ILYMUN 2026 Press
The Gossip Box
Not all the action at ILYMUN happens when debating. Some of the most interesting stories happen inside of the gossip box.
Throughout the conference, each committee has their very own gossip box where delegates can drop anonymous comments, ‘hear me out’s’, observations, ships or even the occasional roast (all approved by the admin before being put in the box).
This usually results in hilarious snapshots of a committee's secret life: the most nominated hear me outs, the best hair, outfits or even secret admirers.
From Partnerships to Global Health: A Discussion with Babatope Akinwande
“If you are healthy, you can think and you can dream.”
This interview features Babatope Akinwande. Currently, he works for the WHO Academy in Lyon as the team leader for partnerships and resources mobilization, meaning his goal is to create partnerships and mobilize both financial and non-financial resources for the WHO Academy to carry out its mission and objectives. In a nutshell, he has been an international civil servant for the majority of his life. His past experience includes working with the UN, UNICEF in New York and in Senegal, the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and UNAIDS in Geneva and Senegal.
From Injustice to Action: David McNair on Shaping Global Policy and Climate Solutions
“I always wanted to tackle causes” stated Mr David McNair, executive director at the ONE campaign, in conversation with Anaaya Patil, a member of our press team.
Mr McNair, nonresident Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, working in the Global Order and Institutions program, a council member at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and a Board member of the Africa Europe Foundation, spoke with us about international development, climate policy, and the role of the youth in shaping global solutions.
Justice in Motion: Leaders, Diplomats, and Delegates Launch ILYMUN 2026
"True justice may be an ideal we never fully achieve, but it is something we must always strive for." These words, delivered by ILYMUN’s Secretary-General Fleur Reilly-Neveu, set the tone for the 13th edition of the annual ILYMUN conference, officially inaugurated on 12th March 2026, with its Opening Ceremony.
Interview with Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of INTERPOL and Keynote Speaker, ILYMUN 2026
Valdecy Urquiza, the Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) since November 2024, spoke as the keynote speaker at ILYMUN 2026. Urquiza, who previously served as a Vice President of the Americas on INTERPOL’s Executive Committee between 2021-2024 and as the Director of International Cooperation for the Brazilian Federal Police, gave a pertinent speech on the role his organisation plays in delivering justice and maintaining the rule of law globally, in addition to answering the ILYMUN Press’ questions on how his organisation’s work and his career link to this year’s conference’s theme of : Justice in Motion: Building Trust, Protecting Rights.
Injustices from the Frontlines: What Journalism in Conflict Zones is like - Interview with Xan Rice
In a world that faces increasing human rights violations through conflict, investigative journalism has never been more important. From the conflict zones of East Africa to the committees at ILYMUN, Xan Rice offers his insights and highlights how reporting and free media can expose great injustices and give a voice to the voiceless.
Entrepreneurship and Geopolitics: Navigating the World of Business in Uncertain Times - Interview with Franck Glaizal
"Geopolitics is everywhere", explains Franck Glaizal, a private equity investor and geopolitics speaker from the Lyon International Club. At ILYMUN 2026, I had the chance to speak with Mr. Glaizal, who draws upon his years of experience across various industries and markets to share his unique insights. In a world where the markets are increasingly impacted by global events, his advice highlights the relevance of understanding geopolitics when navigating modern business.
ILYMUN Represents Hope - An Interview with Robert Miller
Robert Miller, former Head of the CSI Anglophone Section, was a guest speaker for the Historical Security Council. It was a special opportunity to hear about the challenges faced during the 1958 Algerian War. Mr. Miller was also one of the founding members of the ILYMUN conference and helped it to grow to the success that we know today.
Over the years, ILYMUN has become an important event that brings students together to debate global issues, develop leadership skills, and better understand how international cooperation works.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Miller and discuss some of the past and present experiences of the ILYMUN Conference.
Interview with Florencio Travieso : Swiss blade Students and Diplomacy over War
“We don’t want answers, we want good questions,” pronounced Florencio Travieso during his interview with a member of the press team in ILYMUN 2026. He gave us insight on how students aspiring to have a career in international law and in international organisations, valuing the innate curiosity of the highschoolers in ILYMUN as well as their understanding of others. Our secretary General Paul Emile Berthodin also stressed the importance of this in his opening speech : the importance of understanding or at least being open to understanding why and how totalitarian, oppressive dictators lead their countries in an oppressive manner. The key to international cohesion and peace is, according to our valued guest, is understanding and communicating with others without resorting to the disastrous fallback of war.
The Future of Women’s Protection Rights - Interview with Sarah Blin
“Don't be fooled by the big names and the status and the prestige” affirmed UN Women consultant, Sarah Blin when asked about the United Nations’ place in society by our press member Sarah Collin.
