In 2005, the World Jewish Congress Youth Department began recruiting young professionals and activists from Jewish communities across the world, with the unparalleled aim of integrating them into WJC’s substantive policy agenda in real time.

 

Realizing the force-multiplier potential for establishing a global advocacy network, YGS co-founder Shai Franklin trained and integrated this cadre into an active diplomatic outreach movement: the World Jewish Diplomatic Corps. Within two years, 30 young adults were regularly representing WJC and their own communities and influencing the outcome of key international meetings – securing admission of Israel’s Magen David Adom into the International Red Cross; shoring up support among national police delegations for Interpol Red Notices against the Iranian-backed masterminds of the 1994 AMIA bombing in Argentina; countering anti-Israel movements within the planning process for the 2009 Durban Review Conference; establishing anti-Semitism as an agenda item within the Organization of American States.

 

Outside the confines of specific diplomatic events, the young citizen-diplomats took up the role of WJC liaisons within their communities, cultivated relationships with officials of their own national governments and representatives of key international organizations, and conducted independent research and analysis to support their work and the broader needs of the WJC. They proved themselves to be leaders in a very proactive, results-oriented way.

 

For more information on this and other projects, 

please contact YGS Co-Founder Shai Franklin.