed. If you develop the ability to view your challenges as opportunities to grow personally and professionally, it will be easier to keep going,” she said.

The experience reinforced for her the importance of confidence and voice. “I learned that people may try to tell you it isn’t the ‘time or place’ for you to speak up, but that can be because they simply don’t want to hear what you have to say. This puts you in a position where you have to stand your ground or be silenced.”

Adana Dorrick: Young Women Aren’t Often Given the Opportunity to Sit at the Table

Originally from Kamarang, Region Seven, and currently completing her GED through Penn Foster in Pennsylvania, Adana Dorrick has always been passionate about law and recently developed an interest in international relations. She applied to the Diplomat for a Day programme after a friend encouraged her. “Two days before, I wanted to just drop out because I felt overwhelmed by work. My best friend said to me, ‘You are capable and you deserve to serve as a diplomat for a day,’ so I sent in my portfolio the day they were doing their selection, and guess what? I got picked,” she said.

Adana had long admired diplomats from afar, but seeing the work they do firsthand was an entirely new experience. By the end of the day, she said she walked away with more than just a better understanding of diplomacy. “I said hey, that could be me. I want to do that. I want to represent my country. We deserve to be heard.”

Chanecia La Rose: Empathy Is a Strategy. Care Is a Form of Courage.

Eighteen-year-old Chanecia La Rose, who lives in Roxanne Burnham Gardens, is currently pursuing International Relations at the University of Guyana, with a focus on law. She’s a passionate advocate who works across climate change, mental health, and community development. “It started from The Imperial House, the Girls’ Assembly Parliament, it was different girls, different regions, different cultures, all came together in one room to discuss things that affect women,” she explained.

Because of her interests in climate change and agriculture, she was placed with IICA. Chanecia came into the role prepared but knew diplomacy would test more than just knowledge. “You have to prepare yourself for a field that will challenge not your knowledge, but your confidence. Sometimes, in the rooms where you feel the most invisible, your compassion might be mistaken for weakness,” she said.

She believes young women bring something special to diplomacy. “Diplomacy with women doesn’t just look different, it works better.” She urged young girls and women to see their compassion as a tool and not a liability. “Empathy is a strategy. Care is a form of courage. It’s not just about representing countries; you have to represent the possibilities that were unimaginable for our mothers and grandmothers,” she said.

These five young women, each with different backgrounds and goals, stepped into a role that has long excluded voices like theirs. Diplomat for a Day gave them more than a title—it gave them a platform, a perspective, and a sense of power. And with initiatives like this, the face of diplomacy is slowly changing to one that’s more inclusive, compassionate, and representative.