From Mines to Multilateralism: My Model UN Journey
When I first saw the topic “Mine Action Assistance,” I immediately pictured mines as places where resources are extracted from the ground. It wasn’t until I read the issue synopsis that I realized it was about landmines, explosive remnants of war that continue harming communities long after conflicts end. That realization hooked me. Suddenly, this wasn’t just a topic for debate; it was a humanitarian issue affecting real people.
After receiving my country assignment, Ethiopia, I dove into research. I wanted to understand not only the issue of landmines, but also how Ethiopia’s history, regional position, and development priorities shaped its perspective. I thought all that preparation would calm my nerves. It didn’t. Walking into the United Nations building on the first day of the conference was breathtaking. I remember thinking that I could see myself in that room one day, working to make real change. Something shifted for me at that moment.
To calm my nerves, I started talking to other delegates. From California to Germany, everyone brought different perspectives to the same issue. It reminded me that the UN system is built on diversity, different countries, different priorities, but one shared table. I even left the week with a pen pal.
On the second day, as a first-time participant, I felt both overwhelmed and excited. No tutorial could have fully prepared me for the procedures used at what was formerly the WFUNA International Model United Nations conference, hosted by the World Federation of United Nations Associations. The simulation was intentionally realistic. There were structured caucuses, formal motions, and even the Vienna Formula, which allows experts and civil society representatives to brief delegates. At first, I felt underprepared because the procedures were different from what I had practiced. But once the chair explained everything, that nervousness turned into motivation.
As debate began, I started to understand something important about the United Nations: progress happens slowly and collaboratively. During line-by-line review, every word of the resolution was debated. It showed me how precise diplomacy has to be. A single phrase can change the meaning of an entire policy. Through the Vienna Formula and expert briefings, I also saw how the UN system incorporates voices beyond governments, especially on humanitarian issues like mine action.
At the beginning of the simulations, I was constantly asking others for help. By the end, people were asking me. That growth in confidence was one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. I learned that diplomacy is not about dominating a room — it is about listening, compromising, and finding common ground.
Throughout the week, I also attended several events hosted in partnership with the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Hearing from leaders within the UN community and youth advocates from different countries opened my eyes to how important young people are in international affairs. During a listening session with the UNA-USA Youth Advisor, we discussed the challenges youth face in accessing multilateral spaces. It made me realize that advocacy is not just about global issues like landmines — it is also about ensuring young voices are included in shaping solutions.
By the closing ceremony, I felt proud of the work our committee accomplished. Reaching consensus on a resolution about Mine Action Assistance showed me how multilateralism actually works: it is messy, sometimes chaotic, but ultimately rooted in cooperation. Although I was honored to receive the Diplomacy Award, the award was not the highlight of my experience. The most meaningful part was the people I met and the realization that youth truly belong in these global conversations.
This conference did more than teach me procedures. It showed me how the UN system functions in practice and strengthened my commitment to continuing my advocacy through UNA-USA. What began as confusion over the word “mine” ended as a deeper understanding of how international cooperation can create lasting change, and how I can be part of it.
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Saanvi Venumbaka served as a UNA-USA Delegate to the 2026 WFUNA International Model UN Conference in New York City.
