SEVEN young Guyanese women were given a firsthand look into the world of diplomacy and international affairs as the 2026 Diplomat for a Day Programme concluded on Wednesday with a reception marking the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.
The closing event, hosted by The Imperial House (TIH) in collaboration with the High Commission of Belize and several diplomatic missions and international agencies, was held at the World Trade Centre on High Street, Georgetown. The initiative was designed to expose participants to careers in diplomacy, foreign service, regional co-operation and international leadership.
Delivering the feature address, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize, Hon. Valerie Woods, encouraged the young women to consider careers in international relations and diplomacy, noting the critical role diplomatic engagement plays in fostering co-operation and development among nations.
As guest of honour, Woods underscored the importance of increasing women’s participation in foreign service and international leadership, urging the participants to broaden their horizons by pursuing opportunities both locally and abroad.
The two-day programme was organised through a partnership between The Imperial House and the High Commission of Belize to Guyana, with the support of six additional diplomatic missions operating in the country. Through the initiative, each participant was paired with a Head of Mission and given the opportunity to shadow senior diplomats, gaining insight into the daily responsibilities and challenges of diplomatic work.
Participants also engaged in courtesy calls and interactive sessions with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, providing them with a broader understanding of regional and international diplomacy.
The closing reception brought together representatives of participating diplomatic missions, international organisations, programme participants and other stakeholders to celebrate the successful completion of the initiative.
The programme also featured reflections from the young women who participated, along with remarks from organisers and diplomatic partners who highlighted the value of mentorship and exposure in shaping future leaders.
Executive Director of The Imperial House, Wasim Khan, explained that the initiative emerged from the organisation’s broader efforts to empower young women through civic and leadership engagement. He noted that applications for the programme were opened following the launch of the “Girl Talk” initiative during the observance of the International Day of the Girl Child last October.
According to Khan, 42 young women applied for the programme, but only seven were selected following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the participating diplomatic missions and agencies.
He said the programme was designed to provide participants with a practical understanding of diplomacy and international relations while helping them determine whether a career in the field aligns with their future aspirations.
The Diplomat for a Day Programme forms part of ongoing efforts to encourage greater female participation in leadership and decision-making roles, while creating pathways for young women to engage meaningfully in national, regional and global affairs.
