NextGen UN 2025–2026

The first year of NextGen UN activities was implemented in 2025–2026 with support from the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. The project aimed to increase young people’s knowledge of the UN, international cooperation and global politics while giving them opportunities to develop diplomacy, debating and leadership skills through practical activities. The project focused on actively engaging young people, explaining international issues, and fostering an understanding of how everyone can contribute to the development of society and the world. The programme combined expert presentations, discussions, simulations and practical learning, bringing together young people from across Estonia.

The first major event was the youth conference “How Can You Change the World?”, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 31 March 2025 and attended by more than 150 young people from nine Estonian counties. The programme addressed global crises, Estonia’s role in international cooperation, the work of the UN, and opportunities for young people to influence society. Speakers included Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna, Undersecretary for Global Affairs Minna-Liina Lind, members of the Riigikogu, diplomats, UN Youth Delegates and experts from several organisations. The second youth conference, “We, the 8 Billion”, was held at Tallinn University on 4 November 2025 and attended by 216 people. It focused on global challenges, international cooperation and the role of young people in society. In addition to presentations, the event featured paired discussions, debates and a public discussion between young people and a member of the Riigikogu, giving participants an opportunity to form and express their views on questions concerning the future of the world.

The project culminated in the first Tartu Model UN, held from 5 to 8 December 2025. More than one hundred young people from Estonia and abroad took part in the four-day simulation. Participants assumed the roles of diplomats representing UN Member States, negotiated, drafted resolutions and gained practical insight into how international diplomacy works. Several distinguished experts spoke at the conference, including Estonian diplomat Tiina Intelmann and Martina Volpe Donlon, who leads work on sustainable development at the UN. By involving international students, Tartu Model UN also became one of the most international UN simulations held in Estonia.

Alongside the larger events, the United Nations Association Estonia revived its tradition of school visits through the project. The project team visited six schools across Estonia and introduced more than 200 young people to the work of the UN, international cooperation and opportunities for young people to have a say in society. Altogether, the first NextGen UN project reached more than 600 young people and laid the foundation for a new youth network connecting those interested in international relations, diplomacy and the UN. The project’s success confirmed both the strong interest in global issues among young people in Estonia and the need to offer them more opportunities to gain knowledge and participate actively.

Based on the project’s results, it was decided to continue NextGen UN in the following years. With support from the Erasmus+ programme, a new project will run in 2026–2027, featuring the next youth conference, Tartu Model UN and, for the first time, the Global Citizens Academy—a development programme for young people who wish to help shape the future development of Estonia and the world.