Youth and Education

23.Dec.2009

The United Nations Association of Georgia conducted National Model UN conference for active Georgian students. The main topic of the conference was "Terrorism-Afghanistan Case".

The National Model UN program was divided in two parts: the cycle of Model UN conferences at universities and National Model UN Conference. Students from five Georgian Universities were actively involved in MUN conferences.

The students’ selection process for National MUN conference included two stages: the first-students from five Georgian universities were selected on basis of CVs, motivation letters and brief interviews and secondly the selected applicants took part in Model UN conferences launched at their universities. MUN conference was dedicated to “Air Pollution” as a main issue of UN current agenda “Sustainable development”. The participants talked about the air pollutants’ elimination and in the role of diplomats discussed negative affection of pollutants on humanity and noted the importance of developing alternative energy for ensuring stable environment. Afterwards the best six delegates from each university were selected for participation in National MUN conference. Totally 30 delegates were divided in groups and given a task to prepare for UN Security Council Session on topic “Terrorism”, especially “Afghanistan case”.

On December 21-22, 2009 UN Security Council Session was held at Sheraton Metekhi Palace Hotel. The participants in the shoes of the diplomats of different countries considered terrorism as a great threat towards humanity, identified current condition in Afghanistan and represented their position papers, initiatives and approaches for solving terrorism-related problems. The delegated of the respective countries discussed the source of financing the terrorists and set ways for securing stabilization in Afghanistan. During the open discussions the delegates planned specific activities and talked about the inevitability of international cooperation to provide peace-building in Afghanistan. The participants elaborated three draft resolutions and one of them was supported by the majority of votes.

At the closing ceremony the best six participants were awarded with certificates for their active and contributive participation in National Model UN conference.

The participants of the MUN conferences got information about current political situation in Afghanistan, acquired practical skills in making effective presentations, debating and teamwork. The obtained knowledge will help the students to become leaders, to act as global citizens and to take valued contributions in civil society development process.

The National Model UN Conference was implemented by UNA Georgia with support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).