The students will go to different committee rooms where they will debate as if they were in the United Nations. PHOTO: EXPRESS
This was how Syeda Ramsha Wasti explained The City School PAF Chapter’s reason for holding an academic simulation of the United Nations, titled PAFMUN 2013, that opened on Thurday. Over four days, each one of the delegates will be representing a member state in a replicated session of the UN to negotiate, analyse, do research, communicate and undertake conflict resolution.
“To have the will to change the world around us rather than letting the world chance upon us is the mission of this conference,” said Wasti who believes that Pakistan seems to be failing on all diplomatic fronts as no reasonable solutions have been reached on major issues.
The opening ceremony of the conference brought together around 550 young people from different institutions to play the roles of diplomats. This was a great achievement for the director-general, Khushhal Nadir Hadi, who noted that attendance had nearly doubled from last year, the first time they held the event.
Sidra Iqbal, a TV anchorperson and motivational speaker, was the chief guest along with the guest of honour, Shahid Jawed Qureshi, the president of the Pakistan-Malaysia Friendship Association. “One of the biggest lessons that a Model United Nations gives you is to be able to walk in somebody else’s shoes,” said Iqbal. “You are going to get to be the Indians, the Britishers, the Americans and the Other that you love to complain about.”
The school’s principal, Seema Irfan, was all praises for her student body. “You have to undertake the responsibility of this nation in such a way that not only us but others will be able to feel that our future is secure in your hands.”
Ifran believed that the platform will be able to help the youth fathom what Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general, once said: “In the 21st century, I believe, the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound, awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion.”
The whole enterprise was taken up by Shireen Karamally, headmistress of the A’ Level section, along with an enthusiastic team of students. “My boys have a way of embarrassing me and I do not know how to handle praise,” remarked the blushing headmistress as she was called to the stage amid loud cheers and applause.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2013.
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WHY MUNIK is not mentioned by express tribune ? it is much more advanced then PAFMUN.
Pafmun is a really thought provoking experiance. I was present there during pafmun 2012, and i can honestly say the level of munning going on there is AMAZING
This is an excellent extra carricular activites for children in schools. I would suggest to the principals of the schools to do similiar kind of activity by presuming different ministries of the government. To bring our Pakistani problems and solutions to the problem. This will be great to hear from our next generation about the problems and what they have the solutions in their mind.
Hard to Pakistani's to think about others, can be challenging for them walk in somebody else’s shoes..
Great to hear that. We really need to conduct more events like these. P.s at the same time, have to revitalize our education system by offering quality courses to the lower level of the society.
New Thinking isnt it so