The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has announced that the Young Diamantaires (YDs) have launched their website at www.ydts.org, which will serve as a platform to boost interaction and discussion and help younger members grow their business.

The website is part of the WFDB efforts that began four years ago to bring together young members of the diamond community all over the world to create a platform through which they can express their thoughts, opinions and views in a safe and constructive manner.

“The diamond industry over its long history has been shaped and nurtured by many different generations of diamantaires,” said Yoram Dvash, Acting President, WFDB. “We are happy to see the younger members of our industry actively engaging in discussions regarding critical issues and exploring how they can build on the rich legacy of this industry.”

The website itself was physically built by the members for the members. It is in its first iteration and there are plans to expand its functionality, the WFDB said.

Rami Baron, Chairman of the Promotion Committee of the WFDB and founder of the Young Diamantaires said the four pillars which act as the foundation from which the group will grow are:

1. To provide a platform where discussion can take place which is relevant to our industry, respectful and without judgment of others.

2. To provide an ability to expand one’s networks, participate in events and share with like-minded people ways to improve each other’s businesses.

3. To cultivate leadership roles for the future of the WFDB and foster the opportunity for women to play an equally prominent role in our industry.

4. Become a focal point for sponsoring and contributing to those who are less fortunate, in ways which have a positive impact on their lives and that of our industry.

“We are bringing together people who would never get the opportunity to meet. We introduced discussions on topics that Young Diamantaires wanted to discuss but didn’t have the opportunities to do so. As a founding member I am extremely proud of what we have achieved to date,” said Rachel Sahar, in charge of Public Relations for the YDs.

The group has already been a beneficiary of a De Beers programme as part of which the Company invited 25 members to visit the Venetia mines in South Africa, as highlighted on the website.

“We saw firsthand the tremendous work De Beers was doing within the community and felt, as Young Diamantaires, we needed to contribute. Currently, our committees from South Africa, UK and Australia are defining the framework to deliver results into the future,” commented Tamara Gabay, who looks after Fundraising for YDs.

“Building this website meant we can express ourselves visually the way we wanted,” noted Harsh Shah and Chris Zoettli, handling Website Development at YDs. “We were given total freedom, and have plans to add functionality to the site. The site will never be a trading platform, but a resource centre for Young Diamantaires worldwide, to help them improve and grow their businesses.”

Those who are interested in getting more involved with the YDs group should email info@ydts.org, the organisation said.

Pic caption: The YDs website