Article By: Laurabeth Goldsmith, Best Delegate Program Manager and NEIMUN Trainer
Motivated delegates at NEIMUN in North East India continue writing resolutions even through rolling blackouts.
Romasha Borbora traveled two days by bus from Assam, India in order to attend a conference in the North East region of India which started on United Nations Day, October 24, 2014. Romasha believes that, “Model UN is a great platform for youth to showcase their talent, gain knowledge, and develop their leadership qualities.”
During the first day of the conference nothing stopped the motivated young students from learning about the United Nations, not even rolling blackouts, which left students working on resolution writing in the dark. Borsha Dutta, another delegate, explained after the first day of the conference that, “the best way to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the United Nations is to share today with many other delegates.”
“The best way to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the United Nations is to share today with many other delegates.”
At the North East India Model United Nations Conference (NEIMUN), students are discussing important global issues for the United Nations post 2015 development agenda including: the Illicit Trafficking of Small Arms, Access to Sanitation, Corruption and Bribery, Gender Equality, and the Rights of Indigenous People. For the 290 young students attending the conference, the majority of whom are new to Model United Nations, these topics are not simply abstract issues that their political representatives discuss at the United Nations, but rather issues that influence their lives and the lives of other youth in North East India and around the world.
Best Delegate had the opportunity to serve as training partners at NEIMUN on UN Day teaching about topics including: The United Nations, Resolution Writing, and Youth Empowerment. Best Delegate serves as educational consultants and trainers for conferences around the world. To date, Best Delegate has taught in more than twenty countries in Latin America, The Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America. Best Delegate believes that the Best Delegates bring out the best in others.
NEIMUN follows the UN4MUN Model United Nations procedure, which was developed by the United Nations in order for students to more accurately simulate the actual proceedings of the United Nations. This procedure focuses on consensus building among Member States. In the real United Nations General Assembly eighty percent of resolutions are adopted by consensus, meaning that they are never taken to a vote, as no country feels strongly enough opposed to request a formal vote. UN4MUN also features Chairs and a President of the General Assembly, which are elected from the delegates present at the conference.
Model United Nations helps students develop their leadership, public speaking, negotiation skills, confidence, knowledge about international politics and new friendships. As Kaipubam Nikila Sharma, stated, “I think that Model UN is a good platform for people to learn deeply about the UN…When we study [about the UN] from books it is only a rough outline. Because of Model UN we understand how resolutions are passed and how the UN is making a better place for us to live in.”
“I think that Model UN is a good platform for people to learn deeply about the UN…When we study [about the UN] from books it is only a rough outline. Because of Model UN we understand how resolutions are passed and how the UN is making a better place for us to live in.”
Model United Nations provides an unparalleled experiential learning opportunity for youth around the world. The students at NEIMUN recognize this and traveled long hours and worked through difficult conditions to absorb as much knowledge about the United Nations as possible. In order for Model United Nations to reach its full potential, delegates must capitalize on the opportunities Model United Nations provides, learn about the United Nations, and share their knowledge about the work of the United Nations with others.
