Filippo Beninca' - Model United Nations

In our increasingly complex world, diplomacy has emerged as an indispensable tool for maintaining peace and fostering international cooperation. My deep interest for geopolitics led me to participate in Model United Nations simulations, where I played the role of a diplomat representing various countries in international organizations.

These experiences proved transformative, sharpening my critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in tangible ways. Representing a foreign nation required extensive research into its history, political landscape, and cultural foundations: an exercise that deepened my understanding of diverse global perspectives. To effectively advocate for my assigned country's interests, I honed essential skills in public speaking and negotiation, engaging with talented students from across Europe in substantive debates on pressing international issues.

Through these simulations, I developed not only diplomatic competencies but also a nuanced appreciation for the complexities of international relations and the art of finding common ground amid competing interests.

MUNOG - October 2024

My first Model United Nations experience took place in Goldberg (Stuttgart, Germany) during MUNOG 2024, a five-day international simulation that annually brings together over 150 students from across Europe. I represented the Arab Republic of Egypt in the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), where I actively engaged in high-level diplomatic debate on two key agenda items:

balancing citizens’ right to privacy with the necessity of surveillance measures in counter-terrorism efforts.
the use of armed drones in targeted killings.

Throughout the conference, I defended Egypt’s security-oriented approach, emphasizing the country’s exposure to persistent terrorist threats while simultaneously acknowledging the importance of international legal frameworks and human rights obligations. I presented my country’s position through formal speeches, moderated caucus interventions, and negotiations, contributing to discussions on proportional surveillance, legal oversight mechanisms, state sovereignty, and the regulation of emerging military technologies. Through sustained debate and collaboration with fellow delegates, I helped shape and negotiate a final resolution, which was ultimately approved by a majority of the committee, marking a successful conclusion to the conference and reinforcing my ability to combine legal reasoning, diplomacy, and policy-oriented thinking in a multilateral setting.

MUNOB - March 2025

My second experience took place at the MUNOB 2025 conference in Bucharest, a six-day event bringing together over 200 students from around the world. This time, I faced a distinctly different challenge: representing Canada in a Crisis Committee.

Unlike traditional committees, the Crisis Committee operates under unique pressure. Delegates confront an unforeseen problem revealed only on the first day and must negotiate solutions in real-time. This format demands exceptionally thorough preparation: we must master a comprehensive range of information about our assigned country, from economic policy and trade relations to defense strategy and diplomatic history.

My role proved particularly compelling given the timing of the simulation. Canada was navigating a pivotal moment in global politics, managing escalating tensions with the Trump administration while attempting to preserve its traditional alliances. Despite being a significant power, Canada has historically operated in the shadow of its dominant neighbor. Yet during this period, the country emerged as a crucial mediator, balancing European interests against American pressure: a delicate position that required nuanced diplomatic maneuvering.

Moments of desperation when the American delegate was bullying European countries...

The entire delegation of Canadian diplomats