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Students practise being model UN delegates

Peace and Governance Programme academic staff members Vesselin Popovski, Edward Newman and Elsje Fourie with Model UN participants and supporters at UNU Centre, Tokyo.

Ten students from universities across Japan were at UNU Centre, Tokyo, February 22 to practise their presentations as Model UN delegates at the National Model United Nations Conference (NMUN) to be held in New York in March.

The students were looking for feedback from UNU experts on the substance and style of the presentations they will make at NMUN, where they will represent the Netherlands in sessions dealing with: Human Rights, Peace and Security, Environment, Information and Communication Technology, and UN Reform. 

Model United Nations, an authentic simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies, has been operating for more than 50 years. It gives young people the chance to study and discuss global issues and to develop important skills such as research, writing, public speaking, problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution and compromise and cooperation. Model United Nations works to further understanding of the United Nations and contemporary international problems and prepares participants to be better global citizens.  

This year's Japanese contingent included students from Keio University, Kitakyushu University, Gakushuin University, Waseda University, Tsukuba University, and Osaka University of Foreign Studies. Thirty student observers, private sponsors and UN staff and others joined them for the session, organised by UNU Peace and Governance Programme.

Among the observers were several young Dutch members of the Japan-Netherlands Institute who were able to offer specific feedback on the policies of the Netherlands.

It was the third year that UNU staff have organised and hosted the NMUN rehearsal session which is now likely to become a regular event.

 newman@hq.unu.edu

© 2005  United Nations University