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Every 12 August, the international community celebrates International Youth Day, an opportunity to highlight the important role young people play in building a sustainable and peaceful future. In 2025, the theme of this day is ‘Local action by young people for the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond,’ emphasizing that in order to move the world forward, we must start with local action.

The United Nations reminds us that young people are essential partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bringing creativity, innovation and deep commitment to their communities. This day also has special significance as it marks the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, which reaffirms that when young people play a major role, societies prosper.

In this context, Model United Nations (MUN) events, and FerMUN in particular, offer a unique space where young people can express themselves, debate and develop essential skills. These simulations of the United Nations allow participants to explore major international issues and understand how global institutions work. They also develop their critical thinking, argumentation, negotiation and cooperation skills. This enables them to acquire communication, leadership and project management skills. Above all, it allows them to make their voices heard on global issues, thereby strengthening their civic engagement.

Our Fermun conference is a perfect illustration of this commitment. Every year, it brings together young people who are motivated to learn about international relations while exercising their influence in structured debates on a variety of issues, including artificial intelligence, human rights and sustainable development.

These conferences are a real incubator for young people, offering them a stimulating and educational environment where they can become agents of change, both locally and globally. They embody the powerful message of International Youth Day: that action by young people, starting at the local level, can transform the world.

With more than 1.2 billion young people on the planet, many of whom face considerable challenges such as unemployment, conflict or exclusion, strengthening these spaces for expression and training is more necessary than ever.

International Youth Day 2025 therefore invites all stakeholders, from governments to youth organisations and educators, to invest in these participatory and educational platforms to offer young people a future where their voices truly count.

Ruben Buchot 

May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day, an ideal opportunity to reflect on the various actions undertaken to protect journalists.

“The press is the only bulwark against tyranny,” said George Washington. This famous quote underlines the importance of a free press, both economically and ideologically. Yet today, press freedom is in decline across the globe. According to Anne Bocandé, editorial director of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), “without economic independence, there is no free press.” More and more media outlets are being bought by investors who use their control to spread their ideologies. In addition to this issue of independence, journalist safety is increasingly at risk: in 2024, 122 journalists were killed in the line of duty. According to UNESCO, “86% of crimes against journalists remain unpunished,” and over 1,700 journalists have been killed in total. How is a free press even possible when countries like the United States have dropped to 57th place in RSF’s global press freedom index and are now considered “problematic”?

First, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has launched several awareness-raising initiatives. Chief among them is the establishment of World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, 1991, following the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration. This day aims to inform the global public about the risks journalists face to keep the world informed. It also led to the creation of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, named after a Colombian journalist assassinated for exposing Pablo Escobar’s influence in politics. The prize annually honors an individual, organization, or institution that defends or promotes press freedom worldwide.

But what exactly is the Windhoek Declaration? Drafted in May 1991 by around sixty African journalists at the end of a seminar on developing an independent and pluralistic African press (organized by UNESCO and the United Nations), it is considered the foundation for all subsequent UNESCO texts and declarations regarding press freedom. The “Windhoek Process,” a global movement of awareness following the declaration, had several concrete outcomes:

• The creation of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global alert network that reports violations of international standards and supports journalists in danger;
  
• Support from the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which helps private media outlets maintain financial independence.
  

The United Nations also adopted a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. This plan is built on six pillars: raising awareness; defining strong international standards; implementing specialized national policies (which have already strengthened legislation in over 50 countries, according to UNESCO); monitoring and reporting; strengthening protection and legal aid mechanisms; and conducting research. The plan also led to the creation of the Coalition for the Safety of Journalists (CSJ), which fosters international cooperation to end impunity.

Finally, a partnership with the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights (University of Oxford) enabled the creation of global online training courses (MOOCs) on freedom of expression and journalist safety, aimed at members of the judiciary. The first course ran from May to June 2021. It helped legal professionals better understand the relevant legal frameworks and featured case studies, including on gender-based violence against women journalists. As a result of this MOOC, 23,000 judicial actors and civil society representatives from 150 countries have been trained on these fundamental issues.

In conclusion, UNESCO works closely with many state and private actors to defend freedom of expression and ensure the safety of journalists. The risks faced by journalists are global: for example, Juan Dayang was assassinated on May 13th in the Philippines, while Hilmi Al-Faqawi and Ahmed Mansour were killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on May 7th, 2025. Press freedom remains a vital and urgent battle for human rights.

Elio Do Vales Martins

When the assembly is in the middle of a debate and a delegate suddenly calls out: “Motion to move to voting procedure!”, a general “Seconded!” rings out. At this point, all the committee chairmen exchange a look of panic and uncertainty. However, with a simple nod from Manon Grivotet, then General Secretary in charge of training, it was enough to reassure them. One of the participants takes a breath and announces in a firm voice: “So now we’re going to move on to the voting procedure.” At the final plenary session of the FerMUN 2025 resolution, fourteen apprenticeship presidents, who had successfully passed the first stage of the selection process, were given the opportunity to prove themselves to the assembly in the open debate and then in the closed debate, supported by the four confirmed full presidents.

