2023 has already shown itself to be a tough and challenging year. Constantly rising inflation, precariousness that is affecting an increasing number of people and an ever-growing uncertainty about the future whose burden is felt harder and harder by young people.

 

Added to all of these difficulties is the climate emergency, which has accelerated and whose manifestations are becoming more and more frequent. The new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, published in March 2023, is cristal clear: the consequences of climate change will be worse than expected and will affect a large part of the world's population within a few years. This is why it is urgent to implement decisive solutions before the "window of opportunity" definitely closes. All these reasons make it necessary for us to invest in our future and that of our planet.

 

During the 20th century, development underpinned prosperity. Indeed, the rise of industrialization has lifted many out of poverty and has allowed for a state of prosperity often associated with an abundance of food and goods for all.

 

However, the current economic and climate crises are prompting us to change our collective perception of prosperity. We wish to come back to the very core of what prosperity means, as found in the dictionary, namely: "a state of good health and favorable situation".

 

The 2023 ClerMUN edition is part of this process: rethinking our models of prosperity and development. In this context, we are setting up 5 committees to address these issues: the Security Council, the FAO, the WHO, the UNHCR and a new one, the International Court of Justice.

 

Your presence during these four days is proof of your involvement. Through our collective work we will strive to participate in finding the necessary transformations our world needs. I am convinced that we have a role to play, we are the leaders of tomorrow.

 

The entire ClerMUN team and I look forward to meeting you in Clermont-Ferrand in November.

Until then, I encourage you to keep in mind this quote from Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary General of the United Nations :

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"As the young leaders of tomorrow, you have the passion, energy and commitment to make a difference. What I would really like to encourage you to do is to have a global vision. Go beyond your country; go beyond your national boundaries".

 

Yours Sincerely,

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Zoé BOMBARDO LOOS

Secretary-General.