My priorities are sustainable approaches to human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, counterterrorism, and social inclusion- Amb. Olivier Dedingar

Diplomatic leadership refers to a style of leadership that emphasizes tact, empathy, relationship building, and peaceful conflict resolution. It’s also about using soft skills to manage teams, clients, customers, and other stakeholders effectively. In the business context, it involves getting people to work with you rather than for or against you. Diplomatic leaders are known for their ability to handle sensitive situations with grace, encourage collaboration, and seek win/win solutions during negotiations. This leadership style is particularly effective in fostering a collaborative and fair environment, inspiring action, and maximizing the strengths of each team member.

A diplomat is a person who represents their country in foreign affairs. They work to promote their country’s interests and to strengthen relationships with other countries. Becoming a diplomat requires a lot of education and training. Most diplomats have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have advanced degrees. Diplomats also spend several years working in their country’s foreign affairs department before they are sent to represent their country abroad.

Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar is a Diplomat, Permanent Representative and Global Policy Advocate. He reside in United States but a Chadian origin. He’s academic and professional journey spanning law, communication, international relations, peace and sustainable development, with studies in Chad, Cameroon, Canada and USA which has provided him with a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective.

As a role model, an ambassador, leader, activist, and a presidential hopeful, Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar has carved out a niche in the world with his captivating educational background and role of leadership, which enable him focus on promoting inclusive and sustainable approaches to education, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, peace building, counterterrorism and social inclusion. He also focus on alleviating the suffering of women and children in Africa, especially those in the Chad where the problem is severe.

In an exclusive interview with Adenrele Adewale ,of Dotolive News Magazine, Ambassador Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar shares his humanitarian activities, his role to create pathways for young people most women and girls to have more engagement with government through empowerment program within society. He also speaks about how he has been strengthening Chad’s institutional presence and credibility within multilateral and intergovernmental forums

Below are excerpt:

Your profile is captivating, motivating and inspiring; can you tell us about briefly about yourself, your family and education background?

Thank you to Dotolive News Magazine for this opportunity. I come from a humble family background where discipline, integrity, responsibility, and service to the community were core values. From an early age, I was guided by the belief that true leadership is measured by commitment to the public good and respect for shared responsibilities, both nationally and internationally.

My academic and professional journey spanning law, communication, international relations, peace and sustainable development, with studies in Chad, Cameroon, Canada and USA has provided me with a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective.

It has strengthened my understanding of global governance and equipped me to engage constructively with complex political, social, and development challenges.

In my work, I remain committed to advancing inclusive governance, preventive diplomacy, and sustainable development, in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the 2030 Agenda.

I am convinced that lasting peace and stability in Chad and across Africa will be achieved through strong and credible institutions, dialogue-driven solutions, and effective multilateral cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility.

Leadership is a dynamic process, which deserves study, it is a relational process involving interactions among leaders, members and sometimes outside constituencies. What have been the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of leadership for you?

Leadership is a continuous responsibility, shaped by context and guided by purpose. One of its greatest challenges is maintaining a strategic vision while navigating the complex realities of multilateral environments, where political, social, and economic considerations must be carefully balanced.

Effective leadership demands patience, cultural awareness, and principled decision-making, all while fostering dialogue, inclusivity, and consensus among diverse stakeholders.

The most rewarding moments come when sustained engagement leads to tangible impact, when inclusive dialogue informs policy, advocacy strengthens institutions, and women, youth, and marginalized communities gain meaningful participation in decision-making. For me, leadership is not about authority; it is a commitment to service, accountability, and advancing collective, sustainable progress.

At the most simplistic level , an ambassador acts as a representative which you are one , what are your major responsibilities in United Nations and how have you impacted lives with your position especially children, women and youths in the Republic of Chad?

In my dual capacity as an ambassador of the economic, social, cultural and environmental council of the Republic of Chad to the United States of America (USA) and civil society representative within the United Nations system (ECOSOC, World Bank-IMF Spring and annual Meetings), I work to advance institutional and civil society perspectives through principled multilateral engagement, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

This includes contributing to intergovernmental and multistakeholder processes across key UN platforms, such as ECOSOC, the Commission on the Status of Women, the High-Level Political Forum on SDGs, The World Bank and IMF meetings and the General Assembly.

My efforts focus on promoting inclusive and sustainable approaches to education, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, peace building, counterterrorism and social inclusion. Through sustained dialogue and international cooperation, I strive to ensure that the priorities and lived realities of children, women, and young people in Chad are reflected in global policy frameworks. While progress in diplomacy is often gradual, its enduring impact lies in shaping normative standards, mobilizing partnerships, and advancing policies that expand opportunity, strengthen social protection, and foster equitable, sustainable development.

A lot of African nations are fashioning their democracy after the west, yet we exist in some level of neo-colonialism. Well, is there a way to localize democracy that will fit the African context, especially if you elected as the president of Chad?

Democracy cannot be treated as a one-size-fits-all model. While core principles such as accountability, participation, the rule of law, and respect for human rights are universal, their meaningful implementation must be grounded in local histories, cultures and societal structures.

For Chad, and for Africa more broadly, a resilient and credible democracy draws strength from indigenous traditions of dialogue, consensus-building, and community governance, while being anchored in strong, transparent, and accountable institutions. Democracy must serve citizens, reflect national priorities, and reinforce sovereignty rather than external prescriptions.

