Opportunities to Get Involved

Achieving the UN’s goals does not depend solely on Member States and international organisations. Young people, students, teachers, researchers, companies, civil society organisations and anyone interested can also contribute. Getting involved does not necessarily mean working for the UN. Many people contribute to international cooperation through education, volunteering, research, civil society or the public sector. What matters is an interest in the world and a desire to find solutions to global problems.

The first step is to understand how the UN works and what role it plays in international cooperation. The UN addresses issues that affect us all—peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, climate change, humanitarian assistance, international law and much more. You can learn about these topics at school, university, public lectures, seminars and events organised by the UN and UNA Estonia. UN organisations also publish a wealth of free learning materials, reports and analyses.

One of the most popular ways to learn about the UN’s work is Model United Nations (MUN). It is a simulation in which participants take on the roles of diplomats from different countries and discuss international issues in the same way as UN bodies. Model UN develops skills in argumentation, negotiation, public speaking and teamwork and provides a valuable insight into how international diplomacy works. UNA Estonia regularly organises Model UN conferences and training and also supports young people’s participation in international events.

UNA Estonia offers opportunities to participate in various projects, training sessions, discussions and youth programmes. The Association aims to increase knowledge of the UN, international cooperation and sustainable development and bring these topics closer to people in Estonia. Participants include people of different ages—upper-secondary school students, university students, teachers, young professionals and anyone else interested.

The work of international organisations requires knowledge from a wide range of fields. Studies in international relations, law, economics, political science, environmental sciences, information technology, health or languages may all be valuable. In addition to diplomats, the UN employs lawyers, doctors, economists, interpreters, communications specialists, engineers, data analysts and professionals from many other fields.

The UN Youth Delegate Programme gives a young person the opportunity to become a member of Estonia’s official delegation to the UN for one year and bring the voice of Estonian youth into international decision-making. Among other responsibilities, the Youth Delegate participates in the work of the UN General Assembly, its Third Committee and the Economic and Social Council, provides the delegation with input on issues affecting young people, represents Estonia at international events and introduces the work of the UN to young people in Estonia. The programme was launched in Estonia in 2018 by the Estonian National Youth Council (ENL) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also organise the selection of the Youth Delegate. The programme offers an opportunity to see first-hand how Estonia works at the UN, work alongside diplomats and represent the views of young people in Estonia internationally.

Many UN organisations offer internships, young professional programmes and jobs in different regions of the world. Both students and professionals with varying levels of work experience may apply. International work experience usually requires strong foreign-language skills, relevant professional preparation and a willingness to work in a multicultural environment.

You can also help achieve the UN’s goals through your everyday choices. Responsible consumption, environmental protection, volunteering, participation in community initiatives and respect for human rights are all ways in which each person can contribute to building a more sustainable and just world. Although an individual contribution may seem small, greater changes often result from the collective action of many people.

International relations change rapidly, and new issues are continually added to the UN’s agenda. If you want to keep up with developments around the world, follow news from the UN and UNA Estonia, participate in public discussions and use reliable sources of information. Awareness is often the first step towards active participation.