In a world plagued with coercions and conflicts, the role of the United Nations in maintaining stability and peace requires a lot of intense and pragmatic introspection.
The Model United Nations Conference 2017, hosted by Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, was a true reflection of the hectic lobbying and parlays that go on behind the scene.
Zealous delegates from nine city schools fought it out in five committees - United Nations Security Council (UNSC), The International Police Organisation (Interpol), The Arab League, United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the International Press Corps.
The primary agenda for the UNSC was the Russian annexation of Crimea, the legitimacy of Russian aggression and the present situation. "The Security Council is the most dynamic committee. Who knows? The solutions that we propose here might be of help in the real world someday," said Ayaan Hassan Ahmed, Class XII, St. James' School.
The central theme for the Interpol was organised crimes such as illegal immigrant problem, human trafficking, coupled with "new-age threats" like cyber crime and link between terrorist groups and crime networks. "MUN is very important to students in general. It teaches us about policy, economics and everything related to the real world," said Rohan Lodge, Class XI of the host school, who chaired the committee.
Raunak Basu, Class XII, secretary-general of LSA-MUN 2017, chaired the Arab League. The committee formed its council on combating insurgency. Almost every possible corner of the post Arab-Spring politics was debated, including the threat posed by socially and politically marginalised groups and extremist organisations and their possession of illegal weapons of mass destruction.
While the Human Rights Council extensively raised issues regarding human rights violation in North Africa, the International Press Corps got busy with preparing session reports, questioning delegates in the press conference as well as interviewing the delegates.
Calcutta International School bagged the Best Delegation Award while Don Bosco, Liluah, secured the Outstanding Delegation award. The Best Delegate awards went to Suvayan Sen Gupta, Class XII, The Heritage School (UNSC), Shatadroo Dutta, Class X, The Heritage School (Interpol), Shamik Dutta, Class XI, St. James' School (Arab League), Rithvik Chatterjee, Class X, Calcutta International School (UNHRC) and Drishti Jalan, Class XII, Mahadevi Birla World Academy (International Press Corps.)
"The main aim of the MUN is to channelise positive energy into the students. It does not just prepare them for academics; they get trained for their future lives as well. All the committees did a decent job. The way they discussed and debated global problems is very impressive," said Meena Kak, principal.
