AIESECers Join in Celebrating Six Decades of Peacekeeping, Diplomacy, and Youth Empowerment.

A delegation of nearly 100 AIESECers had the privilege of witnessing a historic moment as Kenya celebrated 60 years of its enduring legacy in peacekeeping, regional leadership, and global diplomacy; values that resonate deeply with AIESEC's core principles.

The commemoration, running from December 2nd to 6th 2024 at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC), also marked the unveiling of Kenya's new Foreign Policy, designed to advance its economic diplomacy agenda.

Day One featured an impressive lineup of speakers and moderators. A standout panel, moderated by Ms. Caroline Ofula, Third Secretary to the State Department of Foreign Affairs, included:

• Amb. Salim Salim, Kenya’s former Ambassador to Djibouti

• H.E Peter Maddens, Belgium’s Ambassador to Kenya

• Charlene Migwe-Kagume, Lead of Caribou Digital

• Ms. Vicky Aridi, Advisor of Green Jobs for Youth Pact, UNICEF

The discussion emphasized the critical role of young people, armed with technology and innovation, in addressing the triple planetary crisis. Key insights included:

• Eng. Charlene Migwe-Kagume highlighted the importance of leveraging existing Digital Public Infrastructure to bridge the generational gap.

• Amb. Salim Salim stressed the need to close the disconnect between academia and civil society in advancing digital diplomacy efforts.

• HE. Amb. Peter Maddens reflected on how social media is reshaping diplomatic relations, expressing cautious optimism about humanity's ability to adapt and find solutions.

• Ms. Vicky Aridi passionately urged young people to invest in green job skills, citing that only 1 in 20 youth currently possess the necessary qualifications, despite projections of millions of green jobs by 2030.

Kenya’s forward-looking vision and the vibrant energy of the youth make this a truly inspiring celebration.