My journey into global affairs has taken me from advocacy around the United Nations in New York to the historic halls of the French Senate in Paris.
From September 25 to 27, I had the opportunity to participate as a delegate at the Global Youth Diplomacy Forum – Paris Edition 2026, joining young leaders from around the world for conversations on diplomacy, peacebuilding, global governance and the future of international relations.
The main proceedings on September 26 took place at the historic Palais du Luxembourg, home of the French Senate. Being in such a place made the conversations about the future of diplomacy even more meaningful.
For me, the experience was more than another international conference. As a young Nigerian American with a background in mathematics and data analytics and growing involvement in global advocacy through the United Nations Association of the USA, it was another step in understanding how evidence, advocacy and diplomacy can come together to address some of the world’s biggest challenges.
When Young People Debate the Future of Diplomacy
One of the highlights of the forum was taking part in a debate on the motion:
“This House Questions Whether Modern Diplomacy Remains Effective in Preserving International Peace and Stability.”
It was a difficult question.
The world is facing wars, geopolitical tensions, humanitarian crises and growing distrust in international institutions. In such a world, can diplomacy still deliver peace and stability?
I joined the opposition to the motion, arguing that modern diplomacy remains relevant and necessary, even when its institutions and methods do not always produce the results we expect.
Our argument was simple: diplomacy is not perfect, but its weaknesses are not reasons to abandon it. They are reasons to make it stronger.
Diplomacy gives countries channels to communicate even when they disagree. It creates opportunities to prevent conflicts from escalating, negotiate humanitarian agreements and find areas of cooperation on problems that no country can solve alone.
When the votes were counted, our side won 55 votes to 14, with two abstentions.
The result was exciting, but the real value of the debate was the conversation itself. Diplomacy is not ultimately about defeating an opponent. It is about creating enough room for disagreement, dialogue and understanding to exist together.
The debate was moderated by H.E. Ambassador Jüri Seilenthal of Estonia, Muhammad Ahmad, CEO and Founder of the Youth Diplomatic Academy, and Fatima Zohra Besnouci, according to the forum programme provided to delegates.
Learning From Diplomats
The forum also gave young delegates the opportunity to hear directly from diplomats and international affairs practitioners.
The first high-level panel, “Modern Diplomacy and Foreign Policy: How States Are Adapting Their International Relations Practices,” featured H.E. Nikorndej Balankura, Ambassador of Thailand to France; H.E. Arnoldas Pranckevičius, Ambassador of Lithuania to France; Michèle Guillaume-Hofnung, President of the Guillaume-Hofnung Institute for Mediation; and H.E. Thijs van der Plas, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to France.
The discussion explored issues including digital and public diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, strategic communication and youth engagement.
Another panel, “Pathways into Diplomacy: Diplomatic Careers, International Service and Professional Perspectives,” featured H.E. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Ambassador of Pakistan to France; Anke Van Lancker, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Belgium in Paris; H.E. Radka Balabanova-Ruleva, Ambassador of Bulgaria to France; and Anna L. Nsubuga, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the United Kingdom to UNESCO.
The forum also welcomed Salome Zourabichvili, former President of Georgia, as a guest keynote speaker.
These engagements offered something that books and classrooms cannot always provide: the opportunity to hear from people who are actively involved in diplomacy and international affairs.
Carrying Nigeria Into Global Spaces
Perhaps my biggest takeaway from Paris was the importance of representation.
I was not in the French Senate as an ambassador or government official. I was there as a young Nigerian who believes that diplomacy is no longer limited to people who carry diplomatic passports.
Young people, researchers, data analysts, advocates, entrepreneurs and members of the diaspora are increasingly part of the networks through which countries are understood, relationships are built and ideas are exchanged.
That comes with responsibility.
My experiences with United Nations advocacy in the United States and now international dialogue in Paris have strengthened my belief that we do not have to wait for a diplomatic title before becoming good ambassadors for Nigeria.
Whenever a Nigerian enters an international space with competence, integrity and purpose, that person carries a part of Nigeria with them.
For me, this is particularly important because of my background in data analytics.
The world is increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, misinformation, climate data, migration statistics and rapidly changing digital communication. Diplomacy in this environment will require more than skilled negotiators. It will also require people who can understand complex information, examine evidence and communicate it clearly.
This means the future of diplomacy must make room for young people from many different fields, including disciplines that may not traditionally have been seen as pathways into international affairs.
For Nigeria, with its large youth population and global diaspora, this is a major opportunity.
We must ensure that talented young Nigerians are not simply watching global decision-making from the outside. They must be prepared and encouraged to participate in the institutions and conversations where important decisions are made.
Sitting inside the Palais du Luxembourg reminded me of something I have increasingly come to believe: the distance between a young person and the rooms where global decisions are discussed may be much shorter than we think.
We simply have to prepare ourselves to enter those rooms.
And when the opportunity comes, we must ensure that our voices bring something valuable to the conversation.
From New York to Paris, I remain proud to carry the Nigerian banner.
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The Global Youth Diplomacy Forum – Paris Edition 2026 was held from September 25 to 27 in Paris. The Youth Diplomatic Academy says its programme focuses on diplomacy, international relations, global governance, youth participation and policy dialogue. The September 26 proceedings brought young delegates from more than 80 countries to the Palais du Luxembourg.