Behind the Scenes at the United Nations
When TFS received the rare invitation for students to step behind the scenes at the United Nations, we knew it was an opportunity not to miss. Thanks to the reach of the TFS network in both Canadian and French diplomacy, 16 students with an interest in diplomacy and global politics travelled to New York for a one-day visit that offered access few students ever receive.
The visit was made possible thanks to Tudor Alexis, a French diplomat at the UN and former Consul General of France in Toronto, who helped organize this extraordinary opportunity. Students also benefited from a visit led by Sarah Simoneau at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN, who provided valuable insights into Canada’s work on the international stage.
They helped open doors usually reserved for official delegations. Students began with a guided tour, but the day quickly went far beyond the usual visitor experience. They were brought into areas not open to the public, including the Security Council chamber, where they listened as delegates of Poland and Norway discussed the latest developments in Ukraine. Seeing the UN at work gave our students a sense of how global decisions are made and the chance to witness a critical moment in history.
Throughout the day, students met with diplomats who shared insights about their roles and current issues like threats to democracy. Notable members included Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, the Honourable Lametti, Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and previously Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, along with other members of the French delegation and representatives from Canada. These conversations offered students a glimpse into the realities of diplomatic work. Bonnafont emphasized that the words of the UN Charter are more important than ever because they provide an essential, aspirational guidepost for collective action in an era of complex, transnational challenges. Its core principles serve as a timeless moral and legal framework for navigating modern crises, from large-scale conflicts to human rights abuses.
“It was an exceptional opportunity for our students, made possible because of the strong relationships TFS has built over many years,” said Aurélie Lossouarn, Executive Director of Citizenship and Global Education. “Experiences like this simply don’t happen without a network that believes in our mission and wants to support our students.”
For our students, the experience tied their learning directly to what they saw. The discussions, procedures and negotiations they practice in the classroom suddenly had real-world context. A key takeaway was the critical importance of being able to come to a consensus.
“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we continue to believe in and support multilateralism,” said Jean-Bastien Urfels, Principal of the Senior School and Deputy Head of School. “Nations have the responsibility to work together to build consensus and find common ground. That’s a hugely important lesson that our students took away from this visit.”
“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we continue to believe in and support multilateralism,” said Jean-Bastien Urfels, Principal of the Senior School and Deputy Head of School. “Nations have the responsibility to work together to build consensus and find common ground. That’s a hugely important lesson that our students took away from this visit.”
For a community like ours – international and globally minded – it’s essential that students understand the world around them and how transnational cooperation works. This visit underscored that goal and highlighted how the TFS network continues to create meaningful learning opportunities and open doors.
All in one remarkable day in New York, made possible by the strength of our community connections.
