WJC's young Jewish Diplomats addressed by former Canadian FM John Baird at Toronto training session

Former Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird addressed a group of World Jewish Congress’ Jewish Diplomats (JDs) in Toronto on Sunday, for an off-the-record conversation together with the Canadian Center for Israel and Jewish affairs.

Ten members of the WJC’s flagship Jewish Diplomatic Corps (JDCorps) program and three members of CIJA’s young leadership program gathered in the Canadian city for the day-long session aimed at providing them with a practical training module on diplomatic engagement. 

Baird’s address focused on his views on Israel, Iran, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and issues pertaining to the United Nations and international diplomacy.

The JDCorps is a worldwide network of outstanding young Jewish professionals who voluntarily engage in diplomacy and public policy. It now comprises a cadre of some 200 professionals aged 27 to 45, from 40 countries. There are 13 JDs in Canada, mostly based in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, who engage in a variety of professions, including business, law medicine, engineering and politics.

In 2014, the JDCorps was successfully reintegrated into the WJC as a flagship WJC program. WJC provides this core group an opportunity to engage in diplomatic activities, meetings with government officials and international organizations worldwide as well as participate in WJC events and activities.