Can you provide an overview of your project and how it aligns with SDG 17?
PUCUNS (UC Chile United Nations Society) fosters understanding of international relations, diplomacy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through education, simulations, and public engagement. Our initiatives, such as the Academy of International Relations, academic visits, and activities with international organizations and embassies, align with SDG 17 by creating partnerships with academia, private companies, embassies, and international organizations. These collaborations, along with the co-founding of Model UN Chile, bring diplomacy closer to students and society across Chile, Latin America, and the Caribbean, fostering a deeper understanding of dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution, and diplomatic work.
We advance SDG 4 by providing accessible, high-impact programs on diplomacy and global governance, ensuring inclusivity for underrepresented groups. Our outreach to vulnerable and migrant youth supports SDG 10 by promoting equitable participation in our activities. Additionally, our focus on fostering dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution directly contributes to SDG 16.
Through these efforts, PUCUNS empowers young leaders to address global challenges, achieve sustainable solutions, and strengthen education, equality, peace, and partnerships for a more inclusive and informed society.
How did your project foster partnerships and collaborations to achieve its objectives?
Our society fostered partnerships and collaborations by building a robust network of stakeholders, including universities, private companies, embassies, diplomatic missions, and international organizations. These alliances have been pivotal in achieving our objectives of promoting diplomacy, education, and sustainable development.
Through partnerships, we co-founded Model UN Chile, uniting academic institutions to simulate global diplomacy and address critical international challenges.
Collaborations with embassies, diplomatic missions, and international organizations enabled us to host impactful seminars and academic visits, offering participants real-world insights into diplomacy, international relations, and global governance. Partnerships with private companies also helped secure resources for programs like Coffee&MUN.
Our efforts have been recognized globally, with our work selected for the Millennium Fellowship cohorts. In 2023 ( Campus directors: Bernal & Ulloa), we developed PathFinders, an initiative helping young people across Chile discover their passions and contribute to their communities through education. In 2024 the cohort also developed initiatives with a wide impact.
These initiatives, combined with our seminars and visits to embassies and international organizations, demonstrate how our collaborations drive innovation and sustainable solutions, amplifying our capacity to promote dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution, and a deeper understanding of diplomacy in Chile and across Latin America.
Can you share examples of the key partnerships involved in your project and how they contributed to its success?
Our organization has been enriched by key partnerships that have been essential to its success, from professors to diplomats and university to private companies.
We collaborated with embassies such as Indonesia, Turkey, Germany, and Austria in Chile, providing participants with invaluable opportunities to engage directly with diplomats and gain real-world insights into international relations. These partnerships enriched events and activities, promoting a deeper understanding of global challenges and solutions.
Through the Coffee & MUN initiative, we partnered with local bookstores, cafés, and embassies to create an innovative space for informal dialogue on diplomacy and the Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative brought together students, academics, and diplomats in a casual setting, fostering interactive discussions on pressing global issues.
We also worked closely with various faculties at UC Chile, combining expertise from different disciplines to strengthen the quality and impact of our programs.
Additionally, our selection for the Millennium Fellowship cohorts in 2023 and 2024 highlighted the success of our collaborative efforts.
These partnerships have been instrumental in amplifying our impact, providing resources, and fostering dialogue, ensuring the promotion of education, peaceful conflict resolution, and diplomacy both in Chile and beyond.
What challenges did you face in building partnerships for your project, and how did you overcome them?
I personally faced many challenges, from a lack of support to questioning whether to start and continue the initiative. Many times, people I believed could contribute or help offered only destructive criticism. That was the first hurdle. However, after overcoming those difficulties, I found people who have supported, taught, and continue to stand by me.
From a practical perspective, learning more about diplomatic protocol and organizing large-scale events was always a challenge. I faced situations that taught me invaluable lessons, all based on experience—navigating uncomfortable moments, ensuring sufficient preparation time to negotiate agreements, and executing activities smoothly. An agreement isn’t just about carrying out an event; it’s about maintaining partnerships and support for future endeavors. Only by sustaining these connections can we achieve alliances that foster sustainable development.
These experiences over the years have helped me grow, learn, and progress. Their importance lies in the fact that they have enabled me to forge deeper connections and go further, reaching and supporting more young people across Chile, including in remote regions.
One recurring issue is financing, as many of my organization’s initiatives require continuous and sustainable funding. Tackling this challenge has driven me to come up with innovative solutions alongside my team, including hosting negotiation roundtables with private entities, companies, and other initiatives.
In the end, challenges are what make us grow and strengthen us. On January 20, 2025, PUCUNS will celebrate its fifth anniversary, marking a significant milestone as we establish it as an exemplary organization in Chile and Latin America.
Did your project leverage any technology or innovative approaches to facilitate partnerships for sustainable development?
PUCUNS has effectively leveraged technology and innovative approaches to facilitate partnerships for sustainable development. We utilized digital platforms, such as video conferencing, collaborative workspaces, and social media, to connect with stakeholders, including universities, private companies, embassies, and international organizations. These platforms enabled us to foster dialogue, coordinate events, and build relationships across geographical boundaries.
In addition to digital solutions, we incorporated interactive and accessible tools like virtual simulations and online workshops to engage participants in diplomacy and international relations. These approaches expanded our outreach, ensuring inclusivity and allowing participants from diverse regions, including remote areas, to benefit from our programs.
