17 Nov 2011|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector 125 Noida
Over 500 Students across the world participate in India’s Biggest MUN “Amity International Model United Nations (AIMUN) Conference"
Amity Educational Resource Centre( AERC) and Amity International Schools in support with UNESCO and UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan started India’s Biggest three day International High School Model UN “Amity International Model United Nations (AIMUN) Conference” from November 17 - 19, 2011 at Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida.
Over 510 high school students from 53 schools across India from Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and 13 schools worldwide from Germany, Denmark, Hungary, China, Mauritius ,Maldives, Pakistan & Kazakhstan are participating in AIMUN taking up the roles of UN Delegates and simulating the proceedings of Security Council, Crisis Committee, General Assembly, HRC, ECOSOC and UNESCO, thereby making it the biggest MUN Conference of India.
Welcoming the august gathering, Ms. Jyoti Arora- Head, Amity Educational Resource Centre( AERC) said that AIMUN 2011 is a progressive step towards making MUNs an integral part of the education system promoted and adopted by Amity International Schools and MUNs provide an apt platform to students from all over the world to express themselves and enhance their knowledge of International Affairs. The idea is to give them a global vision so that they are able to comprehend and analyze all the major problems facing the international community, thereby teaching them, that the world is one, like an extended family.
H. E Ban-Ki- Moon, Secretary General, United Nations sent his personal message during the inauguration for the young participants of AIMUN 2011 which read, “Our world is facing an increasingly complex set of complexities ranging from from rising joblessness to growing inequality to the increasing dangers of climate change. Many people are disillusioned with the established order. We need to forge a common agenda that can help ensure that future generations grow up in a world of sustainable peace, prosperity, freedom and justice. To help build this future, I believe the world must focus on five imperatives – Sustainable Development, Conflict Prevention, Standing up for the Democracy and Human Rights, Supporting Countries in Transition and working with and for Women and young people. This Model United Nations can contribute to the required push for progress. Participants of AIMUN will hone their negotiating skils and learn what it takes to achieve consensus. I wish great success to AIMUN and hope the experience will inspire the students to support UN’s work for peace, justice, human rights and sustainable development for years to come.”
Chief Guest, Dr Eszter Luckas, Member Presidium, United Nations Association of Hungary admired and congratulated Amity for organizing such an informative conference for the students. Dr. Luckas remarked that over 1.2 billion population of the world is between the age group of 10- 19, therefore it is very important to channelize the boundless energy of the youth in a proper manner. She asserted that events like AIMUN and the wide array of issues discussed under them plays a pivotal role in bringing out the innate skils of the youth.
Mr. Armoogum Parasuramen- Former Director of UNESCO in India while addressing the gathering outlined the importance of MUNs for participants and society in general. He said that MUNs aim to fulfill the goals outlined by the Founders of UN in the preamble. He remarked that today’s world needs good leaders and good citizens and MUNs do a great job in creating and chiseling leaders who can make the world a better place to live in . Mr. Parasuramen shared that MUNs apprise students and participants with the global issues and provide them hands on experience of debate, discussion, negotiation and resolution that form a regular part of UN proceedings. The interaction with global counterparts widens the perspective of the participants. Mr. Parasuramen motivated the participants to develop perseverance and motivation, which can help them to achieve anything and everything. He urged the students to aim high in their lives and to continuously challenge their capabilities.
Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan- Chairperson, Amity International Schools said that AIMUN 2011 gives an opportunity to the students to constructively give a vent to their skils while simulating the proceedings of United Nations and resolve the daunting challenges facing the world today. Reciting a shloka from Vedas, Dr. (Mrs.) Chauhan, very lucidly,brought out the similarity between “Vedas” and “ MUN” both of which, she emphasized, aim to attain peace and serenity. She outlined various national and international events Amity students have been participating in, thereby venturing into every arena for becoming globally competitive which is the need of the hour.
Also present during the inauguration were Ms. Sarah Berry- Incharge, Education and Culture Swiss Embassy, Dr. Latha Pillai- Pro- Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, Ms. Pooja Chauhan- Vice Chairman, Amity Humanity Foundation, Ms. Divya Chauhan- Chairperson, Amity School of Fine Arts and Amity School of Fashion Technology, Ms. Renu Singh- Principal- Amity International School, Noida, Directors and Head of the Institutions of Amity University and Principals, Vice Principals and teachers from Amity International Schools.
The schools across India participating in the Conference include Sanskriti School representing Armenia, Cambridge School, Indirapuram representing Australia, DPS, Sushant Lok representing Austria, British Co- Ed High School, Patiala representing Bolivia, Vishwashanti Gurukul World School, Pune representing Algeria and all Amity International schools located in Gurgaon, Sector- 43 and 46, Noida, Saket, Pushp Vihar, Mayur Vihar and Vasundhra etc. Headstart School, Islamabad, Mahatma Gandhi School, Kazakhstan, Rysensteen Gymnasium, Denmark, Droopnath Ramphul State College, Mauritius, Geschwister School, Germany, Aminiya, Maldives are some of the International schools that are participating in AIMUN 2011.
One of the participants, Raman Mathur from Japan representing Cameroon highlighted that there is an urgent need to redefine Cameroon’s development and education for preventing conflict in the country. He shared, during the proceedings of UNESCO, that there are over 250 groups of varying ethnicities in Cameroon, which co- xist in a rather hostile environment as the cultural differences cause conflict between people and groups. Presenting the solution to the problem, he stressed that education should be made compulsory in all regions of Cameroon which can spur social progress and eradicate prejudices and fallacies, thereby making the nationals productive contributors.
Various global issues that will be discussed under different Committees during three day Conference include “2011 Arab Revolutions and Instability in the Middle East” under Security Council, “The UN Convention on Corruption and money laundering” and “Peacemaking Reforms” under General Assembly, “Intellectual property rights” and “International Financial System and Development” under WTO, “Internet access as a Human Right” and “Responsibility to Protect” under Human Rights Council, “Bioethics and ethics of science and Technology” and “Education as means of preventing conflicts” under United Nations Educational, scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), “Rehabilitation of Regions affected by Radioactivity “ and “Promotion of Nuclear Technology for peaceful purpose” under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and “US National Security Council” and “Security Council of Russian Federation” under Joint Crisis Cabinet.
The Model United Nations (MUN) is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about civics, current global and local events and multilateral diplomacy. In MUN, students research a country, take on the roles of diplomats, recrete the work of the General Assembly Committees, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems. Thus, AIMUN attempts to fulfill the aims and goals set by the founders of the United Nations in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations: "To practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors."