Youth Diplomacy Movement Bridges Egypt-Venezuela Cultural Divide Through Exchange
International youth diplomatic programs have shown particular effectiveness in regions with shared post-colonial experiences and development challenges.
CARACAS, Venezuela — The Nasser Youth Movement is pioneering a youth-led diplomatic initiative through the World Festival of Youth and Students Against Fascism, addressing gaps in Global South cooperation, writes Winston Mwale.
The program connects Egyptian and Venezuelan students through cultural exchanges and diplomatic training, with initial participation from political science researchers, journalists, and fellowship graduates at this week's Venezuelan Student Day march.
"This participation represents an additional step toward fostering cultural and political dialogue among youth from diverse backgrounds," said Hassan Ghazaly, founder of Nasser Youth Movement.
He emphasized the initiative's focus on Afro-Latin and Arab-Latin relationships.
The Egyptian Consul in Venezuela, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, supported the initiative by hosting the delegation and providing diplomatic guidance, demonstrating institutional backing for youth-led diplomacy.
While the program shows promise, its current reach is limited to a small delegation of Egyptian representatives, indicating room for expansion.
Similar youth diplomacy initiatives have succeeded in other Global South regions. The BRICS Youth Forum, for instance, has established sustained connections between emerging economies.
The movement's Youth Diplomacy Unit draws from historical student movements' success in fostering international solidarity, adapting these lessons for contemporary challenges.
International youth diplomatic programs have shown particular effectiveness in regions with shared post-colonial experiences and development challenges.
Research suggests youth-led diplomatic initiatives often achieve sustained engagement due to peer-to-peer connections and shared generational perspectives.
The Nasser Youth Movement plans to expand these exchanges through their Youth Diplomacy Unit, focusing on strengthening Global South cooperation through continued cultural and academic partnerships.