21 Nov 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Over 450 students across the World come together to find solutions to the problems afflicting the world during Amity International Model United Nations
Amity Educational Resource Centre( AERC) together with Amity International Schools started three day International High School Model UN “Amity International Model United Nations (AIMUN) Conference” from November 21 - 23, 2013 at Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida.
The Model United Nations (MUN) is an academic simulation of the United Nations and is a superb way of educating students in International Affairs, Teamwork and Diplomacy. In MUN, students conduct their research on a country, take on the roles of diplomats, recreate the work of the General Assembly Committees, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems.
Over 450 students across India and abroad including France, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, USA, Maldives, Mauritius, Kazakhstan are participating in AIMUN, taking up the roles of UN Delegates in eight Councils- General Assembly, Security Council, UNESCO, CCPCJ, Futuristic Security Council, UNFCCC, RAW and NATO
Mrs. Ameeta Mohan- Principal, Amity International School, Pushp Vihar welcomed the august gathering and introduced the International guests.
Ms. Jyoti Arora- Head, Amity Educational Resource Centre (AERC) said that AIMUN 2013 is a progressive platform for students across the world to express themselves and also enhance their knowledge of International Affairs. Further, reading out the message of H.E Ban – Ki- Moon- Secretary General, United Nations which he specially sent for AIMUN 2013, Ms. Arora quoted, “The UN works every day, around the clock, across the world, to confront today’s emergencies while building foundations of peace for tomorrow. We are feeding the hungry, fighting diseases and pressing for a nuclear weapon free world. UN has adopted a bold vision for the period beyond 2015 and we need people to make it realize. I encourage you to join forces with like minded individuals and groups to generate change and promote mutual tolerance. I look forward to the contributions you will make to our shared work for peace, development and human rights.”
Addressing the gathering, Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan- Chairperson, Amity International Schools said that AIMUN is not only a platform to groom leaders of tomorrow but also an opportunity to learn to be responsible and give the best to the world around and leave a rich legacy. Highlighting the relevance of AIMUN 2013’s theme- “Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam-the World is one”, Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan said that at Amity, the constant endeavor is to forge global friendships, diminish geographical boundaries, moving towards a world of unity and peace. UN also promotes peace and solidarity and so does AIMUN. She expressed her hope that student delegates from across the world, acting as Delegates during AIMUN, will develop better understanding of each other’s culture and problems haunting their countries.
Delivering the inaugural address, Her Excellency Mrs. Darja Bandaz Kuret- Ambassador of Slovenia to India expressed her joy for being a part of the inaugural ceremony and said that with the onslaught of newer and better technologies, human beings, to some extent, could be replaced in many chores with technology but their love, compassion to build their country and foster world friendship cannot be replaced by any technology. Talking about MUNs, she said that through MUNs, students get familiarized with UN, its goals, values, functioning and various welfare programmes through which students can deliver change. She called upon the student delegates to interact with each other, adopt a creative approach and try to find solutions to problems such as Peace, Solidarity, Development, Right to Food etc. “Get together and create harmonious friendships for the benefit of the world.” stressed Her Excellency
Sharing his views, Mr. Martin Mikkelsen- Deputy Head of Mission Royal Danish Embassy said that AIMUN would acquaint the delegates with the important challenges faced by the delegates of UN especially in terms of reaching consensus on the solutions proposed. He expressed his hope that the students will try to find solutions to the problems faced by World such as Melting of Polar Cap, Global Warming etc. He pointed out the possibility of few Indian students getting so much inspired from AIMUN that they might join Indian Foreign Services and contribute to the benefit of mankind
Also present during the occasion were Mrs. Usha and Mr. Ashok Attri ,Former Ambassador for India to Denmark; Ms. Beehary Panray Dahmiantee -Education Ministry of Mauritius; Dr. Juliana Gloeckler-Fuchs, Project Manager, International School Cooperation and Vocational Training, Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan; Mr. Alexander Kruckenfellner, Goethe Insitut, Munchen, Germany; Mr. and Mrs Tibor Kovacs, Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre, New Delhi; Ms. Esmeraldo Alonsa, Spain-Research Expert at the Basque Institute for Evaluation and Research in Education; Ms. Morozova Ekaterina, Head of Moscow Association of Foreign Language Teachers ,Russia; Ms. Farzana Abdul Gayyoom, Faculty Advisor, Aminiya School and others.
Various International issues that will be discussed during three day Conference include Cyber War, Arms Trafficking and Terrorism, Equal Access to Education for Women, The future of Nanotechnology?, Nuclear program of North Korea, Post 2014 withdrawal from Afghanistan, Ratification and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, International cooperation for the improvement of access to legal aid in criminal justice systems, Water–Ice Cap melting, thermal expansion, and ground water depletion, CO2 Accountability Measures: Land-use, Forestry and Carbon Sink Capacity?? and Oil Security and Energy Availability
Aljaz Leljak, a delegate from Slovenia representing Maldova in UNFCC expressed his joy and excitement for being the part of the mega cross cultural event where he will be discussing about “Global Warming” in Maldova. Talking about his preparation, Aljaz , who is participating in International MUN for the first time, said, “ I have done thorough research about Maldova through Internet, trying to comprehend the problems faced by the country and its people with special reference to Global Warming, Climate Change etc.. Though, it is difficult to understand a country and its problems in a week but it is definitely, a good beginning to understand global issues and moot potential solutions to them.”
A student delegate from Germany representing Maldova in General Assembly, Nikolai Shayani expressed that he is participating in International MUN for the first time and would try giving solutions to issues such as Cyber warfare, Arms Trafficking and Terrorism w.r.t. Maldova. He stressed that AIMUN would be an enriching and informative experience for him and he is looking forward to befriend students from other countries and get acquainted with their country, culture, issues and other things.
Novesh Soordeo, a student delegate from Royal College, Mauritius, expressed that he would propose solutions to the problems such as Gender Parity, Women Education, Future of Nanotechnology in UNESCO. He further, stated that all the student delegates are the future of their countries and it is very important for them to understand the global scenario. He stressed that all the nations should join hands to find resolution to world peace, harmony and solidarity.
The Indian schools participating in the Conference include Cambridge School, Indirapuram; DPS Schools in Gurgaon, R K Puram, Mathura Road, Rohini, Noida; Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, Suncity, Gurgaon; Modern School Barakhamba Road and others.