National University of Modern Languages. PHOTO: NUML.EDU.PK
To provide students an opportunity to practise the art of diplomacy, while debating ways to resolve regional and international issues, the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Model United Nations (NMUN) was inaugurated on Wednesday.
At the opening ceremony, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam, who is also United Nations and Economic Coordination additional secretary, said Pakistan is playing an effective role at various forums of the United Nations. Pakistan has made great sacrifices for maintaining peace around the world by contributing towards UN peace-keeping missions, she added.
Aslam said MUN helps students to think out-of-the-box and develop an international perspective. “This opportunity will help participants understand the agendas and ideologies at play at the United Nations. Moreover, it will help them become better ambassadors for Pakistan.”
“This is the age of interdependence where no country can survive in isolation and Pakistan is developing very cordial relations with all the countries of the world,” she stated. Event coordinator and head of the International Relations department, Zulfiqar Ali Qureshi said, “This is about moving from books to applying the knowledge practically.”
International Relations lecturer at NUML, Ashfaq Ahmed said following the model of the United Nations, the event aims to educate students on the UN’s role as a moderator in global conflicts.
NUML Director General Brig. Azam Jamal said NMUN will enable our delegates to better understand global issues and leadership skills.
Participants will discuss the dynamics of international relations and the ethical and historical aspects of UN committees such as the United Nations Security Council, Disarmament and International Security Committee, (DISEC), Social, Cultural & Humanitarian Committee (SOCHUM), Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (SPECPOL) and Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN).
For the second time round, some 150 participants from seven regional campuses and universities in the twin cities, including Islamic International University, Shifa Medical College, National Defence University and Abaseen University will take on the roles of ambassadors of 32 UN member countries.
The conference will feature musical evenings, food stalls, games, sports, and themed dinners. The two-day event begins on April 10.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2014.
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