Sarah Blin is an Independent consultant and expert on social policy, humanitarian and development aid with a focus on social protection rights, the role of the social service workforce, gender and disability. She takes a particular interest in unpaid care work for women.
Advocacy in Motion: Speaking for the Vulnerable - Interview with Luellen Delorme Kazan
Luellen Delorme Kazan is a Senior Humanitarian Advocacy Advisor. Alongside her colleagues, she works in countries affected by crises with the objective of understanding the dynamics and the needs of people affected by conflict, displacement, or humanitarian emergencies in order to be a voice for communities in need. She works in many different organisations like the United Nations, where she tries to influence political decision makers with the hope of helping vulnerable groups regain their basic rights and find security in their living place.
An Interview with Ms. Trout - ISL’s MUN Director
The Model United Nations club is an opportunity for students to debate real-life global issues, build confidence in public speaking, and work together with other students from other schools. At ISL, Ms. Nora Trout is the director of the MUN club as well as one of the event organizers for ILYMUN, and she helps guide students through weekly meetings and the conferences. Despite her busy schedule, we have been granted a chance to interview her about her experiences throughout her journey leading and guiding students over the years. As she is planning to retire this year, we hope her insightful comments can inspire future delegates and others who follow. This interview explores the history of ILYMUN, the experiences she has had, and some advice for future participants and directors of ILYMUN.
The ICC’s case against Omar al-Bashir : Pursuing Accountability for atrocities in Darfur
Since Sudan gained independence in 1956, deep rooted tensions have persisted between the north and the south of the country. This divide is generally attributed to religious and ethnic differences: the north is predominantly Muslim and ethnically Arab, while the south is largely Christian and Animist. However, these tensions escalated at the end of the 20th century and transformed into two civil wars. The Second Sudanese Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2005, was the deadliest of the two, and although the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, violence did not cease. In the Darfur region, fighting between the government-backed militia, known as the Janjaweed, and rebel African groups intensified between 2003 and 2008. As a result of the conflict, approximately 200,000 civilians died from violence, starvation, and disease, while nearly two million civilians were displaced from their homes.
Building climate-resistant health systems: Is the WHO prepared to protect global health in a warming world?
As climate change accelerates and health inequalities strengthen, global health structures are confronted with growing pressure. At ILYMUN 2026, delegates in the World Health Organization (WHO) committee will debate a central question: Can the international health system ensure equitable access to healthcare while building systems capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change?
Is the United Nations’ impact significant enough to assure the protection of Women’s rights?
Gender-based violence against girls and women is a problematic violation of human rights. More than 1 out of 3 women (totalling about 840 million worldwide) have experienced sexual or other forms of violence due to their gender. This disproportion reveals the inequalities faced in our societies and highlights the urgent need for change. Women are also more likely to get hurt by the people they live with, like family members or even their husbands or partners. Today, crimes against women are some of the least reported due to stereotypes, gaps in criminal law and procedures, and victim blaming.
Intrusion vs. Protection: Evaluating the Ethics and Effectiveness of Digital Surveillance in Crime Prevention
Our modern world is evolving at a rapid pace. This transformation is significantly driven by growing interconnection through international networks. Criminal networks are now spreading faster than borders can contain them. This has led to increasingly intricate transnational crime. Over the years, transnational crime has expanded alongside global mobility, making its operations ever more elaborate. From digital money laundering to illicit trading and cyberharassment, these networks operate across many jurisdictions with a worrying ease.
The relevance of ILYMUN themes in global geopolitics
Are our annual ILYMUN themes mirrored in global politics today, or are they mere ideas for high schoolers to play around with as elusive, utopian ideas that are irrelevant to modern politics ?
ILYMUN Fashion: The Importance of Dressing the Right Way
When the ILYMUN student delegates come together this spring to represent their assigned countries and give their speeches, there is one thing they should be thinking of long before they set foot out their door on that morning, maybe even before they finish writing their speeches. That is… “what am I going to wear?”
The UN and its Relevance
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization composed of 193 different countries from around the world! It was created after World War II, with the main aim being to prevent future conflict by encouraging communication and cooperation between nations. Over the course of 80 years, many countries have joined and developed the UN as we know it today.
What to do in Lyon
For a true Lyon experience, head up to the beautiful Fourvière where you can overlook the whole city. All it takes is a quick funicular ride from the old town, or a scenic stroll up the hill through the rose gardens. At the tip you’ll find the gorgeous Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, visible from almost anywhere in Lyon. The interior design is astonishing, yet almost pales in comparison to the view of the city’s rooftops, nestled between two rivers. If you’re lucky you’ll even get to see the snowy capped Alps. A short walk away are ancient Roman theatres, a glimpse into the city’s rich history, dating back over 2000 years. These well-preserved ruins allow an insight into Roman life and make the walk up the Fourvière hill truly worthwhile.