GD Goenka School, in partnership with Yale University, organised the Model United Nations (MUN), bringing together 230 students from over 25 GD Goenka schools across India. The event, held at the GD Goenka World School in Gurugram, was a collaboration between the Yale International Relations Association (YIRA) and the GD Goenka educational network.

The three-day conference featured eight committees curated by the YIRA team from Yale University. Students participated in discussions on global issues, including climate action (UNFCCC), global health challenges (WHO), crisis management, and space exploration policy (COPUOS). Participants also addressed topics such as the ethics of investigative journalism and the media's role in humanitarian crises.

At the event

The conference was inaugurated by Amitabh Jhingan from EY-Parthenon, who shared his views on global collaboration and leadership. “The youth’s role in global collaboration is more important than ever,” said Jhingan, setting the tone for the conference discussions. The discussions aimed to highlight the significance of youth involvement in addressing complex global challenges.

The closing ceremony featured an address by Prateek Kanwal, Co-founder of the Kautilya School of Public Policy. He emphasised the importance of youth-led change in shaping public policy, stating, “The next generation has the potential to drive real change in governance and policy.” His words underscored the potential of youth to influence the future.

What students and parents said

A student from GD Goenka, Surat, remarked, “I’ve never felt more empowered to express my ideas on global issues.” A parent from GD Goenka, Siliguri, noted, “The MUN taught our children to think critically, work collaboratively, and build confidence—skills that are essential for the future.”

According to the GD Goenka school, the initiative aimed to foster skills in negotiation, public speaking, and critical thinking, preparing students for leadership roles in a global context.