Diplomatic Ambitions

Chloe’s (Year 11) fascination with politics and international relations has opened the door to a transformational international opportunity.

2026 will be a big year for Chloe as she joins a select group of young Australians chosen for the UN Youth Australia's Young Diplomats Tour, a four-week journey through some of the diplomatic centres of Europe.

Her selection represents the culmination of a year in civic engagement that began with her appointment to the 2025 NSW Youth Parliament, where she served as a delegate on the Disability and Accessibility Inclusion Committee.

"Being selected for Youth Parliament affirms that the ideas and perspectives of young people matter in shaping our society," she now reflects. "It is about being part of something bigger than yourself: collaborating with other passionate young leaders to draft, debate and advocate for meaningful change."

Over six months of intensive training, including residential camps and online workshops, Chloe and her fellow delegates developed Youth Bills with concrete recommendations for policy reform. The program culminated in a mock parliamentary sitting at NSW Parliament House, complete with Members of Parliament chairing debates. It was a rare opportunity for young voices to reach decision makers directly.

With plans to study international relations at university, next year’s Young Diplomats Tour (YDT) represents a particularly fortunate opportunity for Chloe. "I applied because I've always wanted to combine my interest in politics and public service with practical experience in how government operates," she explains.

The tour promises hands-on learning. Previous itineraries have taken in everything from the birth of modern democracy and the nation-state to today's most pressing global challenges. Delegates receive the chance to witness how historical forces continue to shape contemporary diplomacy, learning about The Hague's international legal frameworks and even meeting with UN representatives, European politicians, diplomats and grassroots organisations.

Perhaps most importantly, the experience will develop the skills that Chloe says she values most: "leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking, while also learning to listen deeply and work with people who hold different perspectives".

The YDT achievement comes on top of Chloe’s receipt of a 2025 Zonta Highly Commended Award, one of only three granted by Zonta International’s District 24, which takes in most of NSW and the ACT. “We were impressed with Chloe's leadership roles at school and in the community, as well as her extensive record of volunteering,” the judging panel said.

For a young woman already demonstrating such civic commitment, Chloe’s upcoming European adventure looks like it might just the beginning.