"Feel first, sharpen the pencil, and commit to completing the puzzle"

This past weekend, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address for SASMUN VII, (my alma mater) Singapore American School 's Model United Nations conference. Although I couldn’t be there in person, it was an honour to share my reflections with the next generation of changemakers. My own journey in MUN was transformative—it shaped my ability to think critically about global challenges and set me on a path toward global governance. Through MUN, I learned firsthand the value of diplomacy, dialogue, and leadership in navigating complexity, lessons that continue to guide my work today.

It’s crucial that we encourage more young people to engage in MUN. It equips them with the tools to become thoughtful, empathetic leaders, ready to face the intricate realities of our interconnected world.

The recording of my remarks can be found here.

Good morning, esteemed delegates, chairs, faculty, and organizers.

My name is Sharmishta Sivaramakrishnan, I’m a Singaporean citizen who has lived and worked around the world, a member of the SAS Class of 2012, and President of the SAS Alumni City Club in Singapore. I would describe myself as a youth leader, a development economist, and a citizen of many worlds.

It’s an honor to be here today for the 7th edition of the SASMUN conference, and while I deeply wish I could be there in person to share this moment with you, I’m excited to join you virtually from my current base in Kigali, Rwanda, as we explore the theme of “Cooperation through Conflict, Forging the Future.” Being in Rwanda feels especially timely, as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwanda's journey from one of the darkest moments in human history to becoming a symbol of reconciliation and rebuilding is a powerful example of how cooperation can emerge from even the most profound conflicts. The country’s remarkable progress reminds us all that peace and unity are possible, even in the wake of deep division, and ties directly into the theme of this conference. It is also special to be joining you to kick off this conference as I began my own career in international affairs and development within the walls of the metaphorical MUN “classroom”.

This year, 2024, has been marked by significant global challenges that remind us just how critical cooperation is in today’s world as well as how the lack of it can result in cataclysmic consequences. From the continued war in Ukraine, which has led to untold suffering and geopolitical instability, to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilians are undergoing unimaginable hardship in the face of conflict, the need for international cooperation has never been more urgent. These situations, alongside climate disasters such as severe flooding in Southeast Asia, the worsening famine in the Horn of Africa, rising tensions over water rights in Central Asia, the political instability following contested elections in Venezuela, and the surge in deforestation linked to illegal mining in the Amazon, illustrate the necessity for global actors to come together.

This urgency for cooperation was further underscored by the UN’s Summit of the Future just last week, where world leaders gathered to discuss and reimagine the global governance framework to better address these interconnected crises and evaluate progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Summit reinforced the importance of collective action in solving today's most pressing challenges, including climate change, inequality, and conflict, while ensuring that global institutions are fit for purpose in our evolving world. The outcomes of this summit reflect a critical recognition: without cooperation, the future we are trying to forge could be compromised.

We also continue to witness the economic and health impacts of the climate crisis, with countries racing to meet emissions targets amid catastrophic wildfires in southern Europe and Australia. In these crises—whether they arise from human conflict or natural disasters—no single nation or organization can resolve them alone. The complex and interconnected nature of these challenges requires the involvement of multiple perspectives, sectors, and nations working in unison.

Before diving into my own journey, I want to share with you a quote that has shaped my view on international cooperation and conflict resolution. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said, “We need to keep hope alive and strive to do better.” This simple yet powerful statement serves as a reminder that no matter how intense the conflict, how seemingly insurmountable the challenges, there is always room for hope, for better solutions, and for cooperation. Mr. Annan’s words have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to inspire me as I navigate the realm of global governance and diplomacy.

Secretary-General Annan’s legacy reminds us that international cooperation is not a luxury, but a necessity, especially in today’s world. We live in a time where the challenges we face—climate change, global health crises, geopolitical tensions, and economic instability—transcend borders. No single country, no matter how powerful, can solve these problems alone. This is why cooperation is more important now than ever before. It is the bridge between conflict and progress, and it holds the key to forging a future where shared solutions can be found to common threats.

Allow me to share a bit about my journey. I am a proud Singaporean, raised across multiple continents—Middle East, North America, Europe, South, and Southeast Asia. These experiences shaped me into a kind of chameleon, adept at adjusting to diverse environments while remaining grounded in my roots. This global upbringing helped me cultivate a deep understanding of different cultures and viewpoints, which eventually led me to training as a development economist, and a career committed to strengthening public-private cooperation.

