Washington: A Return to the Roots of Youth Diplomats

During the meeting at the National Museum of American Diplomacy, Global Kairos reaffirmed the connections that gave birth to its most innovative program and strengthened its alliance with the United States Department of State.

Sometimes, returning to the roots is also a way of envisioning the future. That’s exactly what Global Kairos experienced during its recent visit to the National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) in Washington, D.C., where a meaningful meeting took place with the museum’s Director, Lesee Michelsen, and Curator, Alison Mann.

The NMAD is far more than a traditional museum. It’s a dynamic and interactive space dedicated to showcasing how U.S. diplomacy has historically contributed to conflict resolution, bridge-building between nations, and the promotion of universal values such as peace, international cooperation, and human rights.

In addition to preserving the legacy of American diplomacy, the museum has a clear educational mission: to invite new generations to engage with the challenges of today’s world and take an active role in shaping the future.

For Global Kairos, this visit held deep symbolic value. It was during a U.S. Department of State exchange program that its founder and CEO, Máximo Fernández, first encountered the museum. There, the NMAD’s educational tools, interactive exhibits, and thought-provoking content planted the seed for what would eventually become a pioneering youth-led initiative in foreign affairs education: Youth Diplomats.

Now in its sixth edition—with a new one currently underway—Youth Diplomats has brought together hundreds of young people from across Argentina and beyond. Through simulations, debates, and training sessions, participants gain insights into global affairs and are empowered to build a more informed, critical, and socially engaged global citizenship.

The Washington meeting explored not only the origins of the Youth Diplomats program, but also potential avenues for future collaboration—including partnerships with American Spaces, institutional strengthening, and the regional expansion of Kairos’ programs through joint initiatives with embassies and civil society organizations across Latin America.

It also served to reaffirm a core message: the foundational role of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Argentina in the creation and development of Global Kairos. Far from being occasional allies, these institutions have been essential pillars in the organization’s growth. Their support has been crucial in transforming youth-led ideas into long-term programs with real impact.

More than five years since its founding, Global Kairos continues to believe in a powerful idea: diplomacy is not solely the domain of states. It is a language that young people can—and must—learn and use. Programs like Youth Diplomats are a concrete expression of citizen diplomacy: participatory, transformative, and led by youth.

Returning to the NMAD was far more than an institutional visit. It was a reconnection with the organization’s roots, a reaffirmation of the values that guide its mission, and a renewed commitment to building bridges among young people, communities, and institutions.

Because when there is conviction, there is a path. And Global Kairos is determined to keep walking it.