Enviro News Asia, New York — Columbia University in New York, United States, annually hosts the Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exhibition (CMUNCE), an academic forum that simulates various United Nations deliberative bodies as a learning platform for high school students from around the world.
The CMUNCE 2026 conference took place from 11 to 23 January 2026 and brought together participants from 40 countries. Indonesia was represented by 14 students from Labschool Cibubur Senior High School, Jakarta, who joined peers from across the globe in a series of simulated UN sessions.
During the conference, Indonesian students participated as delegates in several forums, including the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), where they debated global economic challenges, and the United Nations Specialized General Assembly, a special session of the UN General Assembly focused on selected thematic issues. Delegates also discussed progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted in 2015 and are scheduled for completion by 2030.
One Indonesian participant took on the role of Beyoncé, highlighting the contribution of global public figures to United Nations humanitarian initiatives, including programmes supporting access to clean water.
On 21 January 2026, the Indonesian delegation visited the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, D.C., where the students expressed their enthusiasm for participating in an international forum and interacting with fellow students from 40 countries. Many of them also conveyed their interest in pursuing higher education in the United States.
Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Indroyono Soesilo, welcomed the students’ aspirations and outlined the GARUDA scholarship programme initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. The programme aims to select outstanding Indonesian high school graduates to pursue overseas studies on full scholarships, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
The ambassador noted that the programme presents a significant opportunity for Indonesian students, including those from Labschool Cibubur, to continue their education at leading universities in the United States while contributing to Indonesia’s future human capital development. (*)
