The Ferney-Voltaire UN simulation model is organised every year by the International High School of Ferney-Voltaire. This three-day conference engages students from across the globe, aiming to raise awareness about international relations, diplomacy, and the work of the United Nations. Participants take the role of national diplomats, engaging in debates and drafting resolutions on various global issues each year.

FerMUN exemplifies initiatives that bring the United Nations closer to young people, fostering understanding and dialogue on pressing global challenges. For 2025, similar to 2024, the focus was on social justice and labour rights, with the event hosted at the International Labour Organization offices in Geneva.

Gaivile Stankeviciene, Head of the EU Delegation’s Health and Social section, participated in the opening ceremony of the 15th edition of FerMUN which took place on 7 January 2025 at the Palais des Nations. She emphasised the EU's unwavering commitment to multilateralism and the strong EU-UN partnership.

“In a world where multilateralism is often questioned and conflicts still affect a large proportion of the population, seeing a room full of young people ready to listen to each other, debate, and build solutions together is a very promising sign for the future. (...) Young people are not the future, they are the present. Your voices matter in shaping policies that impact both current and future generations.” Gaivile Stankeviciene, Head of the EU Delegation’s Health and Social section

Other panellists of the opening ceremony included Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations at Geneva, Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, and Claire Thuaudet, Deputy Permanent Representative of the French Delegation to the UN in Geneva. All the panellists emphasised the pivotal role of young people as drivers of progress and highlighted FerMUN's exceptional contribution in fostering a platform for dialogue and mutual understanding.

"As our Secretary General António Guterres often repeats: you can't create the future for our grandchildren with the organisation built by our grandfathers. We need to change, we need to prepare the multilateral system for the challenges not only of today, but tomorrow. And of course it's only with you, young people, that we can do this. That's why this meeting is so important." Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations at Geneva

"At a time when we know that several elections are shifting to the right (...) we should ask the questions: What is the value of multilateralism? What is the purpose of the United Nations? In 5 years, in 10 years, in 20 years, it is you who will take up this responsibility." Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO

“FerMUN is where policy innovation takes shape, and where tomorrow’s leaders find ways to ensure tech is a tool for positive change.” Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU

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