“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” – Nelson Mandela
The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) was honoured to host fourteen student leaders from Johor for the Young Diplomats Programme, under the Johor Student Leaders Council (JSLC) Cohort 14, held from 29 September to 3 October 2025. Organised in collaboration with the Johor State Education Department and the Johor Student Leaders Council, the programme brought together students carefully selected based on their leadership potential, academic excellence, and active community involvement. The five-day programme was designed to immerse the youth leader in the world of diplomacy and international relations through a dynamic blend of lectures, briefings, discussions, simulations, and study visits.
The programme commenced with a session on English for Diplomacy, aimed to enhance participants’ communication, negotiation, and critical listening skills. This was followed by a session on Patriotism in a Madani Nation, a module crafted to instil national pride, loyalty, and appreciation of the Madani values (sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion).
On the second day, students attended an engaging lecture on grooming and social etiquette by Mr Rudy Ludinata, followed by a fine dining practicum led by Dato’ Nor’ Aini Abd Hamid. The day concluded with a visit to the Embassy of Japan in Kuala Lumpur, where participants gained valuable/general insights into Japan–Malaysia bilateral relations.
The third day centred on the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra). Participants visited the Ministry to deepen their understanding of Malaysia’s foreign policy, diplomatic functions, and consular services. A key highlight was a lecture by Dato’ Dr Mohamad Rameez Yahaya on ASEAN, the United Nations, and Public Diplomacy, which underscored the opportunities for Malaysia on multilateral platforms, and the importance of public diplomacy as a form of soft power to engage with the global audience.
On the fourth day, participants took part in a speech-making workshop, an intercultural awareness session, and a sharing session with a diplomat, offering real-world perspectives and personal experiences from the field of diplomacy.
The final day featured a thought-provoking session on The Impact of Hate Speech on Social Cohesion, delivered by Dr Murni Wan Mohd Nor, an expert researcher from IDFR. Her lecture emphasized the importance of unity, mutual respect, and responsible communication in a diverse, multicultural society.
Dato’ Dr Mohamad Rameez Yahaya, Director of the Centre of Leadership, Negotiation and Public Diplomacy, delivered the closing remarks and presented certificates of participation. This was followed by appreciation remarks from Tuan Haji Mohd Kamal Ahmad Untong, Deputy Director of the Johor State Education Department.
The programme received positive feedback from both students and organisers. IDFR is confident that these young leaders leave the programme more inspired and better equipped to explore the world of diplomacy. The Young Diplomats Programme stands as a testament to IDFR’s continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of diplomats.
