Diplomats share their national symbols and vision to help youngsters aim high

Diplomats from Asia, Europe and Africa underscored the importance of youth exchange as globalization pushes for an increasingly interconnected community of nations. 

Madagascar ambassador plenipotentiary and extraordinary Jean Louis Robinson said his country encourages the participation and involvement of Malagasy young people in international exchanges, including through education, sports and cultural activities. Their national animal is the lemur. 

Pakistan’s consul general Riaz Ahmed Shaikh said efforts are being made to promote cultural exchange, especially with the mainland and Hong Kong. Among these is Pakistan’s participation in the city’s Asia+ Festival and cultural cooperation summits. 

Shaikh said Pakistan’s national animal is the markhor, a large wild goat species known for its spiral horns that resemble corkscrews. It was categorized as “near threatened” in 2014. 

Nigeria’s consul general Oludare Ezekiel Folowosele said his country’s programs are aimed at training youngsters in governance, business and entrepreneurship while encouraging international youth exchanges. “When people understand each other, there is less friction,” he said. 

Folowosele said the eagle symbolizes Nigeria’s strength and is also featured in the name of the country’s football team, the Super Eagles. 

Zimbabwe’s consul general Ellias Mutamba said his country’s measures such as scholarships allow youngsters to pursue exchange programs. Zimbabwe’s national animal is the stone-carved Zimbabwe bird, also known as the hungwe or chapungu. It is featured in the national flag and on banknotes and coins. 

Clemens Triaji Bektikusuma, Indonesia’s consul for information and sociocultural affairs, said cultural exchange is one of the most important principles of Indonesia. 

“I think globalization is one of the things that we cannot avoid. And the key for us to get ready to enter into globalization is cultural exchange. Like we have to understand other cultures, other civilizations, and we need to start from the youth,” Bektikusuma said. 

He said Indonesia’s national animal, the Komodo dragon, represents agility, strength and perseverance. 

Belarus’ vice consul Darya Bohdan stressed the importance of “peer-to-peer education” as this motivates and encourages young people to succeed “because you see what your peers can do and you know that you can [as well].” 

Fellow vice consul Nik Petruchenia described Belarus’ national animal, the zubr, or European bison, as a creature that seems intimidating at first glance but is actually a gentle herbivore.

(Jamie Liu)