Creating tomorrow’s changemakers
One of the goals at the San Diego Diplomacy Council is to assist in the creation of a pipeline of future changemakers on both the domestic and international levels. With the power of citizen diplomacy and grassroots movements in mind, we are honored to offer the following programs to help foster students’ interest in international affairs and work directly with the next generation of changemakers.
Global Leadership Youth Program
This program gives high school students the chance to connect with local and international changemakers and discuss some of the biggest issues plaguing the world today. With a unique itinerary of diplomacy simulations, guest speakers, and supporting cultural enrichment activities, this program is perfect for students looking to increase their cultural understanding and global acumen while building their resumes. Open to high school students aged 14 – 18, this program gives students valuable skills including negotiation, global awareness, and an understanding of diplomatic processes.
- Summer Program: Four/five-week-long modules that include diplomacy simulations, guest speakers, deep-dive projects, and ample opportunities to connect with like-minded students. To read what students had to say about our 2020 program, click here. To learn more about our Summer Global Program and register for the 2021 Summer Global Program, click here.
- School Year: a series of five 2-week after-school programs during the school year for students aged 14 – 18. The Program is a progression of the Diplomacy Council’s highly-acclaimed Summer Program, giving globally-minded teens an opportunity to connect with international leaders and cultures while contemplating questions that plague the world’s most critical thinkers. Learn more about our 2020-2021 Global Youth Leadership School Year Program here.
The San Diego Diplomacy Council is delighted to offer sponsorships to our Global Leaders Youth Program for students in financial need who cannot pay our program fee. Sponsorships are provided by generous supporters in the community. Please contact Lulu Bonning at Lulu@sandiegodiplomcy.org for more information.
Global Classrooms Program
The Global Classrooms Program brings international leaders visiting San Diego to visit schools that are our academic partners and meet with students in the form of lectures or roundtable discussions, on topics of interest to the teachers and students. Topics may include; human rights, environment, food security and safety, and civic engagement. Contact Jim Davis at jim@sandiegodiplomacy.org for details on how to become an academic partner.
Negotiation Skills Workshop
The workshop series involves high school students in San Diego and around the world in a range of simulations, games, and strategies to improve their negotiation skills and cross-cultural understanding. The program is a partnership with PATHWAYS and La Jolla Country Day School and is geared towards all high school students interested in learning how to approach personal and professional conflicts in diverse and creative ways. We are currently planning the workshops for the 2021-2022 academic year. Learn about our last workshop held in February 2020 here. For more information, please contact Lulu Bonning at lulu@sandiegodiplomacy.org.
Diplomacy Simulation Summit
Every year the SDDC invites students to participate in a half-day Diplomacy Simulation with other partner schools. This gives students a first-hand understanding of the complexity of diplomacy and the skills necessary to succeed in the field. For more information, please click here.
International Youth Exchange Programs
These programs are an essential part of the work of our organization to promote cross-cultural understanding and global youth leadership through various disciplines, including sports, arts, and music. In 2018, the San Diego Diplomacy Council took 25 San Diego volleyball players and coaches to Vietnam and Laos for a transformative cultural and diplomacy trip to Vietnam and Laos. Our teams played against local teams, volunteered, and enjoyed the sites and cultures of both countries. U.S. Ambassador to Laos Rena Bitter even joined our group to play volleyball! See below for a glimpse of this wonderful program!
Have a suggestion for programs you would like to see? We would love to hear them! Email Jessica Frank, Program Director at jessica@sandiegodiplomacy.org
