He returns to New York on Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN), the largest international youth forum, will see the participation of over 4.000 students from more than 140 countries. Approximately 2.000 Italian students will participate, representing regions such as Lazio, Lombardy, Puglia, Marche, Sicily, Tuscany, Calabria, Sardinia, Veneto, and Campania. CWMUN 2026 offers young delegates a unique opportunity to discuss major global political issues, simulating the functioning of the United Nations and engaging with international leaders, diplomats, entrepreneurs, journalists, and sports figures.
Organized by the Diplomats Association and Change the World Academy
The event will take place from March 26th to 29th, opening with the traditional Opening Ceremony at the United Nations Glass Palace, where students and organizers will be welcomed by the Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, George MarrapodiFor four days, New York will become the center of an international laboratory for youth diplomacy, with insights into international cooperation, technological innovation, sustainability, and peace. In an international context marked by geopolitical tensions, CWMUN represents a space for dialogue, training, and global leadership, capable of engaging thousands of young people each year and transforming education into a tool for concrete change.
Among the guests of this edition
Jonathan Capehart, Pulitzer-winning journalist; Catherine Colonna, former French Foreign Minister; Bernardino Leon, former UN Special Representative for Libya; Caryl Stern, former President and CEO of UNICEF USA; Paul Boccardelli, Rector of Luiss Guido Carli; Maria Latella, journalist and presenter; Francesco Boccia, President of the PD Senators; Dario Nardella, Member of the European Parliament; Henry Trantino, mayor of Catania, together with numerous protagonists from the international academic, diplomatic and business worlds.
A special moment will be promoted by Marco Tardelli, world champion and Goodwill Ambassador of the Change the World Academy, who will lead a meeting on the role of sport as a tool for dialogue and peace. Among the speakers will be the Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, involved in one of the most discussed cases of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games, and the former Iranian footballer Shiva Amin, a refugee abroad after experiencing discrimination related to her hijab. A video message from the Ukrainian legend joins them. Andriy Shevchenko, and a dialogue with international football figures such as Alexandre Pato e Vincenzo Grella, with the collaboration of Milan Foundation, to promote sport as an educational tool and for personal growth.
Among the most anticipated panels of the Opening Ceremony
“Yet Here I Am: Journalism, Identity, and Democracy in a Time of Political Change”, with Jonathan Capehart, on the role of journalism in defending democratic institutions. Artificial intelligence applied to education was also at the center of the discussions, with the Rector Paul Boccardelli e Caryl Stern in the panel “AI in Education: Opportunities, Challenges and Ethics”, in addition to moments dedicated to the governance of cities in the digital age, with the participation of Francesco Boccia, Dario Nardella ed Henry Trantino.
"We live in a complex historical period. All CWMUN panels help young people understand this complexity, practice critical thinking, and discover that diplomacy means understanding others, not winning., declares Claudio Corbino, President of the Diplomats Association and Founder of the Change the World Academy.
"In a time marked by conflict, we're bringing over 4.000 students to New York to discuss dialogue and the future. The response from young people remains extraordinary, and our task is to transform this need for dialogue into a concrete lever for change.”, He adds Myrta Merlin, spokesperson for Change the World Academy.
Among the strategic collaborations of the 2026 edition, the agreement with stands out Luis Guido Carli, with the Rector Paul Boccardelli and the Pro-Rector Enzo Peruffo, strengthening the link between academic education and international diplomacy.
On March 27, at the Consulate General of Italy in New York, the book will be presented "The Challenge of Ideas. Six Voices from International Culture Talk About the Times We Live In." di Maria Latella, moderated by Salvatore Carrubba, with greetings from the Consul General Joseph PastorelliTo complete the edition, a special gift: the singer-songwriter Francesco De Gregori he translated his famous song into English Girl of '95, become “A Perfect Day to Fly”, performed by the singer Sarah Jane Ceccarelli, the official soundtrack of CWMUN 2026 and an anthem of hope for new generations.
Il Change the World Model United Nations New York 2026 It thus confirms itself as a unique international platform, capable of fostering dialogue between diplomacy and new generations, transforming global debate into growth, awareness, and leadership. Since 2016, Diplomats Association It is an NGO with Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), having trained over 100.000 students with high-quality education in collaboration with international institutions. The project Change the world It continues throughout the year with international stages in Paris, Abu Dhabi, Rome, and with the main event in New York, confirming its position as one of the leading international educational programs dedicated to training the leaders of the future.
