Polishing diplomacy skills: Three-day BAYMUN conference comes to an end

KGS students secure best delegation position for fourth consecutive year

KARACHI: Seventeen schools from across the city took part in the fourth Bay View College Model United Nations (BAYMUN), 2016, which came to an end on Sunday night.

For the fourth consecutive year, Karachi Grammar School's (KGS) delegation was awarded the title of 'best delegation' as it secured the highest number of best delegate awards from the seven chairs. KGS also had the highest number of student representation at the conference compared to any other participating school. Other than the best delegation award, the committee chairs also awarded honourable mentions and special mentions to students. The awards were distributed at the Baymun closing ceremony held on Sunday.

This year, 210 students participated in Baymun, taking part in debates and developing their understanding of various situations, including international issues. The three-day conference was a platform for students to learn and take benefit from the art of diplomacy. The theme of Baymun this year was 'Revolutions through Resolutions.'



The conference hosts a number of students every year from various schools in Karachi as delegates of their representative countries in UN committees. The conference also gives students a perspective and an understanding of various countries' stances on different matters.

The preparation for the conference begins in June every year, to put together teams for six different categories, said Baymun, 2016 undersecretary-general Muhammad Sameet, who is an A-level student. He said that each department is handled by the students and 90% of the work for the conference is done by the students themselves. The six departments are marketing, publication, registration, logistics, creative and social. Since its successful launch in 2013, Baymun has provided a platform for students from different A-level schools to meet each other and test their skills.

"Our goal is to empower students and further polish their diplomatic expertise," said student affairs director Karen Ahmed, adding that participation in the conference is an invaluable experience. Addressing the closing ceremony, she said that by discussing serious issues, conflicts and forming resolutions at such conferences, students will become good leaders in the future.

"I can see bright and intellectual minds in front of me, which [are the best] Karachi can offer," said guest of honour Dr Aaron Mulvany, while encouraging students to work for the betterment of Pakistan. Mulvany is an assistant professor at Habib University. The chief guest at the ceremony, World Wide Fund -Pakistan, Sindh and Balochistan interim head Ali Dehlavi, encouraged the students to continue exploring diplomacy and bring out more perspectives.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2016.