Local University student on a United nations assignment
1 Jul 11
Two years ago I walked into a diplomacy conference run by the United Nations Society of the University of New South Wales.
This was a workshop to build the diplomatic, negotiating and public speaking skills of students hoping to be involved in the political sphere.
While this workshop was open to all students the main idea behind it was to train students with the skills necessary to compete in Model UN.
This was my introduction to an inter-university and international phenomenon. Model UN or mun, revolves around simulated political negotiations, ranging from discussions on international security to global warming to the control of items of cultural significance.
In short muns discus all aspects discussed by the UN using the same rules.
Delegates select countries and must follow that nations foreign policy whether they like it or not.
Muns range in size form the small university muns to global muns sometimes involving 6000 or more students.
Mostly these events are organised by individual or joint university committees but once every year the United Nations organises a Model UN called GMUN.
In 2011 this official Model UN is being held in Icheon South Korea, and a few weeks ago I received a letter of acceptance.
Now apart from the opportunity to travel to South Korea, there are a few reasons to attend, there is an immense wealth of experience to be gained through interacting with UN officials while through diplomacy and negotiation attempting to solve global problems. Networking is another advantage to be gained.
Whether making friends with other students attending or gaining an ability to keep in correspondence with UN workers, there are also opportunities for internships.
At this point having just been accepted I don’t know what issues I will be discussing or what country I will be representing, but I will write a follow up on my return.
Sam Fritz