This July, I was honored to serve as a UNA-USA delegate at the 2026 UN Town Hall: The Next Secretary-General, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. It was an inspiring and historic gathering focused on the future of global leadership and the role of the United Nations in a rapidly changing world. We had the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates seeking to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as from diplomats, advocates, civil society representatives, UN staff, and members of the global community who are committed to advancing peace, human rights, humanitarian action, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

It was a true honor to be in a place where so much history has been made and where decisions affecting people around the world have been shaped. More importantly, the Town Hall gave us a rare opportunity to listen to different perspectives on the future of some of the world’s most urgent challenges. At a time when the world needs courageous, effective, and principled leadership, being part of this conversation was both meaningful and humbling.

The event opened with a powerful reminder that the United Nations remains at the heart of multilateralism. The next Secretary-General will carry the responsibility of defending and advancing the three pillars of the UN Charter: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. This message set the tone for the entire Town Hall and reminded us that the Secretary-General is not simply an administrator. The position requires a moral voice, a bridge-builder, and a leader capable of helping the international community respond to the needs and aspirations of more than eight billion people.

One of the most meaningful parts of the event was hearing how each candidate described the kind of leadership they believe the United Nations needs at this particular moment in history. It was particularly insightful hearing how the candidates envisioned the kind of leadership the United Nations needs at present. 

The conversations surrounding peace and security were particularly impactful. The candidates addressed conflicts and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, the Sahel, and other parts of the world where people continue to suffer while diplomacy struggles to keep pace with rapidly changing realities. They also discussed the limitations of the Security Council, particularly when vetoes and political divisions prevent meaningful collective action. One message that stood out to me was that the Secretary-General cannot simply give up when the Security Council is blocked. Although the office does not command armies or create laws, it carries significant moral authority and diplomatic influence. The Secretary-General must therefore use every available tool, including preventive diplomacy, mediation, good offices, special envoys, quiet diplomacy, field presence, and engagement with both the Security Council and the General Assembly.

Another particularly powerful theme throughout the Town Hall was trust. Whether the challenge is rebuilding trust in the United Nations or strengthening trust between institutions and the people they serve, I was inspired by the strong call for leaders to listen openly and genuinely seek solutions for people who are suffering. Without trust, countries become more divided, people lose confidence in institutions, and global problems become even more difficult to solve. The next Secretary-General will have an important responsibility to restore confidence by making the United Nations more transparent, more accountable, more effective, and more connected to the everyday lives of ordinary people.

These conversations also connected deeply with my own professional journey and my commitment to service. Through my work as a United Nations Volunteer with Purewish Foundation in Uganda, I am involved in efforts to build a school for children in Lira. This work reminds me that global conversations about leadership, development, human rights, and opportunity must ultimately translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives. I hope to contribute to a world built on trust and hope—a world where we commit ourselves to making life easier for innocent people, strengthening resilient communities, and becoming beacons of hope for the people we serve every day.

I feel fortunate to have a place in this work and to have the opportunity to help connect global, national, and local issues with tangible results. The experience has reinforced for me that leadership is not only about speaking about big ideas; it is also about turning those ideas into action that improves people’s daily lives. Whether that means supporting education, strengthening communities, advocating for human rights, or creating opportunities for people who have been left behind, meaningful leadership must ultimately be measured by the difference it makes in people’s lives.

Being a UNA-USA member added even greater meaning to my experience at the Town Hall. UNA-USA plays an important role in supporting the mission of the United Nations and in advocating for peace, defending human dignity, promoting sustainable development, supporting human rights, and helping people understand why international cooperation matters. As a member and delegate, I felt connected not only to the important conversations taking place inside the United Nations, but also to a much larger network of advocates who believe that the world’s greatest challenges require cooperation and collective action.

My time as a UNA-USA delegate reinforced a simple but powerful truth: global change begins with local action. The issues discussed at the United Nations may appear international in scale, but they are deeply connected to our own communities. Climate change affects local families. Human rights affect our neighbors. Education, economic opportunity, gender equality, public health, and peace are both local and global issues. The decisions and ideas developed on the international stage must therefore be carried into our schools, workplaces, community organizations, and advocacy spaces if they are to create meaningful change.

I left the Town Hall feeling inspired, humbled, and more committed to service. I felt part of a larger movement working to address what our world needs for the future, while also recognizing the responsibility each of us has in building a more peaceful, just, and inclusive world. Being a UNA-USA member means believing that we are not separate from the world’s challenges; we are part of the solution. It means using our voices, our communities, and our platforms to support cooperation over division, justice over indifference, and hope over fear.

Ultimately, my experience at the 2026 UN Town Hall reminded me that the future of our world will not be shaped by global institutions alone. It will also be shaped by individuals and communities willing to serve, listen, advocate, and act. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this historic conversation, and I hope to carry its lessons forward in my professional journey, my volunteer work, and my continued commitment to creating opportunities and hope for the communities and people I serve.