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."

Students today have far more to learn than the traditional reading, writing and arithmetic. Through MUN, they learn the nuances of global decision-making and developing essential skills, as well as gain an interest in the world body that will continue throughout their lives.

In  the 12th MUN conference, students discussed broadly issues like education, energy, human rights, science and technology, economy, environment, sports, disarmament, and population and food. Spokespersons from the University of Mauri­tius and the UNDP delivered talks on the energy issue and ecological footprints, amongst other debates.

Amit Bhoonah, Secretary General, is an Upper VI student of Royal College, Curepipe. He says: "It's been an enriching educational experience. Being part of the conference was no doubt an experience of a lifetime. But I must say that from the first day of our preparation we had opportunity to learn a lot. I learnt to do a lot of research on the socio-economic and political information of the countries represented at the conference. Our teachers and the programme coordinator helped us in developing  our research skills," Amit adds.

He also represented Mauri­tius at Gilford Summit held in London in January 2008. During one week, he had the opportunity to meet  young people from some forty countries.

"I was able to talk to a Palestinian, an Israeli, a Brazilian, and made rewarding contacts. I was shocked when the Pales­tinian informed about the daily atrocities in his land, "says Amit.

He thinks that such activities are a good opportunity to apply the learning that we do in classes. "As a participant I had to talk to a lot of people, so I learnt to deal and negotiate with people. It helped me to overcome my timidity, now I have learnt to be a better public speaker. The self confidence I feel will definitely help me in future," he adds.

In the first instance, it was all fun, enjoyment of getting dressed and talking like a diplomat for this year, says Deputy Secretary General, Kaditya Subrayalu Naidu from Queen Elizabeth College. "When I first heard about MUN , I was really excited to take the role. However, without realising it, I learnt to listen, respect people and express my opinion. I have also seen the strengthening of personality in these four months of working together. We have become self-reliant in seeking information, looking for sponsors, dealing with Ministries, people from sponsoring agencies. The inhibitions are visible," Kaditya adds.

For a young student like Nishna Bhee­roo of Le Bocage International School, things were a bit difficult in the beginning. She says: “to learn all the parliamentary procedures and to get really serious about what we have to learn was not easy. We spent more time doing research and talking to other delegates. However, I realize those interactive sessions before the actual conference is fruitful.

Nishna  had the opportunity to participate twice at Harvard Model Congress Europe in Greece. “It was an opportunity to be heard, express ones opinion,” she says, adding, “we believe that we students can also develop our own resolutions in the future.”