On Arbor Day (April 24), the Moses Brown Upper School gathered in the Woodman Center for a powerful assembly featuring veteran UN diplomat Hyun Kim ’97 P'36 ‘36. Hyun serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the UN's Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM).

He has been incredibly generous with his time at MB, sharing his expertise with the Model UN group and mentoring several students through impactful real-world experiences. Under his guidance, students have even traveled to UN Headquarters in New York City to observe and assist in the vital work he and his colleagues undertake.

During the session, Hyun shared insights from his work in global climate action and discussed the complexities of multilateral diplomacy, inspiring the next generation of global citizens to engage with international policy.

When asked how he stays hopeful in 2026, Hyun’s message was clear: "I approach it from the sense of choice... hope is a choice found in action and empowering communities to protect their future."

Two seniors, Josselyn W. and Constance S., have taken leadership roles through their involvement with the GCCM. Josselyn encouraged her peers to find their own path toward advocacy: “There are so many ways to get involved, and the climate crisis is the movement of our generation. Whatever field you are going into, there is a way to serve the public good, and we really encourage you to think of creative collaborations.”

Other student mentees participating in the panel included David I. ‘27, Samantha M. ‘27, and Abdullah B. ‘28. The forum was introduced by the Upper School Environmental Council (EC), which works to raise environmental awareness and foster a greener campus.

Thank you, Hyun, for inspiring the next generation of MB changemakers.