As an alumna of the Singapore American School, a former MUN disciple, and someone who has had the privilege of serving in organizations committed to the global public good, I deeply value the importance of platforms like Model United Nations. The space offered by MUN fosters not only the skills required in diplomacy but the mindset needed to navigate the complexities of our world.

Professionally, I have worked at the intersection of corporate strategy and public policy. My interests in healthcare, global governance, macroeconomics, and sustainable development have been a red thread throughout my career. I've been privileged to work in roles that helped businesses and leaders accelerate their strategies, design innovative public policies, and engage meaningfully with youth. Currently, I lead Global Operations for over 35 countries at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and prior to this, I worked as a management consultant at EY-Parthenon and served in the Government of Singapore. I’ve also had the opportunity to work at organizations like the World Economic Forum, the Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations.

Beyond my professional life, I am deeply passionate about youth engagement. I am an active youth leader in Singapore and overseas, such as being part of the #JobHacks youth panel, an Ambassador for the Singapore Leaders Network and as a Board Member for Caring for Cambodia. I fundamentally believe that engaging youth in global issues is essential to building a better future. The reality is that this sounds easier than it is but if we don’t exercise intentionality in building these types of spaces, we miss the point of cooperation in how it bridges diverse voices entirely.

My journey has taught me that conflict is inevitable—whether it’s in diplomacy, corporate boardrooms, or day-to-day interactions. What truly matters is how we choose to navigate and resolve conflict. In my time at the UN, I saw how nations and teams with vastly different priorities could find common ground, and that was often by focusing on shared goals, rather than differences. The key wasn’t to eliminate conflict but to manage it constructively, maintaining relationships and preserving trust, even when resolutions were not ideal for everyone.

Working in global governance also showed me how nuanced international affairs really are. Every decision is a balance between competing interests, diverse cultural values, and historical contexts. Cooperation is not just a matter of agreeing to work together—it involves deep negotiation, empathy, and sometimes, difficult compromises. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. This is why diplomacy is both challenging and incredibly rewarding: it forces us to confront the complexities of the world and find pathways that benefit as many as possible, while respecting the diversity that defines us.

As a third culture kid, I always felt like I straddled many worlds, which sometimes made it hard to define a true sense of home. Home, for me, has continued and will continue to be different cities. However, working in global governance and organizations like the UN gave me a profound sense of belonging. It was in those spaces that I realized diversity is not something to overcome, but something to embrace. The beauty of diplomacy is that it brings together individuals from all walks of life, all with unique stories and perspectives, working towards common solutions.

The theme of this conference, “Cooperation through Conflict,” is not just a lofty ideal; it is a reality that you will experience in your committees. Model UN gives you a glimpse of what it’s like to navigate the intricacies of conflict while striving for cooperation. You will debate, negotiate, and at times, you may even be at odds with others. But the true challenge is to find ways to work through conflict, to listen, to empathize, and to build partnerships despite differing views.

In my career, I have found that three principles are essential in turning conflict into cooperation:

1.???? Empathy: Understanding the perspectives of others is key to resolving conflict. Empathy doesn’t require agreement, but it requires the willingness to see the world from someone else’s point of view. Since feeling is first, as E.E. Cummings once wrote.

2.???? Adaptability: In diplomacy and in life, things rarely go as planned. The ability to adapt—to pivot when necessary and to innovate in the face of unexpected challenges—can make all the difference. Like a pencil that needs to break to be sharpened, sometimes conflict is necessary to refine our vision and move forward with greater clarity

3.???? Collaboration: Finding small, even incremental, opportunities for collaboration can lead to long-term partnerships. In my experience, the most successful global initiatives come from collaborations across sectors—governments, NGOs, and the private sector—working together despite differing priorities. Cross-sectoral cooperation is like solving a puzzle—each piece holds a unique shape and purpose, but only when they fit together can we see the full picture.

As you step into your committees, remember that your task is not just to argue and defend your country’s stance. It’s to learn how to navigate complex issues with these principles in mind. You are the future leaders, the entrepreneurs in diplomacy who will innovate and find creative ways to tackle global challenges. The way you choose to address conflict will impact the world around you.

In closing, I encourage you to keep Kofi Annan’s words close to heart: “We need to keep hope alive and strive to do better.” You are the diplomats and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. And with hope, empathy, and collaboration as your guiding principles, I have no doubt you will forge a future where cooperation triumphs over conflict, and where our collective efforts truly make the world a better place.

In short -? feel first, sharpen the pencil, and commit to completing the puzzle.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing about the incredible ideas and solutions you will develop in the days ahead.