Rappler’s Bea Cupin joins FES New York’s 2026 Fall Academy program

Detailed summary

The flagship program brings together a diverse group of young professions from all over the world

FALL ACADEMY 2026. Participants of FES NY's flagship programme pose for a photo outside the United Nations headquarters in New York.

NEW YORK, USA — Rappler senior reporter Bea Cupin is one of 14 participants in Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) New York’s 2026 Fall Academy.

The Fall Academy is FES New York’s flagship capacity-building program designed for “emerging political changemakers.” The week-long program saw participants in exchanges with United Nations diplomats, officials, advocates, and experts from think tanks and non-governmental organization.

Bea, who covers foreign affairs and defense, joined a diverse group of young professionals selected from FES’ global network. She is one of three participants from Asia in a cohort of 14.

The 2026 edition of the program is backdropped by challenges to and opportunities for the UN and multilateralism — increased great power competition, and middle powers’ try for a larger role in the international, and the deadline to elect a new Secretary-General. There are shifts, too, in the country that hosts the UN headquarters — just days prior to the start of the program, the United States saw a blue wave in its midterm elections.

It’s a UN that must find its role in a world in turmoil — the most wars and conflicts since World War II, the continuing threat of climate change, and calls for global governance on artificial intelligence, among others.

The Fall Academy is held annually. The last time Filipinos were elected for the program was in the 2022 edition, the first after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. – Rappler.com

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