Youth and Education

25.Jun.2012

On May 17-18, at Radisson Blue Iveria, Tbilisi, the United Nations Association of Georgia celebrated its 100^th anniversary Model United Nations conference in Georgia. As a culminating event of the spring cycle of university-based MUN sessions, the conference involved up to 80 university students that discussed global environment and sustainable energy challenges.  

National MUN Conference was opened by UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, Mr. Jamie McGoldrick, who congratulated the United Nations Association of Georgia on its 100^th MUN conference and delivered a welcoming speech for participant students, stressing the importance of understanding today’s global challenges and acting against their immediate and long-term implications on the lives of individual nations throughout the world.

Over 80 students from 10 different universities of Georgia, from Tbilisi and regions, participated in a two day simulation of the General Assembly to discuss the issue of “Global energy Resources and Sustainable Development”. Participants excelled in employing creative thinking and diplomatic action while elaborating different interesting ideas on how to decrease pollution rates and promote biomass for alternative energy production. After two days of intensive and very interesting discussions, MUN delegates achieved to reach consensus on two draft resolutions for final voting.

Out of 211 delegates throughout Georgia, 60 best students were selected. Together with 20 MUN Ambassadors, they took part in the National Session. The project covered 10 leading Georgian Universities: Ilia State University, Tbilisi State University, Free University of Tbilisi, Georgian-American University, University of Georgia, International Black Sea University, Telavi State University, Gori State University, Kutaisi state University and Akhaltsikhe State University.

Model United Nations Corners were established in all 10 participant universities to further promote student interest and involvement in Model UN and similar educational opportunities, which help students to gain a global perspective on world problems, acquire and improve their leadership, speaking, writhing and teamwork skills that they can apply in their future personal and professional lives. This active learning experience also allows its participants to understand the importance of their involvement in decision making, and understand the consequences that their decisions and actions may have both locally and globally.

UNAG has pioneered the idea of interactive role-playing in Georgia, launching the country’s first-ever Model UN Sessions in 1996 for junior-level students in International Relations departments at leading Georgian universities. Since then, Model UN sessions and role-playing have been a distinctive area of UNAG expertise. The sessions are held regularly, at times hosted by former participants in Model UN sessions, some of whom currently occupy important positions in public service, national and international bodies, and academia.

Using a methodology employed worldwide and adapted by UNAG trainers to local needs, students embrace the exciting world of international politics through an experience that helps them understand the instruments of multilateral diplomacy directly and have fun at the same time. On an emotional level, Model UN is a motivational experience. It’s fun to pretend a world leader solving the world’s most important problems in 48 hours or less. Participants explore new places, share common experiences with teammates and friends, and make new friends with smart and interesting students from other universities.

Spring cycle of MUN was co-supported by the United States State Department Bureau of Education and Culture, IREX and the United Nations Development Program in Georgia. For more information about this and other MUN events (including future plans), please check Model UN section on www.una.ge, or visit UNAG’s facebook pages at: www.facebook.com/una.ge and/or https://www.facebook.com/SakartvelosGaerosModelireba.