Small Steps For Big Impacts, This Is The Spirit Of Zero Waste Among Young People

Illustration of the spirit of a sustainable lifestyle. (doc. HighScope Model United Nations 2025)

JAKARTA - In the midst of a world that feels increasingly changing, today's young people are not only busy with digital trends and fast lifestyles. There is a new spirit that grows, namely the desire to participate in building a more peaceful, sustainable, and empathetic future.

That spirit felt strong at the 2025 HighScope Model United Nations (HSMUN) event, a prestigious conference that brought together hundreds of high school students from all over Indonesia.

This year, HSMUN carries the theme 'Resilient Diplomacy: Global Responsibility in the Uncertain Future.' Not just a cool slogan, but a real invitation for the younger generation to dare to think big and take real action.

"We are future world leaders candidates, and therefore, the responsibility to improve the world rests with us all," said Abhimanyu Satyo Hutomo, Secretary General of HSMUN 2025 in his remarks, from the official statement of the HighScope Model United Nations.

Imagine an energy-filled atmosphere in the hall of the Indonesian HighScope TB Simatupang School. Hundreds of students discussed exciting, diplomatically like representatives of the state at the United Nations. That is the atmosphere of HSMUN, namely a place to exchange ideas, concern, and ambition to meet in one room.

This event was first held in 2008, and now in its 17th year, HSMUN has grown to become one of the most prestigious high school-level Model United Nations conferences in Indonesia.

In 2025, there will be 204 delegates from 39 schools who are ready to compete with ideas in eight different councils. Starting from ASEAN discussing ecotourism, ILO which raises the issue of child labor, to UN Women which highlights the legality of sex workers.

Negara itu adalah konsep yang abstract. Personicikasinya datang dari kita adalah manusia. Karena itu, empati menjadi hal yang sangat penting, tutur Aloysius Selwas Taborot, pendampingan Hukum dan Koordinator Bidang Politik Hukum Internasional Kementerian Luar Negeri RI.

In each committee session, the participants did not just argue. They learn to understand the point of view of other countries, formulate arguments, and find solutions together.

Here the value of empathy is tested. Not infrequently, participants must defend opinions that are contrary to their personal views, experiences that open up insight into the true meaning of tolerance and cooperation.

At the end of the conference, the delegates will present the resolutions they have formulated together. This moment is the culmination of the whole learning process, where critical thinking, communication and leadership are really being tested.

The interest of HSMUN this year also strengthens its commitment to sustainability through the Zero-Waste Initiative program. All participants are invited to reduce the use of single-use plastic and be more aware of the environmental impact of each activity.

"Large changes always start from small steps. Simple things such as rejecting single-use plastic are a form of our responsibility as citizens of the world," said Eva Tantri Mahastri, Principal of HighScope Indonesia TB Simatupang.

For the participants, HSMUN is not just an academic event. This is a life experience. Where they learn about the world, build relationships and find their own voices as part of the global community.

Behind all formal sessions and intense debates, there is the same spirit, namely the desire to do good, lead with empathy, and create a more sustainable future.

"This topic feels very relevant in the midst of a world that sometimes feels dark. But from there, we learn that hope can grow from anyone, even from classrooms." added Abhimanyu.

In the end, the 2025 HighScope Model United Nations is not just a simulation of diplomacy. HSMUN is a stage for the younger generation to understand the meaning of global responsibility, as well as prove that social awareness can look cool, classy, and inspiring.