My name is Giovanni Callera, I am eighteen years old, and I am honoured to serve as Secretary General for the twenty-third annual session of Genoa Model United Nations.

It is with a deep sense of duty that I embrace this role, as it represents not only a significant personal milestone but also the culmination of my longstanding commitment and passion over the years.
Throughout the first months of our charge, the Secretariat and I monitored the numerous recent changes in global dynamics, acknowledging the need for courageous critical thinking rather than complacency. Thus, we, alongside the MUN Directors, formulated the theme for GeMUN2026: “Boats against the current”.
In the present-day world, where the regression of rights and liberties seems easier than progress, not standing still and surrendering to the flow is itself an act of courage. Resurgent nationalism, demagoguery, unresolved conflicts, and climate change continually threaten the social gains achieved after centuries of struggle. Therefore, it is essential to truly appreciate that these remarkable achievements must not be taken for granted; rather, they demand unwavering commitment and active protection.
As also shown by history, progress in international relations does not come from passive momentum alone, but rather from constant engagement, perseverance and the will to navigate uncertainty rather than avoiding it. Hence, diplomacy becomes an active choice to preserve fundamental principles and oppose divisive forces through dialogue, cooperation and negotiation.
Such effort is not only required of governments and institutions, but also of individuals willing to engage in an increasingly unstable global landscape, consciously setting a direction and consistently working to maintain it.
Our generation is growing up in a world marked by increasing uncertainty, polarisation, and rapid change, where we face not abstract concerns, but lived realities. It is therefore essential that today’s youth are not only aware, but also equipped with the skills needed to approach complex global situations with critical thinking and responsibility. Model United Nations conferences act as a training ground for such engagement, allowing participants to confront real challenges
through debate, cooperation and informed decisions.
As we approach the twenty-third annual session of Genoa Model United Nations, I am confident that discussions, disagreements and exchange of perspectives will collectively shape the direction necessary to engage with the complexities of the world we inhabit.

Yours faithfully,
Giovanni Callera
Secretary General
Genoa Model United Nations 2026

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