From 3rd to 6th February 2025, the “International Model United Nations Conference” hosted by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) was held in New York, with the theme “Collaborating for a Sustainable Future”. Students Li Yanhui, Chen Hejia, Wu Yixuan, Fang Yiyu from SFD, and Zhang Jie from the College of Arts and Sciences, led by teachers Zhou Tiange and Zhong Xu, discussed global governance solutions with over 1500 youth representatives from more than 80 countries.

The session of the International Model United Nations Conference (WIMUN) established multiple committees to discuss the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Beijing Normal University team participated in the core discussion of the “Triple Planetary Crisis: Climate Chage, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution” at the Second Committee of the United Nations Environment Programme. The teachers and students explored how to address these three crises from environmental, economic, and social perspectives, and proposed comprehensive solutions, infusing Chinese design wisdom into global environmental governance.

The Global Village is one of the distinctive activities at WIMUN, aimed at fostering cross-cultural exchanges among youths from various countries. During the cultural performances at the Global Village, the SFD showcased its research and design innovations in traditional Chinese culture, such as the mascot “Si Sheng Sheng” designed for the Central Radio and Television General Station’s Snake Year Spring Festival Gala. Si Sheng Sheng integrates modern aesthetic principles with traditional cultural symbols, and its innovative expression attracted the attention of representatives from around the world, becoming an important medium for cross-cultural communication. Hon. Dr. Teta V. Banks, Chair of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, highly praised the design concept and cultural content of Si Sheng Sheng, and expressed ongoing interest in the cultural innovation achievements of Chinese universities.

During the conference, the team of teachers and students also participated in the 2025 United Nations Economic and Social Council Partnership Forum and engaged in a series of research and study activities: systematically studying the operational mechanisms of intentional organizations at the United Nations headquarters; learning about classic cases of art design at cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum; and conducting academic exchanges at Yale University. These activities deepened the teachers’ and students’ understanding of cross-cultural design innovation, accumulating international experience for future design studies.

The World Federation of United Nations Associations International Model United Nations Conference is an event specially organized for young people by official and non-governmental groups from around the world. During the conference, students act as diplomats from various countries, familiarizing themselves with the operations of the United Nations through firsthand experiences such as presenting viewpoints, engaging in policy debates, voting, and making resolutions. This helps them understand the impact of major world events on their future and their potential roles. The trip to this International Model United Nations Conference allowed the team of teachers and students to demonstrate the unique value of design in global governance through diverse practices such as Model UN meetings, cultural displays, and academic visits, marking an important effort by the academy to cultivate innovative talents with and international perspective.