If entrusted with leadership, I would advance an inclusive, people-centered democracy; one that strengthens local governance, promotes the meaningful participation of women and youth, and links democratic practice to economic empowerment, social justice, and sustainable development. Such a democracy would remain open to global cooperation while firmly rooted in African values and the collective aspirations of our people.

As a prominent diplomat, focal Point and Permanent Representative at Chad Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Council, who has achieved a significant milestone on the international stage, can you share with us your success stories and projects?

One of my key contributions has been strengthening Chad’s institutional presence and credibility within multilateral and intergovernmental forums. Serving as Permanent Representative to the UN ECOSOC, and subsequently as Focal Point and Representative to the USA, I worked to ensure that Chad’s economic, social, cultural, and environmental priorities were clearly articulated and integrated into global policy discussions.

I actively engaged in high-level dialogues on sustainable development, development financing, peacebuilding, human rights, gender equality and climate resilience, while fostering partnerships between national institutions, civil society, and international stakeholders.

One concrete example of this work was my contribution to facilitating partnerships around youth and women’s empowerment initiatives, which helped connect Chadian civil society actors with international development partners to support capacity-building programs focused on education, leadership training, and economic inclusion. These efforts contributed to increased visibility of grassroots priorities and strengthened cooperation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Overall, these engagements have helped position Chadian and African perspectives within global policy frameworks and advance long-term cooperation. Success, to me, is measured not by personal recognition, but by strengthened institutional visibility, enhanced credibility, and the lasting impact of policy influence that serves both national interests and collective progress.

With your leadership role and vast experience as a global citizen, representing local and international organizations. Can you tell us the needs in Africa? What will it take to build entrepreneurship and employment in Africa? And what are you trying to do to move the needle?

Africa’s foremost priorities are both structural and human-centered. Quality education, skills development, access to finance, robust institutions, effective governance, and resilient infrastructure form the foundation upon which sustainable entrepreneurship and employment can flourish. Entrepreneurship cannot thrive without an enabling environment that promotes innovation, protects investment, and ensures inclusive economic participation for all citizens.

Building a self-sustaining and prosperous Africa requires deliberate investment in human capital, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, access to technology and digital tools, and strengthened regional integration that leverages the continent’s collective potential.

In my work, I have focused on fostering strategic partnerships, advocating for youth-centered and gender-inclusive policies, and advancing programs that link national development priorities with international cooperation mechanisms. The objective is to catalyze long-term economic empowerment, reduce dependency, and create opportunities that are locally owned, globally connected, and aligned with Africa’s vision for equitable and inclusive growth.

African ethnic groups and tribes have customs and traditions that are unique to their culture. What do you like about African Culture?

What I most deeply value about African culture is its enduring sense of community, solidarity, and respect for human relationships. Across the continent, traditions emphasize dialogue, mutual responsibility, and intergenerational learning principles that remain profoundly relevant in today’s interconnected world.

Africa’s cultural diversity is not only a source of resilience and creativity but also a foundation for identity, unity, and social cohesion. Our languages, music, storytelling, and moral systems are powerful instruments that can guide societies toward inclusive development, ethical leadership, and peaceful coexistence.

Preserving and promoting this rich heritage, while thoughtfully engaging with modernity and global exchange, is essential for Africa’s sustainable development, regional integration, and confident projection of its values and vision on the world stage. African culture is, in essence, both a legacy and a roadmap for building societies that are equitable, resilient, and globally respected.

Dotolive News Magazine (DNM) would like to promote and reporting your activities. How would you support this media organization?

Independent, credible, and responsible media are indispensable for informed public discourse, democratic dialogue, and the projection of Africa’s voice on the global stage. I would support Dotolive News Magazine by ensuring access to accurate information, participating in interviews, and collaborating on thematic stories that highlight diplomacy, governance, development, and Africa’s transformative initiatives.

Beyond information sharing, I see media as a strategic partner in advancing inclusive narratives: showcasing youth engagement, cultural innovation, sustainable development, and positive African leadership. By fostering collaboration between institutions and media platforms, we strengthen transparency, public awareness, and the global understanding of Africa’s priorities, solutions, and potential.

Amazing memories are unforgettable; can you share with us the most amazing memory?

One of my most meaningful experiences has been engaging in multilateral forums where Chad’s perspectives, and by extension Africa’s priorities, were not only heard but constructively considered by the international community. Witnessing dialogue translate into understanding, cooperation, and concrete commitments underscored for me the transformative power of principled representation and purposeful leadership.

Equally impactful are the moments spent with young people and community representatives across Chad, where one can witness firsthand their hopes, resilience, and determination to shape a better future. These encounters serve as a constant reminder that leadership is not an abstract role but a responsibility to empower citizens, nurture potential, and translate global engagement into tangible progress for communities.

Such experiences reaffirm my conviction that sustainable development, peace, and inclusive growth are realized when local realities and global policy converge when voices, no matter how small, are elevated in service of collective progress.

What advice would you give the younger ones?

My advice to young people is to invest in education, cultivate discipline, and embrace lifelong learning. Success is rarely immediate; it is built through patience, resilience and integrity.

I also urge young people to recognize their vital role in shaping Africa’s future. Leadership is not a privilege; it is a responsibility to serve your communities, contribute constructively and innovate with purpose. Africa’s progress depends on a generation that is informed, ethical, and courageous; one that harnesses its ideas, energy, and vision to build inclusive, sustainable, and globally connected societies.