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My experience as a rapporteur at Her Turn Harvest *
* free of ChatGPT
It was our turn to demand action - and it will be HERS to deliver
Monday, June 8th, 2026 - 10am - Geneva Graduate Institute
It was 10 a.m. on a Monday morning, marking the end of what had been, for me, a fast-paced, demanding, and deeply enriching semester studying international relations in Geneva. And yet, I could not have been more excited to be there – to be part of GWL Voices’ Her Turn Harvest initiative. In the weeks leading up to the event, our online preparatory sessions had fueled my anticipation to meet and collaborate in person with so many proactive, hopeful, and incredibly smart young leaders. The atmosphere in the room confirmed it: together, we would create something meaningful, forward-looking, and powerful. And as it turned out, I was right.
After a round of inspiring and encouraging opening remarks, we dove straight into the substance. We discussed issues that are both close to our hearts and at the center of numerous multilateral negotiations. Questions revolving around climate change and development, peace and security, justice and equality as well as human rights guided our debates. But we were not only debating, arguing and sharing experiences. Her Turn Harvest actually gave us, as young “UN nerds”, the opportunity to distill and translate our perspectives into fact-based, actionable recommendations – culminating in the HER TURN Decalogue for the Next United Nations Secretary-General.
What impressed me most was not only the high quality and speed with which we developed the ten recommendations, but also the mutual inspiration, encouragement, and energy among participants – something that filled me with pride.
And it was with that same energy that we prepared for the next big moment: The Debate.
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 - 3pm - The Debate
Leaving Monday’s workshop with a deep and distinct sense of having co-created a document of substance and significance, I entered debate day with confidence and a strong desire to listen closely to the UNSG candidates’ responses to our questions about their vision for the world’s future. I saw the debate as a global conversation about the kind of leadership the world needs for the months and years ahead. Who do WE, THE PEOPLE, want as our global mediator and most powerful facilitator of peace? Who is the most experienced, thoughtful, capable and boldest WOMAN for the job?
While these questions - and the statements made during the debate - continue to resonate with me, the day was also incredibly precious from an interpersonal perspective.
Thanks to the warmth and genuine interest in sharing and passing on their experiences, the present members of GWL Voices turned the day into the most meaningful intergenerational and international gathering of young, proactive and hopeful leaders I ever experienced - young not only by age, but in spirit. I am beyond grateful for the wonderful community that I am now privileged enough to be a part of.
Finally, if I had to narrow it down to one thing, the Her Turn Harvest initiative reaffirmed in me the belief that when we bring together caring, future-oriented people, that when we stay informed, keep speaking up and continue showing up, we will be heard and we will make a difference.
It is our turn now!