Meet Daena Caitlyn Saputra

We recently connected with Daena Caitlyn Saputra and have shared our conversation below.

Daena , sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

Overcoming challenges related to mental health has been a significant part of my journey, shaping who I am today. When I was younger, I struggled with feelings of purposelessness and isolation, which culminated in a near-fatal attempt on my life at the age of 13. Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), I often felt like I didn’t belong anywhere.

However, my life took a transformative turn when I joined Model United Nations (MUN).
MUN introduced me to a vibrant community where I found support and encouragement. Engaging in public speaking not only helped me build the confidence I needed to interact with others but also ignited my passion for discussing global issues. Through this supportive network, I learned to channel my struggles into developing skills that would later open opportunities for me.

As I immersed myself in MUN, I honed my public speaking abilities and participated in competitions that led to recognition from prestigious universities such as Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Indonesia. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged somewhere. These experiences not only boosted my self-esteem but also provided invaluable networking opportunities. For instance, I became a United Nations Global Compact Youth Ambassador, representing Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. In this role, I raised public awareness about environmental issues and engaged with local communities.

Currently, I lead an organization called the Global Diplomat Society, which aims to help individuals discover their passions and find the same sense of community that transformed my life. My mission is to create accessible opportunities for others interested in international relations and diplomacy. Additionally, I am a firm advocate for women’s rights and mental health awareness, working to destigmatize mental health issues within my community!

For anyone facing similar challenges, my advice is to seek out supportive communities and engage in activities that ignite your passion. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can make a significant difference in your mental health journey. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help and that your experiences can be powerful catalysts for change—not just in your life but also in the lives of others.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am Daena, the founder of the Global Diplomat Society (GDS), where I lead an international online platform dedicated to help individuals excel in Model United Nations (MUN). Our vibrant community consists of over 500 members from around the world, united by a shared passion for diplomacy and global issues. My journey in this field began with a desire to empower young leaders and help them engage with pressing international challenges.

The inspiration behind starting GDS was to create a supportive community where individuals can ignite their passion for international relations. Many people are interested in this field but often feel unsure about where to begin. MUN serves as an excellent entry point, allowing participants to interact with experts through guest speaker sessions and networking opportunities. By encouraging individuals to join our platform and providing educational resources, I aim to help them gain recognition from universities, access new opportunities, and enjoy the process of learning.

What excites me most about my work is the chance to facilitate growth and learning among aspiring diplomats. We conduct a variety of educational initiatives, including seminars, workshops, and personalized tutoring sessions. These programs have reached over 5,000 individuals globally, creating an inclusive environment where participants can develop essential skills such as public speaking, negotiation, and critical thinking. Connecting with such a diverse group enriches not only their experiences but also broadens my understanding of different perspectives and cultures. To date, I have personally taught over 1,500 individuals about MUN and public speaking, empowering them to become active contributors to their communities.

In addition to our educational focus, GDS is deeply committed to social responsibility. Recently, we raised over $600 for a refugee shelter in Indonesia by selling stickers. This initiative reflects our dedication to making a positive impact beyond our immediate community and serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to address global challenges.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, I believe that three qualities have been particularly impactful: grit, adaptability, and confidence.

Grit is essential; it embodies the perseverance and determination needed to pursue long-term goals. Short-term efforts may yield quick results, but it is the sustained commitment to overcoming challenges that truly leads to success. Developing grit means embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and maintaining focus on your objectives, even when the path becomes difficult. So my advice would be to change your perspective on failure, because if you tried you didn’t fail.

Adaptability has also played a crucial role in my journey. The ability to adjust to different situations and environments has enabled me to effectively network and engage with diverse cultures. In today’s fast-paced world, being adaptable allows you to navigate change with ease and seize opportunities as they arise. To cultivate this skill, I recommend stepping outside your comfort zone regularly whether through travel, new experiences, or meeting people from different backgrounds. Each encounter will enhance your ability to adapt and thrive in varied contexts.

Lastly, confidence is fundamental to taking action. Believing in yourself empowers you to step forward and seize opportunities that might otherwise seem daunting. I often embrace the mindset of “fake it till you make it,” which encourages me to project confidence even when I may not feel it fully. To build confidence, start by setting small, achievable goals that allow you to experience success. Celebrate those victories, no matter how minor they may seem, as they will reinforce your belief in your abilities.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

As someone deeply passionate about diplomacy and committed to majoring in international relations, I am focused on making opportunities more accessible, particularly in the realm of international relations. I believe that many individuals, especially within my community, are eager to make a global impact through diplomacy but often find themselves limited by financial constraints when it comes to participating in competitions like Model United Nations (MUN).

To address this issue, I aspire to collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide funding and resources that enable aspiring diplomats to enter such competitions. By doing so, we can help individuals discover their niche interests and foster their passion for international relations. I have witnessed firsthand how transformative these experiences can be for young people who feel lost or uncertain about their future paths!

Moreover, I am particularly interested in enhancing youth opportunities within the field. Many programs and initiatives tend to focus on individuals aged 18 and older, often overlooking younger students who are equally passionate and eager to learn. When I was younger, I had the time and enthusiasm to engage with mentors, but those opportunities were not readily available. Therefore, I aim to collaborate with large organizations like the United Nations (UN) or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to create programs specifically targeting younger audiences. These initiatives would provide mentorship, resources, and platforms for youth to explore their interests in diplomacy and international relations.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: globaldiplomatsociety
• Other: Tiktok: globaldiplomatsociety