MUN conferences around the world promote student interest in international relations and related subjects, increasing their capacity to engage in problem solving and teaching aspects of conflict resolution, research and communication skills.
The sixth session of Sri Lanka Model United Nations will t a ke p l a c e f rom August 5 - 7 at the Water’s Edge. The simulated UN conference will see over a 1000 young change make r s f rom Sri Lanka and a host of other countries in the re gion come together for three d ay s of intense debate and discussion under the theme ‘ equality and tolerance’.
What started off as a 50- delegate simulation of SAARC in 2005 has now evolved into South Asia’s largest MUN conference catering to over a 1000 delegates, said R. L. Ellawala, Charge d’Affaires for Sri Lanka Model United Nations ( SLMUN). The first SLMUN Conference was held in August 2008 and from then on it has become an annual gathering of aspiring young diplomats.
The idea is to simulate several major bodies of the United Nations within conference walls. For example this year’s SLMUN will have simulations of four General Assembly bodies, the Security Council, a Futuristic Security Council set 20 years from now, UNHRC and a Crisis Committee which will be formed during the days of the conference. In reminiscence of the conference’s beginnings there will also be a simulation of the regional body’s African Union.
MUN conferences around the world promote student interest in international relations and related subjects, increasing their capacity to engage in problem solving and teaching aspects of conflict resolution, research and communication skills.
Kemiya Kodithuwakku, Secretary General for SLMUN 2013 highlighted the importance of these skills to the participants in later years-“I can’t show you the results within a month or two,” he said. “But what I can tell you is that former Secretary Generals and delegates have gone on to study in prestigious universities and win several major international MUN awards. We have two former Secretariat members interning with Sri Lanka’s foreign missions to the UN. Being part of SLMUN can bring you to some great things.”
Students and schools interested in registering for the conference are asked to visit www. slmun. org for more details. Await interviews with the organising committee of Sri Lanka Model United Nations later this month!