Deeksha Pandey, 2 MAIS
The world is celebrating 75 years of one of the most prolific symbols of world peace and cooperation, the United Nations. As citizens of a globalized world, it is imperative now that young leaders come up with solutions for varied problems affecting countries across the globe. It is important to instill the ability to come to a consensus and formulate solutions for world peace and co-operation, for the advancement of the global future. A peaceful society is fundamental to promote and support the three pillars of the UN- peace and security, development and human rights. Global issues such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, humanitarian and migratory crises are cross-cutting, implicating the values and interests of nations and necessitate collective attention and action. Technological advancement has also impacted the political and socio-economic landscape and inter-state relations. Antonio Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations has time and again reiterated his commitment to a ‘surge in diplomacy for peace’ which included partnering with regional organizations; mobilizing the entire range of those with influence, from religious authorities to civil society and the business community; enhancing the mediation capacity of the UN, including in support to regional and national mediation efforts; and making greater use of the pacific settlement of disputes options laid out in Chapter VI of the UN Charter. In the 21st century, the limits of state diplomacy are evident. With so many of the drivers of conflict being transnational in origin and effect, and waging wars and conducting diplomacy no longer the sole preserve of states, various adaptations to traditional diplomacy have emerged. Multilateral diplomacy for peace provides a practical basis of a capacity for peace, at both the local and international level. Creating and nurturing structures and institutions that underpin and sustain peaceful societies would be the ultimate aim of diplomacy for peace. As articulated by the Sustainable Development Goal 16 and its targets, peace would be treated as a function of good governance and sustainable development. It is thus of urgent importance that the young leaders of tomorrow come forth and help facilitate a dialogue through diplomatic means in order to bring peace for our posterity.
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IR MUN – Where the best Munner’s Meet International Relations Model United Nations 2021 (IRMUN 2021) IR Mun 2020 is one of the most famous and successful MUN in the Bangalore circuit. The objective of the Model United Nations is to seek, through discussion and debate, solutions to the various problems of the world. The International Relations Model United Nations (IRMUN 2021) is a two-day national-level event that will be held virtually through an online platform. IRMUN is a debating platform that will follow the guidelines of the United Nations. IRMUN offers students an excellent opportunity to expand, develop and put into practice their lobbying, negotiating and debating skills. As our theme suggests, UN @75: Pursuing Diplomacy for a Peaceful Posterity we aim to instil the ability among the students to come to a consensus and formulate solutions for the world peace and co-operation, for the advancement of the global future. At this conference, young leaders are encouraged to come up with solutions for varied problems affecting countries across the globe. This is a platform where students from across the nation and the world can hone and test their skills of diplomacy, problem-solving, debating public speaking, writing and team building as well as gain the ability to scrutinize and analyse seemingly complex concepts to acknowledge and understand the multifaceted nature of problems, and most importantly, to actively listen to friends and foes alike. IR MUN 2021 aims at nurturing young minds to pursue diplomacy over war and conflict and to enable them to create a prosperous future. It is the need of the hour to solve issues around the world through the art of diplomacy, to enhance peaceful coexistence and to integrate nations for a better tomorrow. The crucial act of striking a balance between the fruits and perils of development is the requirement for the world. The IRMUN focuses on five such relevant and important committees of Model United Nations which include: The UN General Assembly - Disarmament and International Security (DISEC) The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. Disarmament and International Security is the First Committee of the General Assembly and discusses military matters including disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons and weapons of mass destruction. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action. Continuous Crisis Committee (CCC) One of the most thrilling committees of a Model United Nations conference is the Continuous Crisis Committee leaves all delegates with an adrenaline rush. The most integral part of this committee is to test the ability of the delegate to defend the policy and stands of their country in that particular crisis. The committee expects the delegate to constantly update themselves with the changing conditions and updated crisis. The use of directives makes the committee even more unpredictable and expects the delegate to respond by protecting their sovereignty. United Nation Refugee Agency (UNHCR) The UNHCR is one of the most challenging committees in the Model United Nations, were agendas are shaped surrounding the major issues of displacement. The delegates engage themselves in dealing with refugee crisis across the world, with an acute interest in protecting their national interest and at the same time taking necessary actions of humanitarian intervention. Lok Sabha Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Indian parliament and is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election based on adult suffrage. The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552. Various political parties, having national and regional interest share the platform on a particular agenda through parliamentary procedures. The participants in the committee are allotted certain political parties and this committee is where a majority of heated conversations occur. Model United Nations (MUN) is essentially a simulation exercise to replicate the innate workings of United Nations. While the driving idea with its initial introduction was to focus more on the academic learning that one gains from their participation in the conference, but in reality , one can witness that MUN’s have so much more to offer.
The pandemic has taught us that our globe has become more interconnected than ever, thus having extensive knowledge not just about one’s own nation but rather one needs to assess and develop our thought process on the dynamics and interplay among nations. MUN’s facilitate this process by compelling the individual to critically think from the view point of the country allotted, keeping aside their own personal considerations. MUN is also an enabler of achievement of a multitude of soft skills beat it whether it is leadership skills, public speaking skills, interpersonal communication, organizational skills, negotiation tactics and writing skills but the most important learning aspect is the pursuation and ability to undertake concise research which is to be employed with effective materials researched upon. MUN’s also gives one the opportunity to form strong connections in a safe and structured environment and due to its academic nature; MUN’s can form an impressive addition to one’s own portfolio. Finally, at a much larger level MUN makes one aware of the working of the nuances in United Nations which at this point in time has become an immensely important organization to provide a common platform for various compelling nations to engage in dialogue on issues that are of a global concern and as Dag Hammarskjöld said " United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell." I Jeevitha GL from 1MAIS took part in CCC committee as a deligate of Turkey. As a first time munner, I was scared to on the first day to give my speech after watching all other deligates speeches. But the second day was much more fruitful as I gained more confidence to speak and understand how a deligate representing a country would handle a international affairs of that particular country. Participating in IR MUN 2020 gave me an exposure to how the bilateral relations and conflict resolutions are made in international arena and also how a country foreign policy could influence the actions taken by the representatives of that country.
IR MUN was a unique opportunity for the students to engage in real world situations and come up with solutions to the crisis around the world - JEEVITHA GL- MAIS As a delegate of India in UNSC, I made sure that the topic given to me-LAWS is being analysed so that I could state my country’s position to the chair. I had a very enriching experience wherein I learnt to skills like writing, reading, team work during drafting the resolution. I have participated in several MUN’s before, but this MUN was unique has we had students from various backgrounds which made me gain knowledge. The two-day event culminated successfully and I am proud that our department staged it and it paid off really well. I am looking forward IRMUN 2021. -LAKSHMI KARLEKAR-MAIS |