Demanding training, total commitment

Being a committee chairman at FerMUN is no easy task. At the heart of the UN simulation, committee chairmen have a key role to play: overseeing debates, guaranteeing procedure and  maintaining a rhythm, while remaining attentive to delegates. For FerMUN 2026, the selection process was once again rigorous. Supervised by Manon Grivotet, the presidential candidates first went through an initial selection process. Then came the real-life situation: during the debate on the FerMUN 2025 resolution, these students were able to practice under live conditions, co-chairing an assembly full of MUN participants.

A trainer committed to the chairs

For Manon Grivotet, this mentoring role is all part of the FerMUN journey. She confides: “It’s very important for me to accompany them in their training, because I’ve been extremely lucky to have received advice and knowledge from our former DSG Chair Jasmine. I hope to share my knowledge and to be at their side throughout the preparation and at the conference. I’m sure they will also bring me a fresh perspective on the role of chair, and I look forward to forging strong links with them!”

A team of experienced presidents to guide newcomers

This year, four student presidents have been appointed: Leya Petitjean, Lena Quéguiner, Filip Drozd and Jasmine Eugene, whose experience and rigor serve as a benchmark. Alongside them, the fourteen apprentices form a promising group of students who have already experienced the responsibilities of a committee: Blaise Arenales-Schwartz , Maya Baines , Eulalie Bohler , Elisa Bourguignon , Charlotte Dauchez , Grégoire Oury , Laurent Kogej , Clara Nguyen , Mathilda Rey , Hanae Schwebel , Nicky Taylor , Typhaine Tchognia Djamen Gnikeu Yoke , Harriet Onyango and Aimie Quéguiner.

These apprentice presidents will still have to prove themselves over the coming months, notably at MockMUN, where they will be entrusted with the chairmanship of committees. A final selection will be made at the end of the school year, prior to the FerMUN 2026 conference. For them, the objective is clear: to embody the neutrality, benevolence and mastery for which FerMUN chairs are renowned. More than a role, a responsibility.

Ferney-Voltaire Model United Nations (FerMUN) is a vast and rich ecosystem , where each role is unique and contributes to the diplomatic experience in different ways . One of the most complex roles which can be taken on by the young students is the role of a chair . In this article , we will discover everything that there is to know about this fascinating position, with insights from FerMUN 2025 chairs!

FerMUN’s goal is to bring together young students from all over the world to participate in diplomatic simulations that resemble the real United Nations as much as possible. All UN conferences are structured by several assemblies or committees . Each assembly or committee is presided by one or several individuals, typically referred to as chairs. At the heart of the debate, the chairs carry considerable responsibilities which determine the outcome of the debates, and therefore the conference as a whole.

“In my opinion, a chair is simultaneously implicated in the debate and also the organisation. Indeed, a chair has to know how to manage a debate well: speaking, points and motions, lobbying, amendments, the list goes on.  But at the same time the chair has to be invested and implicated in the organisation of the conference, by writing a research report linked to an issue that will be debated later on by the delegates” – Rayan, a chair in terminale 

Long before debates commence, chairs begin their hard work by preparing the issues that will be debated . They meticulously research the topic assigned to them and formulate two questions that the delegates will debate on. Once the questions are formulated, each chair consolidates their research and acquired knowledge by writing an in-depth research report . This report is an essential resource used by the delegates to understand the issue and begin forming their delegation’s position for the debate. It is an indispensable step of preparing the conference, the base that the debates are built on. 

“Chairs are here to make sure that the debate moves forwards in a respectful environment in order to have the most successful exchange possible between the delegates.” -Mina, a chair in terminale

Once the conference has started, the chairs take on a new, difficult responsibility: managing dozens of delegates as well as the admins, translators and interpreters in their committee for three days . Chairs have to keep their eye on the clock to make sure that there will be enough time for icebreakers, lobbying, amendments, speeches and votes. Time management isn’t their only responsibility: they have to help their delegates in the right direction so that they can come up with innovative and interesting solutions to the issue at hand, all while collaborating with other delegates and having constructive debates as differences arise. 

“Maintaining order is of course a priority of a chair , but a chair also has to remain friendly and polite towards everyone – no matter their role- and be reassuring if there are any issues .A good team is formed with a strong bond and trust between the members.” -Rania, chair in première.

All good chairs will agree that an encoraging and polite attitude is essential for a chair to have in order to have a successful conference. Indeed, a chair has to make sure to be friendly and sociable with their delegates, co-chairs, admins , translators and interpreters, as well as the other members of the board and FerMUN directors. By building connections and positive relationships with everyone, the chairs ensure that the conference unfolds smoothly in a calm environment , where each individual can make the most of a spectacular conference !

Marta Prokopchuk