VIJAYAWADA: Students from different schools in Vijayawada, who participated in a conference organised by Indian International Model United Nations (IIMUN), on Wednesday, felt immensely happy as they stepped into the shoes of ambassadors of countries that are members of United Nations Organisation (UNO) and took part in debates as part of the mock session of the UNO Security Council.
IIMUN, a youth organisation, with the motto of introducing the students to the world of diplomacy, negotiation and decision making organised the conference at Delhi Public School in Vijayawada. The New Indian Express is the Media Partner for the three-day event.
“We have briefly studied about our Parliament and also the UNO in our textbooks. Now, we have come to know about the functions and responsibilities of these bodies. We are thankful to the IIMUN for providing us the necessary material and explaining in detail the role of the representatives of UNO and how they deal with various global issues,” said a student Ojaswi, who is eagerly awaiting her turn to take active role in the debate on Veto Power scheduled for Thursday.
Echoing the voice of students, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani, who inaugurated the three-day conference, said that such events would provide ample opportunities to students to discuss the issues pertaining to the world.
“During our student days, we had no such opportunities. Thanks to the development of technology, which enables us to get any information at a click of button,” he said and exhorted the students to learn about the proceedings of Indian Parliament, Judiciary and the executive body.
IIMUN Director General Kumar Vardhan Jain said IIMUN’s motto was to create platform for students and youth and raising awareness about local, national and international issues. “We have organised several such conferences across India, including Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. But, we have received a good response from the students in Vijayawada as about 300 students registered to take part in the Model United Nations (mock session of UNO) from different schools in and around Vijayawada,” Jain said.
Explaining the Model UN, he said students step into the shoes of ambassadors of countries that are members of the UN. “The students better known as ‘delegates’, debate current issues on the organisation’s vast agenda. They prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts and navigate UN’s rules of procedure - all in the interest of resolving problems that affect the world,” he said adding that before playing out their ambassadorial roles in Model UN, students research the particular global problem to be addressed.
“Model UN delegates learn how the international community acts on its concerns about peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalisation,” he said.
He also said that at a time when India was getting the support from world countries for getting permanent membership in the Security Council of UNO, the involvement of students and youth within the nation would also come as a support for the cause.
Benefits of Session
“As part of this, we are going to organise a Marathon at UNO headquarters in the US and simultaneously in most of the cities in the country involving youth and students,” he concluded.
Delhi Public School Dean SB Rao, conference secretary general Rushabh Vora and others also spoke.