Future diplomats: Model UN opens with display of global culture

Over 600 delegates participated in sixth annual simulation.

ISLAMABAD:

The hall was abuzz with the cacophony of blaring music, muffled announcements and a mix of lingo from around the world. Over 600 students from around 30 private schools from across the country participated in the opening ceremony of the sixth Model United Nations in City (MUNiC) organised by the City School Capital Campus at the Pak-China Friendship Centre on Thursday.

Titled “A search for utopia in the realms of reality” the annual MUNiC simulation event invited young students interested in critical analysis of the pressing global issues. Through debates and brainstorming sessions, the students were encouraged to express themselves and present viable solutions for a brighter future.

Attracting the crowd were the stalls of the Global Village, an event in which delegations were given an opportunity to portray different aspects of their allotted country’s culture.

The Global Village had a slice of cultural diversity -- whether it was bandaged mummies from Egypt, glowing torches from Greece or Ishq-e-Mamnoo posters among other major exports from Turkey, each flaunted the treasures from their chosen land. Sidelines of exotic cuisines, beer-drinking competitions and the odd quip in a foreign language kept the casual visitor captivated.

MUNiC president Ahmed Sufwan Shah, who initiated the tradition at the school, said that they had come a long way from where they first started back in 2008. “I have seen this grow from a small school event having a little over a 100 people and a small budget. We have gone regional and international and in a year or two, we will be competing with the LUMS Model United Nations Society (LUMUN),” he said.

“This is not just a big party, we have practical resolutions and we make sure that each delegate leaves with something pragmatic,” he added.

Apart from regular model committees such as UN Security Council, high commissioner for refugees and counter-terrorism committee, MUNiC also have a model international federation of football associations for exposure to the governing body of the most popular sports in the world.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata, who was the chief guest, toured the various stalls, interacting with the delegates. “This is my first time at such an event and I am impressed by the students’ presentations and knowledge,” he said.

Omar Ahmed, an alumnus said he was proud to witness how well his alma mater was doing in terms of extracurricular activities. “It is amazing to see this happening at a much larger scale than when I graduated from here 10 years ago,” he added.

The ceremony concluded with a cultural parade, with delegates flaunting their individual styles with oomph — whether it was the beach boys from Brazil or the belly dancers from the Middle East, they all had a statement to make.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2014.