Dear Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, thank you for the department’s work to ensure South Africa remains an active member in the global community. Most diplomatic jobs require highly qualified professionals (Masters, years of working experience). Given our highly unfavourable youth unemployment rate, and lack of inclusivity in the field of foreign affairs - is the department doing anything to address this? Is DIRCO open to working with NGOs and groups that wish to make a positive contribution to the access of youth and women to skills, knowledge, and opportunities related to foreign affairs?