We are United Nations
This was the motto of delegates of mini-Model United Nations – New Silk Way, which was held on February 6, 2015 at Kazakh National University named after al-Farabi within the UN hub by Academic Impact. More than 100 students from 30 universities in Almaty, Astana, Petropavlovsk, as well as Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan attended in the mini-Model United Nations.
Dean of the Faculty of International Relations Professor Shakirov K.N. opened the solemn ceremony. Student-delegates supported by representatives of the UN in Kazakhstan and other international organizations, and akimat of Almaty city. Director of the Information Department of United Nations in Kazakhstan Vlastimil Samek noted that in 2015 the United Nations celebrates its 70-th anniversary, that he “considers the delegates of mini Model UN conference as future partners who learn to lead professionally international negotiations, debate on actual issues, understand rules and procedures of United Nations”. He said that the slogan “We are UN!” means that «We are yoUNg, We are UNited!», highlighting two letters in the words “youth” and “union» – United Nations. Professor of Columbia University Rafis Abazov reminded that UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the importance of building leadership skills among young people, especially the ability to be diplomatic, to find compromises in the relationship between people and nations. Director of UNAI hub for sustainability Galia Ibrayeva said that the model UN opens new horizons for the participants, also the president Nursultan Nazarbayev suggested the idea of a UN hub in Almaty, and Model UN participants – is the future professional diplomats with active life position, worthy to represent the country in international structures.
Within the framework of a mini-Model United Nations, there were organized three committees: General Assembly, Security Council, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Delegates seriously discussed issues of cyber security, ways and methods of solution of misunderstandings between people of different religions, mechanisms to eliminate and prevent mental disorders of children and adolescents. Chairman of the organizing committee of Model United Nations, undergraduate student of Kazakh National University Rano Yusupov said that the atmosphere of business communication, inspiration and excitement, which prevailed during the discussions, convinced her interest on diplomacy and international relations. Student of the Faculty of International Relations from Afghanistan Ahmad Wali Ahmad Yar as moderator of UNICEF Committee, said that the discussed problem is important for his country, where children have witnessed of hostilities and have got psychological trauma. At the closing ceremony of mini-model United Nations participants were awarded by certificates by representatives of the UN, as well as the best delegates were awarded, they are – Gani Masimhan, Madi Saken, Arman Utegenov.
The next International Model United Nations – New Silk Way – which is the largest in South Asia is planned for 1-3 May 2015 on the basis of Kazakh National University named after al-Farabi.
