The young minds preparing to shape the political landscape of the future (ILYMUN in Action)
Journalist: Evgenii LYZINTSEV
“Policy-making is constantly evolving. One day, you’re writing with pencils; the next, pencils are banned because of the material they contain. Change happens rapidly, and young people need to be part of it. I wish I had been more engaged earlier – staying informed, following the news, and connecting with other young activists.”
– Teresa Byrne, Guest Speaker at ILYMUN 2025
Hot lobbying (SC1) - Credits: ILYMUN Press
For your reference – general information about the conference format.
The ILYMUN 2025 conference is a sandbox for the ambitious and bright young minds to try on roles with varying degrees of responsibility. This simulation of the political action arena not only teaches the art of effective debate, which is clearly invaluable for future politicians and public speakers, but also encourages the participants to take action – this competence is indispensable in the present world.
The delegates are divided into committees, each responsible for a specific aspect of the diplomatic scene. The names and functions of these committees usually mirror their roles in the United Nations. Some examples are:
The Security Council – one of the six principal organs of the UN which is charged with ensuring international peace and security. This year, this committee tackled global crises by demanding ceasefires, deploying peacekeeping forces, enforcing sanctions, and facilitating humanitarian aid.
Hard-working SC2 Chairs - Credits: ILYMUN Press
International Court of Justice – adjudicates general disputes between nations, and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues. Here, the sentencing of the Hamas leaders proceeded in a tense atmosphere, with opposing countries clearly intervening.
All eyes on the guest speaker (ICJ) - Credits: ILYMUN Press
Action assembly – a unique committee in which delegates do not represent a country, but rather their own opinions. The “motions” the delegates come up with are genuine plans which could be put in action. This year, delegates discussed youth political underrepresentation, designing local initiatives, and committing to three months of post-conference accountability. The chairs guided delegates through the "Think Globally, Act Locally" approach, transforming students into change-makers.
Think Globally, Act Locally in action - Credits: ILYMUN Press
Why you?
You might be wondering, "What mission is he talking about?”, echoing what Miss Trout, a conference organiser, said in her speech at the closing ceremony of ILYMUN 2025: your mission is your life.
You, as a youth, and your life as an accompanying factor, are the key components of the future, which is just around the corner. Now, you are shaping your life by experiences, but very soon you will become a part of something bigger – an evolving block of revolutionary people.
Youth in politics
Youth in politics is a topic which has been covered and explored by the variety of committees during the ILYMUN 2025 conference, where delegates laboured, creating resolutions aimed to integrate the youngest generation more into the development of the world.
Happiness incarnate - Credits: ILYMUN Press
For what?
There's a common perception that young people tend to be too idealistic in political matters. However, if we view idealism as a natural human tendency – believing people are better than they actually are, we can find democracy itself being based on idealism, – the belief that people can govern themselves wisely, and as Teresa Byrne noticed – “Democracy remains the best political system we have.” We may start to see idealism as an inalienable, but sometimes lacking feature of politics in our restless world.
MUN as a concept might’ve originated from a student-led initiative, with early simulations of international diplomacy taking place in the 1920s. Young people bring new perspectives to the table, expanding the existing horizons. Regarding the political crisis of the world we live in, through the eyes of young and bright delegates, the picture of the future brightens. Many reasonable resolutions could truly make positive results a reality if they were implemented and brought to light by the participants.
ILYMUN 2025 demonstrated the power of young minds to shape the future of politics and diplomacy. Through engaging debates, crisis resolutions, and policy-making, students step into the roles of world leaders, addressing real-world global challenges with determination.
Attending the ILYMUN conference not only sharpens skills of negotiation and public speaking, but it also allows us to see ourselves as active participants in shaping the world of tomorrow. When it comes to solving complex issues, whether in the Security Council, the ICJ, or the Action Assembly, the passion and fresh perspectives of young people show that they are not just the future of politics, but also the driving force for a better world today.
Bibliography:
Oxford Global, 2020. A brief history of Model United Nations. [online] Available at: https://www.oxfordglobal.org/blog/2020/10/6/a-brief-history-of-model-united-nations [Accessed 15 March 2025].
United Nations, 2024. International Court of Justice. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Court_of_Justice [Accessed 15 March 2025].
United Nations, 2024. United Nations Security Council. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council [Accessed 15 March 2025].
ILYMUN, 2025. Action Assembly. [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/ilymun-inside-the-conference/action-assembly-72e904bc0096 [Accessed 15 March 2025].