I have a confession: I love birthdays. For as long as I can remember, I have been celebrating the birthdays, birthday eves, birthday weeks and birthday months of friends and family—whether they want me to or not. While this birthday affinity does stem from a love of cake and balloons, it also stems from a deep-seated belief that things of value should be celebrated often, so we can remember how precious they are. Today, on the 72nd anniversary of the ratification of the United Nations Charter, this sentiment remains: the international community has built a framework that is precious and should be celebrated.

UN Day, observed in all 193 Member States, is a reminder of what we can accomplish together. An increase in literacy, life expectancy, gender equality and food security exist alongside a decrease in communicable diseases, rural poverty and unsafe drinking water. The Trusteeship Council stewarded 11 dependent territories to independence; the United Nations Security Council had mandated 71 peacekeeping operations, with 15 currently active. Committees examine the role of men and boys in countering gender violence and indigenous peoples are given a voice through the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

There have been road blocks along the way; any diplomat will tell you that diplomacy is messy and, from time to time, it does not work. But by having a space in which to dialogue about issues facing some or all Member States, the United Nations continues to advance peace, security and prosperity for global citizens.

Alongside the celebration of the United Nations is the celebration of what we all do: simulating the real-life experience to better ourselves and our community in so many ways. Model UN challenges us to explore issues from new perspectives, to learn about places we’ve maybe never heard of, and to be thoughtful in our approach to topics and to others.

Model UN lets each of us learn to be an advocate for positive change worldwide on a host of issues and challenges. But most of all it teaches us the value of hope, that through discourse and patience we can leave a better tomorrow for all of us. I hope that your experiences at the upcoming AMUN conference will serve to reenforce that not all difficulties are insurmountable and that we’re stronger together than we ever are apart. More than anything, I hope as you celebrate UN Day, you’ll remember the promise of the UN, and know that it’s worth celebrating.