On a bright morning of May 13, 2025, the air around the UN House in Beirut crackled with energy, not from political negotiations or press conferences, but from the eager chatter of nearly 80 high school students, each one a budding diplomat, thinker, or leader. Coming from Rafic Hariri High School in Saida, Brummana High School in Metn, SSCC Kfarhbab in Keserwan, these students had more in common than just their uniforms or their shared age group. They were all Model United Nations (MUN) participants, some of them national and international award-winners, drawn together by a single goal: to witness diplomacy in action.

Their visit was orchestrated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO), in collaboration with the UN Information Centre (UNIC Beirut) and the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL). The day was more than a field trip. It was a journey into the heart of international cooperation and leadership, offering them rare access to the rooms where peace, justice, and development for Lebanon and the region are deliberated.

“This is your space now,” said Nadine Daou from UNRCO-UNIC Beirut in her welcoming remarks. “Be curious… Ask questions… Speak up!” The students needed no further encouragement.

Curiosity in the UN House Main Conference Hall

In a conversational and engaging “Meet and Greet session” with Imran Riza, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, the students proved themselves anything but shy. Over 20 hands shot up with questions that reflected a deep understanding of Lebanon’s complex reality and global affairs, but also insinuated to these young minds’ concerns but also aspirations for their country’s promising future.

“What really struck me,” said Mayssa, 17, from SSCC Kfarhbab, “was how transparent, genuine, and down-to-earth Mr. Riza was. He didn’t sugarcoat the challenges, whether it’s the humanitarian crisis in the south or the funding shortfalls, but he emphasized hope and action. That was powerful.”

Riza shared insights from his journey in the UN system, emphasizing the importance of empathy, resilience, and integrity in leadership. He spoke candidly about the humanitarian challenges from the recent hostilities in southern Lebanon, and how the UN worked under extraordinary circumstances to deliver aid and uphold international humanitarian law.

“I was inspired by the energy, curiosity, and determination of Lebanese Model United Nations students today at the UN House in Beirut,” Riza later tweeted. “Their questions were sharp, their ideas bold & their hope for Lebanon unwavering.”

From Virtual Reality to Real Emotions

In one of the most emotionally resonant parts of the visit, students watched the powerful VR documentary Dreaming of Lebanon, produced by UNSCOL in collaboration with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA); a deeply human exploration of people's aspirations through human stories in a country scarred by subsequent crises. The immersive experience left many speechless.

“I felt like I was walking in someone else’s shoes,” said Ralph, 16, from Brummana High School. “It wasn’t just a movie. It showed a side of Lebanon we don’t usually see, one that’s hurting but still full of hope.”

Some students removed their VR headsets with tears in their eyes. “It was emotional. I almost cried,” one whispered from Rafic Hariri High School. “But it reminded me why we need to keep pushing for change.”

Mission Possible: Learning the Art of Negotiations and Diplomacy

Later, UNSCOL experts, Ms. Pascal El-Kassis and Mr. Alaa Abdelaziz, briefed the students about the beginnings of UN diplomacy and conflict prevention, before leading them through a scenario-based session on negotiation and conflict resolution, blending diplomacy with real-life complexities. It was a simulated but serious exercise, reflecting the difficult conversations that often unfold behind closed doors in international negotiations, using examples grounded in the Lebanese context.

“I learned that negotiation isn’t about winning. It’s about understanding the other side, compromising, and finding common ground,” said Yara, 16, from Rafic Hariri High School. “That’s something I want to apply in my own life, not just in MUN.”

Challenging Stereotypes, Rewriting Norms

In a thought-provoking session with UN Women Programme Analyst Ms. Layan El-Dani, students examined photographs depicting gender roles and stereotypes. The conversation was reflective and unflinching, touching on the subtle and overt ways gender expectations shape daily life in Lebanon and beyond.

“It made me realize how often we accept inequality without noticing it,” said a young man. “This discussion gave me the words and awareness to challenge it.”

Ms. El-Dani encouraged students to reflect on their own environments and become advocates for gender equality, challenging long-lasting stereotypes, prompting many to think more critically about their roles in shaping inclusive futures.

Messages of Hope, Seeds of Action

The visit wasn’t only about insight; it was about inspiration. Between sessions, students viewed creative public awareness videos from the UNCG’s #TakeAStep campaign—short clips tackling issues like recycling and climate change, poverty, hate speech, and gender-based violence. Many students found them both humorous and hauntingly truthful.

“These videos were absolutely stunning and compelling,” one student said. “They raised awareness about these issues in a pleasant, funny, and catchy way that will always dwell in our memory. I will surely consider taking a step toward the SDGs in my own community.”

As an engaging icebreaker at the start of the visit, UNIC Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Cynthia Khoury, led an interactive quiz that sparked curiosity and participation among the students. The quiz featured questions on the United Nations, ongoing UN reform efforts, and challenged students to identify key achievements made by the UN in Lebanon throughout 2024. The questions touched on various sectors aligned with the UN Cooperation Framework’s four pillars: People, Peace and Governance, Prosperity, and Planet (Environment), offering students a fun and informative way to learn about the UN’s work and impact in Lebanon.

As the day wound to a close with photos, laughter, and a well-deserved coffee break, the atmosphere was one of awakened ambition. The students left not only with pictures and souvenir materials about the UN Charter and Universal Declaration for Human Rights, but with renewed conviction to be agents of change.

The Bigger Picture

Behind the scenes, this event is part of a broader UN effort to strategically invest in Lebanon’s youth, driven by different UN agencies operating in Lebanon through youth-focused programs like the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP), Generation of Innovation Leaders (GIL), and Youth for Impact, among others. The message is clear: Lebanon’s future is being built not just in conferences and meetings, but in the minds and hearts of its young people.

“I came here wondering what the UN actually does,” said Maurice, 17. “Now I leave wanting to be part of it.”

In a time when the news is often dominated by crises, this visit to the UN House served as a reminder that hope is not lost, it’s rising, one young leader at a time.