A Closer Look At NYMUN 2019
The National Youth Model United Nations (NYMUN) is a platform that provides Sri Lankan youth the opportunity to learn and engage in the art of diplomacy and conflict resolution via a mock simulation of the United Nations. It’s a conference that promotes diplomacy, confidence and public speaking skills and past participants of NYMUN have gone on to become UN Youth delegates, national representatives at international events and leads several change-oriented organisations in the country.
In its 4th year, NYMUN 2019 centers around the theme ‘Youth for National Peace’ and dives into a much-needed conversation about what the youth can contribute towards national peace. Set to take place this weekend, we catch up with the Secretariat of NYMUN 2019 to get a closer look at this year’s conference.
Secretariat
● ORNELLA HISHAM - Secretary General ● JEREMY DE ZILWA - Under Secretary General of Conference Protocol and Training
● ALISTAIR MARCUS - Under Secretary General of Operations and Logistics ● AASIF MOUJOOD - Under Secretary General of Outreach
Q WHAT IS NYMUN AND ITS OBJECTIVES?
JEREMY: The mission of NYMUN is to become an all island conference where delegates from all over the country can voice their viewpoint/ perspective on world issues. NYMUN wants to inculcate a sense of diversity and inclusion and encourage youth to take up leadership one step at a time. Our vision for NYMUN is to be an MUN conference that will set a pinnacle standard for MUN standard and quality that will engage with vibrant youth of Sri Lanka.
Q THE THEME FOR NYMUN THIS YEAR IS ‘YOUTH FOR NATIONAL PEACE’. WHY WAS THIS PICKED AS THE MAIN THEME?
JEREMY: Sri Lanka now more than ever need to stand for peace and reconciliation. With access to social media and other internet tools, Sri Lankan youth have the opportunity to be heard and make an impact more than ever before. We have seen that from the likes of Greta and we see that in the likes of many young individuals in Sri Lanka itself.
ASIF: However, we need the right message to be passed and we need young people to have a social responsibility when voicing opinions. In order for youth to have clear and open-minded viewpoints, it is necessary that they engage in formal and moderated discussions such as the likes of NYMUN.
Q IN LINE WITH THIS THEME, WHAT ARE THE MAIN CORE COMMITTEES THAT WILL BE DISCUSSING THIS TOPIC AND HOW DO THESE COMMITTEES ALIGN WITH ONE ANOTHER?
JEREMY: Majority of the topics speak about peace and reconciliation and the use of systems and information control to combat racial intolerance and hate speech. It also looks at incorporating security measures to combat conflict
UNESCAP ● The use of Information and Communications technology for disaster risk reduction. ● Assessing and combatting the economic and social impact of racism and digital hate speech.
UNSC
● Strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security
CSTD
● Discussing the application of cyber security mechanics in relation to the abuse of crypto currencies ● Employing data science mechanism in combating Racial Intolerance
UNHRC
● Promoting reconciliation, accountability
and human rights in Sri Lanka ● Protection of fundamental human rights while countering terrorism and combating racial intolerance
Q NYMUN IS THE ONLY TRILINGUAL MUN CONFERENCE IN SRI LANKA. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A TRILINGUAL CONFERENCE?
JEREMY AND ALISTAIR: This is one of the significant challenges that NYMUN faces in terms of organising. This year NYMUN has invested in equipment to translate material at a conference in one committee.
This committee is UNESCAP. We have also internally translated documents to Sinhala and Tamil such the Rules of Procedure and the Foreign policy statement template. We have also a simplified version of the Study Guides translated and shared with the delegates. We believe these initiatives that we have taken this year will serve NYMUN conferences in the years to come. While we have invested in translation equipment for a designated committee our chairpersons willingly encourage and accommodate delegates to give speeches in both Tamil and Sinhala.
NYMUN has always been regarded as somewhat of a stepping stone and has produced several Sri Lankans to represent the country internationally.
ORNELLA: We are dedicated to building a more inclusive and accountable Sri Lanka by highlighting the pivotal role young people must play in the progressive development of our country. To this effect NYMUN has had the privilege of housing many talented young Sri Lankans, who have gone on to represent
Sri Lanka at the
United Nations in New
York and many other international platforms.
There is a saying we tell all our delegates;
“You may have entered this conference as a delegate, but we are confident that you will leave as future Diplomats, UN representatives, change makers and much more!” Looking back at this 4-year journey, it has indeed been such a stepping stone.
Q DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE PREVIOUS MUN EXPERIENCE TO PARTICIPATE IN NYMUN?
ASIF: Many of our delegates this year are novice delegates. We have conducted 07 Outreach training workshops on MUN in Mawanella, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Puttlam, Galle and Kandy. We have also conducted a workshop and Practice Debates and we have instilled various mechanisms to help delegates feel included and help them take part. We have also trained all Chair persons on the importance of being nurturing and respectful to all delegates and delegates are allowed to hand in hard copies of their foreign policy statement in any language at the Practice debate or conference.
Q WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING THE SECRETARY GENERAL FOR NYMUN 2019?
ORNELLA: It’s been an absolute privilege to be able to lead and be a part this year’s National Youth Model United Nations conference. Working with an amazing secretariat and executive committee for more than 8 months to bring everything together has been challenging, empowering and fun! Having been part of NYMUN since its inception in 2016 has really helped me understand the significance and impact of such initiatives on youth across the nation. From being the first ever trilingual conference in 2017 accommodating all youth and breaking communication barriers, to providing this experience in almost every province in Sri Lanka in 2018, NYMUN has impacted whole communities in a very positive and empowering way. Helping to carry on this legacy, while also expanding and touching increasingly more lives has been an honour.
Q WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF ORGANISING THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE?
ALISTAIR AND ORNELLA: Logistically speaking the devil for us really was in the details. A lot of brainstorming, thought and discussion was done prior to making any decision to ensure NYMUN 2019 delivers what we always have over the years – the best MUN conference. From the conference venue to the last paper printed we have had challenging situations. But with an early start, an excellent team and a touch of passion for a better Sri Lanka we managed to push through each obstacle. Organising a conference as large as NYMUN along with 9 provincial assemblies doesn’t come without its challenges and obstacles. Our greatest challenge this year was overcoming the unforeseen obstacles that resulted from the Easter Sunday attacks. This resulted in a momentary drop in registration, difficulty in finding sponsors, obstacles in organising the provincial assemblies due to security concerns and having to shift conference dates. Despite all of this, we managed to pull off a bigger and better NYMUN conference than any that preceded it. This challenge reminded us all of the importance of unity in diversity and fueled our passion to encourage youth to take up leadership and responsibility for the future of Sri Lanka, which was a driving force for the success if this year’s conference and all the planning that led up to it.
Q HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS ARE YOU EXPECTING THIS YEAR?
ORNELLA: This year has seen the largest gathering of delegates at an NYMUN conference. We are expecting around 400-500 delegates from across the country. Owing to our provincial assemblies, this year we have delegations attending our conference all the way from Puttalam, Kurunegala, Galle, Gampaha, Matara, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, Kandy, Matale, Trincomalee and even Jaffna!
Q WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE FROM THIS YEAR’S NYMUN?
JEREMY AND ORNELLA: We hope that this year’s MUN would inspire people to speak and empower colleagues to argue and widen their perspective while having respect for the perspective of others. All in all, inculcate a sense of diplomacy in all walks of life.
In its 4th year, NYMUN 2019 centers around the theme ‘Youth for National Peace’ and dives into a much-needed conversation about what the youth can contribute towards national peace. Set to take place this weekend, we catch up with the Secretariat of NYMUN 2019 to get a closer look at this year’s conference