A success story is our partnership with SONU Brasil, in which we met Brazilian and chilean youth to discuss with academics the important role of youth facing COP30 in 2025.
These efforts have ensured that our mission to promote education, dialogue, and diplomacy reaches diverse communities while fostering long-term collaborations.
How did you measure the success of your project in terms of partnership building and collaboration?
We measured the success of our organization in partnership building and collaboration through several key indicators:
First, diversity of Partnerships: The number and variety of partnerships established across sectors, including academia, embassies, private companies, and civil society organizations, highlighted our ability to engage diverse stakeholders. For example, collaborations with embassies like Indonesia, Germany, and Austria, and partnerships with local stores through initiatives like Coffee&MUN, or talks, demonstrated the breadth of our network.
Secondly, the participation and Engagement: The active involvement of stakeholders in events such as MUNCh, internal simulations, and roundtable discussions served as a metric for successful collaboration. Attendance rates, feedback surveys, and the quality of interactions were evaluated to ensure meaningful engagement. This ensured us to growth from 50 members in early 2023 to 200 in late 2024.
Third, sustainability of Partnerships: We tracked the continuation of partnerships beyond single events by measuring follow-up activities, recurring collaborations, and support for new initiatives. This was particularly evident in long-term relationships with diplomatic missions and faculty partnerships within UC Chile.
last but not least, impact on Community: The extent to which partnerships contributed to the reach and effectiveness of our initiatives, such as expanding access to educational programs and strengthening youth participation in diplomacy, was assessed.
By combining quantitative data, such as the number of partnerships and events, with qualitative feedback from stakeholders, we ensured a comprehensive evaluation of our success in fostering collaboration and building sustainable networks.
What role did communication and networking play in establishing and maintaining partnerships throughout your project?
Communication and networking played a pivotal role in both establishing and maintaining partnerships throughout our project. Clear, consistent, and tailored communication was essential to build trust and mutual understanding with stakeholders across sectors, including embassies, academic institutions, private organizations, and civil society groups.
We utilized various channels, such as formal meetings, emails, and informal events like Coffee&MUN, to initiate connections and foster dialogue. Networking events, academic visits, and participation in international MUN conferences further allowed us to showcase our mission and create meaningful relationships.
To maintain partnerships, we prioritized transparency and regular updates on ongoing initiatives, ensuring partners were actively involved in planning, decision-making, and execution. Personalized approaches, such as follow-up meetings and feedback sessions, strengthened these connections, creating long-term collaborations. For example, our partnerships with embassies and our continued work with various faculties of UC Chile, were sustained through consistent engagement and shared goals.
Effective communication and networking not only helped us establishing these partnerships but also ensured they evolved into lasting alliances, supporting our broader mission of promoting education, diplomacy, and sustainable development.
Did your project involve partnerships across sectors (e.g., government, private sector, civil society)? If so, how were these partnerships coordinated?
Yes, PUCUNS involved (keep involving) partnerships across sectors, including government, private companies, and civil society, all working together toward shared objectives. These collaborations were coordinated through strategic planning, inclusive decision-making, and ongoing communication to align efforts effectively.
In the government sector, we established connections with institutions to support educational initiatives and provide expertise on international relations. In the private sector, partnerships with companies enabled us to secure resources and logistical support for events and programs, enhancing their impact and reach. Within civil society, we worked closely with universities, NGOs, and community organizations to engage a diverse range of participants and foster collective action.
Coordination was achieved through structured collaboration frameworks, such as organizing roundtables, signing agreements, and holding periodic meetings to evaluate progress and adapt strategies. This approach ensured that each partner had a clear role and contributed meaningfully to the project’s success, creating a network of sustainable and impactful relationships.
How did you engage stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to ensure their active participation in partnerships?
Engaging stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle depends on the specific group we are working with, but it generally involves a collaborative approach. We focus on building the project together from the start, ensuring clear and open communication to keep everyone aligned and informed. Each person has a defined role within the team, which helps streamline efforts and avoid confusion. Regular check-ins and updates maintain a close connection, allowing us to address any concerns or adapt as needed. By fostering a sense of shared ownership and emphasizing collaboration, we ensure that all participants remain actively involved and committed to the success of the partnership.
Reflecting on your project, what lessons have you learned about fostering partnerships for sustainable development, and how do you plan to apply them in future endeavors?
Reflecting on my project, I have learned the importance of speaking in plural and recognizing that an organization exists for the common good of society. It is our organization, built together with my collaborators, and its strength lies in collective effort. A crucial aspect of this has been the creation of a loyal, strong, and committed team focused on driving long-term change rather than personal gains. A team with shared values and a unified purpose is essential for achieving sustainable impact.
I have also understood the value of staying close to the people and causes we serve, remaining true to our core values, and never straying from what we believe in. Another vital lesson is the power of persistence to resist and never give up. Even when one door closes, I have learned to keep pushing forward with even greater determination. Success requires resilience, hard work, and the understanding that nothing worth achieving comes easily.
Additionally, I have realized the importance of maintaining clear and close communication with institutions and individuals who can support the multiple projects we undertake. Building mutually beneficial relationships, where all parties can get visibility and strength, is key to fostering sustainable partnerships and ensuring long-term impact.
I plan to apply these lessons in future endeavors by continuing to build and nurture great teams committed to long-term, meaningful change. I will focus on fostering an environment where shared values and collective goals are prioritized, ensuring that any project I lead is grounded in a sense of shared purpose and sustainability.
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