The Idealism around Model United Nations - and why I haven't given up on that

As a teenager, I looked up to the United Nations' mission for promoting international peace and social and economic development for all peoples. That idealism model has inspired me, and a bunch of other enthusiasts, to learn about world politics and systems, and its most urgent issues in a very unconventional way. And that is what I want to reflect today: does that idealism still work today?

Some days ago, during an introductory chat with a new colleague, I was quite surprised when asked about my previous experience with the so-called Model United Nations, a topic I had never really brought up in the workplace or in any of my thoughts in the last years, deeming it not very relevant or just something from my past. However, their curiosity made me reconsider.

While teenage and young adult experiences often take a back seat as one progresses through education and embarks on a professional journey, the truth is that our formative years significantly shape who we become as adults. For me, participation in Model United Nations has been pivotal in molding many aspects of my current identity.

Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation and academic activity that replicates the procedures and functions of the United Nations (and some other multilateral bodies, like European Union or African Union). Participants, typically students, take on the roles of delegates representing different countries and engage in debates and discussions on various global issues. Through this immersive experience, they not only deepen their understanding of international relations, diplomacy, cultural awareness, but also refine and develop skills like critical thinking and public speaking while fostering cooperation and multilateral problem-solving. The history of MUNs dates back to the 1920s, with the first simulation held at Harvard University - the Harvard Model United Nations - in 1927. Since then, MUN has grown into a global phenomenon, with conferences organized by schools, universities, and organizations worldwide, and has evolved to cover a wide range of topics, mirroring the diverse agenda of the actual world.

The core belief of the United Nations is rooted in the belief that global challenges require collective solutions through solidarity and dialogue. Participation in MUN conferences serves as a microcosm of this idealism, offering students a firsthand experience in embodying the values and principles on which the UN was founded. By role-playing as diplomats representing different countries, participants gain a good understanding of the complexities of international politics and the significance of bridging differences to achieve common goals. And isn't this symbiotic thinking crucial beyond MUN conferences in addressing the collective challenges we face in society today?

My MUN journey has had a profound impact on me. Having participated in 50 conferences from 2007 to 2017, both as a participant and organizer, has offered me the privilege of learning through a dynamic, unconventional method, and challenged my own views and understandings of the world around me. It has taken me to new places, and introduced me to extraordinary other enthusiasts. The experience of working together across cultural and political divides to find consensus mirrors the aspirational goals of the UN, instilling in young minds a belief in a more unified and peaceful world.

An aspect of this journey that fills me with big pride is the founding of MUN conferences by our group of friends. Of the five initiatives we kickstarted, the São Paulo Model United Nations - SPMUN stands out as a prominent conference in Brazil since its first annual edition in 2010, now gearing up for its 12th edition with thousands of participants over the years. SPMUN was established with the vision of providing a unique platform for young students in Brazil to engage in global affairs, evolving over time to attract diverse participants from the country and abroad, and nurture a community of aspiring diplomats and leaders in various sectors. The conference has been a testament of the power of youth engagement, evolving across the years to also become a space to shape dialogue and ideas, and support social change in different aspects. Their legacy continues to inspire young generations, instilling social engagement and equipping them to embark on diverse career paths.

Reflecting on my own journey, the experiences gained through MUN have shaped my academic pursuits in Political Science, fueled my passion for international politics and social justice, supported my initial professional steps within the Brazilian government in 2012-2015, and not least within my current role at The LEGO Foundation . Since joining the organisation's advocacy team in 2019, I have been part of a journey of advocating for learning through play among policymakers, funders, partners, and multilateral entities within the UN system. And for a MUN enthusiast, it has been extremely rewarding being part of our team organising our Foundation's different engagements to advocate for learning through play at the UN General Assembly weeks since I started, and so interesting to witness how international dialogues are shaped by the contributions of different global sectors and actors.

Looking back, our ability to revisit past experiences that have molded us into who we are today is imperative. The idealism upheld by the UN transcends an institutional framework; it embodies the essence of what we, as societies, should strive towards. As former young MUN participants, full of optimism, we debated international disarmament, human rights, economic metrics, global security, and countless other topics with the hope of translating ideals into real-world solutions. That belief that no problem is unsolvable has built in us a profound sense of responsibility and purpose in making the world a better place, now as grownups.

Many of us who once participated in MUN conferences now hold diverse roles as career diplomats, activists, fearless journalists and lawyers, creative artists and filmmakers, business professionals, and economists, and many other impactful professionals. As present and future leaders and change-makers, we carry forward the idealism nurtured through MUN, armed with the knowledge that meaningful progress comes from dialogue, empathy, and shared commitment to collective well-being. And in a real world full of challenges, at global stages or just at our daily office politics, we must not lose sight of the idealism that once shaped us and propelled us towards a more peaceful, inclusive and solidary community, echoing the very same principles upon which the United Nations was founded.

PS. Big thanks for those enthusiasts that helped shaping these experiences during all these years, and were in my mind when putting these thoughts down. Marcelo Magdaleno Firas Kayal Igor Fasti Bia Krieger João Pedro Prado Bernardo F. Henrique Mendonça Torres Sottovia Hermano do Amaral Pinto Neto Rafaela F. Daniel Sørensen Philip Læborg Andreas Reinschmidt Nima Sophia Tisdall Jessica Gazolini de Moraes Chaves Pedro Nogueira Augusto Lepre de Souza Barbára Méllo Gustavo Manicardi Schneider Luis Gustavo Silva Matias Luis Guilherme Matias Rafael Bitter Stephanie Hering David Amorim Gabriel Donato P. Gonçalves Ethan Lyle Dominique Isabelle Hyde