UNIC Windhoek in preparation for the 1st Model UN (MUN) Namibia Conference held a two-day workshop at the Goethe Centre in Windhoek. The workshop covered the basics of grasping the technical skills required to write resolutions as well as a practical approach to lobbying. The workshop took place during the school holiday, nonetheless, students attended to sharpen their resolution writing skills. At the same time, it was a good platform for students from different schools to mix and mingle and share interest with like-minded individuals interested in international relations.

The first day-covered: resolution writing, formulation and structuring of clauses, and following the correct format. It also included some practical tips on lobbying for support on a resolution. On day two, the students were expected to draft resolutions and formulate amendments. They also focused on how to debate for a draft resolution. The workshop was well attended and enjoyed by all the participants.  It proved to be a crucial exercise to equip the students to participate and engage fully in the final conference. The students expressed thanks to the UNIC for hosting the workshop.

Students at the SAIIA Volunteer Programme launch

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) invited UNIC Pretoria to participate in Volunteer Training Workshop in order to promote Model United Nations debating among university students and inculcate a culture of volunteerism among the student population in Johannesburg.

The 39 students in attendance were from various disciplines at the Universities of the Witwatersrand and the University of Johannesburg and all were interested in finding out more about getting involved in youth programmes and working with the United Nations.

UNIC National Information Officer Sudeshan Reddy briefed the students on the work of UNIC in promoting and organizing Model UN debates throughout South Africa at both high schools and universities. He also spoke of the various programmes that UNIC is involved in at a national and provincial level while elaborating on the role of university students in these initiatives. In his 15 minute address, the NIO spoke of the Global Model UN while highlighting ways in which students can engage with the UN including internships, organizing Model UN debates in schools and then tutoring the high school pupils as well as promoting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

During the discussion period, informed questions were posed and issues raised on a range of topics including UN reform, efforts to meet the MDGs and expanding Model UN programmes. Information materials prepared by the UNIC interns were disseminated among the students who were particularly interested in the MDG 2010 report and the Africa Renewal magazine.

Through its partnership with the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre, UNIC arranged for a representative of the Ann Frank Museum in Amsterdam, Aaron Peterer, to address the students on their educational outreach programmes and to discuss best practices on the issues of human rights education for young people in particular.

It was useful for 2011 to begin with a strengthening of the long-standing partnership between SAIIA and UNIC as the workshop brought forward practical and useful ideas on youth participation.

Rajiv Chandran addresses the Model UN participants

The Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) in New Delhi organized a Model UN Conference from 21 to 23 January, which saw more than 100 delegates from various universities from across India participating in three Committees - the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Commission on the Status of Women.

Addressing the delegates during the opening ceremony, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) New Delhi National Information Officer Rajiv Chandran said that the Model UN Conference was an exercise in learning as well as unlearning and was particularly relevant at a time when India was making impressive gains in the economic sphere but still had to contend with a host of development and inequality-related challenges.

Model UN participants

The Middle School Model United Nations (MSMUN) held its 17th annual session from 19 to 21 January 2011 at the UN Complex in Nairobi. The conference brought together over 800 delegates from 34 schools from Kenya and different countries in Africa. 

The conference was officially opened by His Excellency Ambassador George Kayonga, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to UNEP and UN-HABITAT, who spoke to the delegates about his life and his rise from being a refugee in Uganda to becoming the Ambassador for Rwanda. Ambassador Kayonga spoke of the great emphasis the United Nations is putting on youth development and how Model UN provides a “critical connect” between the UN and youth.

During the three days, delegates lobbied and debated resolutions in four committees, namely: Human Rights, Ecology and Environment, Health and Technology and the Security Council. Also throughout the conference, the press corps, made up entirely of students, covered the days’ events and reported them in the “Daily Informer” the MUN’s news publication.

The MSMUN came to a close on a high note with the press corps screening a retrospective video of delegates caught in action through the course of the week. Later that evening, delegates attended a closing dance.

Among all the MUN held in Kenya, the MSMUN is represented by the youngest delegates, aged between 11 and 14 years.