The Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Governance, Dr. Sarah Bireete, has challenged young people to take an active role in shaping global engagements, describing them as “the new actors in international problem-solving.”
Dr. Bireete made the remarks while delivering a keynote address yesterday, 8th October 2025, at Protea Hotel Entebbe, during Nkumba University’s Diplomatic Dinner, held under the theme “Youth Diplomacy: Shaping the Future of Global Engagements.”
She thanked the university for providing her with the platform to engage with students on what she termed a contemporary and timely topic. “It is important to note that young people don’t just inherit the world; they are already shaping it,” said Dr. Bireete.
Highlighting the demographic and digital strength of young people, Dr. Bireete described the youth as a critical force in driving global change.
According to Dr. Bireete, the youth matter in global engagement because of their demographic power, with over 1.8 billion people aged between 15 and 35, the largest youth population in history.
She noted that their digital fluency makes them natural connectors in a technology-driven era, while their creativity positions them as innovative problem solvers offering fresh perspectives on peace, sustainability, technology, and inclusion. “Diplomacy is no longer only for ambassadors, young people are the new actors in global problem-solving,” she emphasized. “Youth diplomacy is the practice of young people engaging in international dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation to promote peace, development, and shared understanding.”
Dr. Bireete observed that when young people connect across borders, “peace becomes more than a treaty, it becomes a shared reality.” She encouraged students to embrace their role in shaping global unity and leadership. “To the students in the room, you are not too young to lead. You are the generation that must connect nations,” she said.
She pointed out that social media has become a powerful tool for youth diplomacy, giving young people “instant global reach” to mobilize support, build awareness, and hold leaders accountable. Dr. Bireete cited online youth campaigns advocating for peace in Sudan, environmental justice, and education reform as examples of how digital engagement can influence real-world diplomacy.
L-R: Dr. Sarah Bireete, Dr. Sam Kazibwe, and Prof. Jude Lubega
However, Dr. Bireete also outlined several challenges that limit effective youth participation in diplomacy, including limited access to official diplomatic channels, underfunding and lack of mentorship, tokenistic participation where youth are seen but not heard, political repression in some contexts, and digital misinformation and cyber risks.
In her appeal, she called for collective action: “To the youth, be informed, be involved, and be innovative. To leaders, create space, not speeches, for youth participation. To institutions, invest in youth diplomacy as a strategic priority, in classrooms, online communities, and youth networks.”
In his remarks, Nkumba University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jude Lubega, commended the participants for embracing the spirit of diplomacy, which he said “is the fuel that keeps world peace a reality.”
Prof. Lubega lauded Dr. Bireete for her “assertive assessment” of the dinner theme, noting that her insights provided clear direction for students to adopt a diplomatic mindset in addressing global issues. “Her elaboration was well-tailored to guide young minds to consider diplomatic approaches in all their deliberations,” Prof. Lubega said.
Adding that, “We must also think skeptically about global well-being if the world is to truly feel the impact of diplomacy.”
The diplomatic dinner, organized by Nkumba University School of Social Sciences, brought together students, key players in global security, and diplomats to discuss the evolving role of youth in international relations and the future of global cooperation.
Dr. Anne Abaho, the Dean School of Social Sciences, addressing participants at the Diplomatic Dinner.
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