Youth Talk

In this quote, I believe, is embedded the deepest essence of the work of the United Nations: ‘I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it’.

So, let’s take the word ‘disapprove’. Disapproval behaves as the greatest opposition to open discussion. And, essentially, this is the opposite of what MUNs should represent.

What I propose is that every school Model United Nations, (MUN), the activity in which students learn about diplomacy, international relations and the United Nations, including the one that we shall hold over the next two days, should promote the approval of all opinions.

The reason is clear, in order that we can contribute and comment upon leading issues that currently shape the society in which our generation exists and must thrive.

The idea of changing the world by speaking is what keeps me going. I feel that these days, people, probably including myself, are very bound to their beliefs.

What results is that in order to defend that point of view, they forget what their opinion stood for in the first place.

An MUN ends up being an event that provides a platform where discussions happen that widen up views and perspectives, where you get a chance to explore domains to mould decisions. It helps you evolve into a person who stands for his views but gives the other person an opportunity to express them. The best part about an MUN is that it allows the young to develop and progress in their own way.

At the St Christopher’s Model United Nations Conference this year, I found myself in the honourable position of director of this prestigious gathering. It was exciting to gauge how our efforts could translate into something new and fun for the delegates as they acknowledged the benefits beyond winning and tried to truly embrace all that ChrisMUN did offer.

It is these proud memories I shall pack in my luggage when I do take off to university. The overwhelming success of the new councils I was earlier anxious about introducing- UN Habitat, