NextGen UN

NextGen UN is a youth-led initiative of the United Nations Association Estonia that aims to increase young people’s awareness of the UN, international relations and opportunities to participate in international cooperation. The initiative was launched in 2024 under the leadership of two young people—Bogdan Janakov and Sebastian Rock—and, with support from Erasmus+, quickly grew into one of the Association’s central programmes. NextGen UN is founded on the belief that young people have an important role in shaping the future. This requires knowledge, practical experience and opportunities to participate in public debate. The initiative aims to make international relations and the UN understandable to young people and demonstrate how everyone can influence society through their ideas and actions.

Through the programme, the United Nations Association Estonia organises youth conferences, Model UN simulations, school visits and other educational projects. In 2025, NextGen UN led two nationwide youth conferences and the first Tartu Model UN, with more than 600 young people participating in its activities. Estonian diplomats, experts, politicians and representatives of international organisations spoke at the conferences and simulations, while young participants had the opportunity to discuss issues affecting the world, learn about diplomacy and develop their argumentation skills. In 2026, NextGen UN continues with new activities supported by Erasmus+. In addition to the next youth conference and Tartu Model UN, the Global Citizens Academy will be launched—a new development programme for young people who wish to deepen their knowledge of international relations, develop leadership skills and put their ideas for making the world a better place into practice.