Int’l Model UN Security Council conference due in Baku
By Sara Rajabova
The Azerbaijani Youth and Sport Ministry and UNDP are co-organizing the country's first International Model UN Security Council Conference.
The conference will be held in October within joint project on "Youth Participation in Decision Making and Policy Implementation".
A four-day conference will bring together 45 university students and graduates of 15 states currently serving as members of the UN Security Council including Azerbaijan.
Selected candidates will participate in a two-day pre-conference training workshop to be organized in collaboration with the UN Department of Public Information (UNDPI) that will feature former and current diplomats with rich experience in global security matters, followed by a simulated session of the UN Security Council on cyber terrorism.
The young people will be required to step into the shoes of ambassadors and diplomats and role-play the policy debates at the Security Council meeting.
Engagement in the Model UN will help the participants develop research, writing, public speaking and analytical skills, which are invaluable assets for future policy-makers. Furthermore, through this exercise they will learn the value of consensus building, conflict resolution and cooperation and enhance their leadership and communication skills.
As preparation for the conference, a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Mr. Intigam Babayev that includes relevant staff of the Ministry and UNDP will be travelling to the UN New York Headquarters on 26-30 August, 2013.
The purpose of the mission is to tap on international experience in management of the MUNs and attract high level international speakers to the event in Baku.
During the mission the delegation will hold bilateral meetings with the newly appointed UN Secretary General Youth Envoy, Ahmad Alhendawi, Under Secretary General for Communications and Public Information, Launsky Tieffenthal, UNDP Regional Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS, Cihan Sultanoglu and Director of Outreach Division of UNDPI, Maher Nasser.
The delegation will also have an opportunity to attend the annual Model UN workshop organized by UNDPI in New York City.
Model UN is a real-life simulation of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council or any other UN body which takes students into the world of diplomacy and negotiation. In Model UN students debates current issues on the Organization's agenda. The students, better known as "delegates" in Model UN, prepare draft resolution, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts and navigate the UN's rules of procedure in the interest of mobilizing international cooperation to resolve problems.
Azerbaijan has become a non permanent member of UN Security Council since January 1, 2012 and its membership will continue until December 31, 2013. During these two years Azerbaijan chaired the Security Council in May, 2012 and will be heading for a month period in upcoming October again.