HYDERABAD: Model United Nations (MUN) has emerged to become an intellectually invigorating, enthralling experience for students all around the world, and the students of Oakridge International School have certainly taken a profound liking to this unique form of debate and discussion.
To give students a feel of what it is to be a part of the discussion at UN General Assembly, Oakridge International School organised MUN recently. The entry for the three-day event was kept open for the students of Class IX and X. Students from various schools in the city like International School of Hyderabad, Chirec Public School, Indus International School, Glendale Academy, Geetanjali Senior School also participating in the MUN.
Explaining the concept behind the event, Mohseena Hussain, MUN adviser at Oakridge says, “The event is completely student-led where they are divided into chairpersons and delegates. The 70 delegates represent various countries.
They are divided into nine communities where every community is given different agenda to discuss on.” Among the topics discussed were poverty,
privatisation of wars and drug trafficking. “The topics for the MUN are selected according to the current happenings in the world,” Mohseena adds.
At the discussion, the delegates clad in formals, placed their views on the topics and presented solutions to them. Topics like problems faced by lack of infrastructure, water, education, knowledge, opportunity, underutilisation of natural resources and the methods that can be used to improve the quality of living were discussed at the MUN.
Discussion on the assigned agenda will go on till Sunday and the committee will come up with a solution on the last day of MUN. Manam Sanghavi of Geetanjali Senior School, a delegate representing Brazil said that he participated in the event to increase his knowledge on world affairs. “I like being up to date on the current happenings in the world and like to express my views on them. At the same time, I will also get an opportunity to meet new people.” He researched about the agenda given to him to prepare for the MUN before participating in the discussion. He says the MUN will help him improve his public speaking skills.
Nainikaelety who represented Italy said, “The MUN will help me know more about the world problems and the way to get a solution for it.”
The chief guest for the event was IAS officer Krishna Bhaskar who addressed the audience on the significance of carving the internationalism among the students.
Guest of Honour, Mark McEyre, managing director of International Cultural Exchange, a cultural expert, guided the students on how culture can bridge the gap among the continents. He also emphasized on how cultural appreciation can be the ice breaker and the stepping stone for becoming a international human being in process while addressing the students.