The MUN Conference will find its way in all the secondary schools in Mauritius beginning next year, the Minister of Education, Dharam Gokhool, has announced this week. Although somewhat belated - particularly because the decision to extend this activity to all schools comes almost after twelve years since it first started in Mauritius teachers and schools welcome it. They find in it an excellent way to promote world issues among the younger generation.

The Model United Nations has today one of the most popular and effective active learning techniques. Here the par­ticipating school and college students are engaged in the complexities and the limits of international organisations.

As an  academic stimulation, the MUN aims to educate college students about civics, effective communication, globalisation, and multilateral diplomacy. The participants play the roles of diplomats taking part in simulated sessions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and its Commissions.

Students research a country, investigate international issues from the UN agenda, deliberate, consult and  develop solutions to world problems on the agenda of he UN. The participants undertake months of research work, training sessions and draft resolutions on intricately related issues like food security, climate change, alternative sources of energy and poverty.

At the conferences, the participants work to propose resolutions addressing regional conflicts, peacekeeping, human rights, economic and social development and the environment. A diverse group of informed participants are given a forum in which to discuss global concerns in a context that closely parallels the real world situation.

Over the years, MUN has promoted student interest in international relations and related subjects, increase their capacity to engage in problem solving. Besides learning different as­pects of conflict resolution and  research skills, the students also benefit by sharpening their communication skills. It undoubtedly creates the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends for enriching one’s educational experience.

MUN attracts more schools
The MUN in Mauritius started in 1993 with 18 delegations. It was ex­tended to other schools in 1994 and has since been organized by the Ministry of Education and Human resour­ces as  an annual feature.

The 12th Model United Nations Conference of Mauri­tius held at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute which started on Monday  August 4 ended yesterday. It was attended by 600 delegates representing 150 countries like Afghanis­tan, Australia, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Hon­duras, Lesotho, Somalia and Zimbabwe. Other participants included 57 Se­cretaries, 40 security Guards, 44 Press members and 29 Chairpersons.

Narain Dabee, Project Coor­dinator MUN 2008, says: "This is the first time I have taken the role. Hence, it has also been a rich learning experience, but at the expense of a lot of sacrifice. The core team of one trainee and one officer from the Ministry , along with the participants, worked long hours during the  last four months. The team sacrificed their holidays and weekends in carrying out the preparations of different activities. "Initially, building a team spirit was important as we lacked human resource and logistics, especially at the Ministry level. However, the students worked hard in arranging and finding sponsors.

The Ministry and also the teachers of different schools, stood by the students and supported to make the event successful, " Dabee adds.

He further points out that this year the conference had a record participation rate of 94.5 percent of schools running classes up to Form VI. “ It is in fact a stepping stone to realizing the Minister’s earnest wish of getting 100% in 2009."