As former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, once said, “You are never too young to lead, and you should never doubt your capacity to triumph where others have not.” I can tell you from firsthand experience, that Kofi is right in his assessment regarding youth and leadership. Especially if you had visited the Florida Model United Nations summit in Gainesville this past weekend like I did. While in attendance at this annual summit, I was thoroughly impressed by the impeccable leadership capabilities and astounding intellect that the very youthful attendees had. I was also flabbergasted by my own leadership abilities that seemingly developed over the course of this past weekend. All in all, it was not a bad experience.

Furthermore, at a typical Model United Nations summit, Florida is no exception, students represent a country currently in the United Nations. As a representative of that country, the student will research topics (provided by the conference) from the vantage point of the state being represented in a specific committee – these include the General Assembly, Security Council, World Health Organization, World Food Program, and Joint Crisis Committee. During the committee sessions at the conference; debate between the states is held on the topics, the countries then collaborate and write resolutions attempting to solve the issue at hand. One of the key phrases used during preparation and during conferences is "stay in character.” Representing other states than your own sometimes requires advocating viewpoints other than your own. Preparation is the key to staying in character.

Additionally, I have just previously mentioned that I was thoroughly impressed by the leadership capabilities that many of these students, mostly college-aged, had possessed. To think that I was in the presence of individuals – including my fellow compatriots from Florida Southern who went to the summit with me –who possessed extensive knowledge in the realm of foreign affairs and international politics. In a way, it was quite overwhelming at times. Not to mention intimidating. To think that many of today’s youth could possess the level of awareness and diplomatic zeal that these students had – so much so that they could write out detailed policy resolutions to solve issues such as world hunger and eliminating HIV – was beyond remarkable. In a way, it did rub off on me a bit.

To continue, I did make the declaration that I did discover my own leadership abilities while in attendance at the Florida Model United Nations summit. Not only did I hobnob with my fellow “diplomats” at the summit, but I did something that I thought that I would never do while there: I ran for Secretary-General of the United Nations. Just like in the real United Nations, the position of the Secretary General is a very prestigious position that relatively few people seldom run for on a whim. However, I guess in the spirit of the summit, since I was in the midst of several like-minded peers – who were supplying me with encouragement during the entirety of my campaign for SG – and since this was a once in a lifetime opening, I dove for the opportunity. Unfortunately, I did not attain the position of Secretary General, I did take note what occurred during the campaign and will commit those lessons learned to memory.

To wrap up, even though this article is shorter than most I typically write, I honestly, could keep talking about this event much more in depth than what I currently am. But the broad generalities, though they don’t do justice trying to describe the wonderful experiences that I had, do suffice to some degree. All in all the 11^th Annual Florida Model United Nations summit in Gainesville was definitely an eye opener for me. I was able to congregate and delegate with several bright, likeminded peers from all over the state to discuss the pressing foreign issues in our world today. I also took bold new steps that I never thought that I would and, in the process of doing so, learned some new things about leadership and myself as well. Kofi Annan would probably be proud knowing this and that his declaration of youthful leadership is still holding up by today’s adolescence – or at least just those at the summit. I guess it just goes to show that “You are never too young to lead…” even at Florida’s premier diplomat training program.