JMUN 2015: Diplomacy All the Way

We have all written essays to our hearts' content on "If I were the prime minister/president of my country" when we were kids. But trust me - the easier it is to write our motives down, the tougher it is to implement them. Be the leader of your nation for a day, raise one single point on the floor, and you will find almost everyone opposing it – and that's when diplomacy matters.

Jahangirnagar University Model United Nations Association (JUMUNA) organised its first Model United Nations from August 27 to 29, 2015 on the university campus. The message was: "Stop fighting, let's negotiate." More than 250 delegates from home and abroad joined this United Nations simulation.

The opening ceremony was inaugurated by Professor Dr. Farzana Islam, Vice Chancellor of JU. The prominent guests were M. Moniruzzaman, Officer in Charge, United Nations Information Center; Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Lecturer, Department of Government and Politics, and Md. Jannatul Habib, Lecturer, International Relations.

The entire programme simulated six different committees: SAARC, International Press, World Bank, UNESCO, UNSC and GA6. The sixth committee (GA6) of General Assembly focused on law students. They had the chance to practice formulating international laws.

What do you do when you are given a crisis that involves OIC's banning girls' education except in professions of medicine and teaching? The delegate of Libya, in the committee of UNESCO, tactfully pointed out that since the security of women was threatened, the ban was a way for the government to protect them. Handling situations tactfully was the challenge as long as the delegates followed their assigned country's policies. The agendas were engaging. While SAARC dealt with opening borders among member countries, UNSC discussed global concern of Violent Non-State Actors.

"The best part for me was when all the delegates applauded the idea I came up with about a new education system for autistic and differently-abled children. I made them understand that the problem was with us, not children with special needs because we are the ones who fail to understand them," said Talal Hossain after winning the Outstanding Delegate Award in the committee of UNESCO.

The standard was raised to a new level as many experienced MUNers joined the conference. When asked about her experience, Mir Maiesha, who became the Best Delegate in World Bank committee said, "You get to learn something from every delegate you interact with. The Executive Board provided the new participants with directions to improve their skills."

While delegates were busy with crisis sessions, creating draft resolutions and working papers during the day, they also joined in at the Social Nights. All delegation teams had to perform at this event.

The founder of JUMUNA and Secretary General of JMUN 2015, Md. Riyajul Karim said, "We dream to build a new generation by negotiation. And Model UN is the perfect platform to learn this."

The third day was marked by the closing ceremony held at Savar Golf Club. M.A. Malek Mia MP; Professor Abdullah Hel Kafi, Department of International Relations; and Mamun Mia, President, UNYSAB were the guests. Delegates from different committees were awarded on the basis of their performances.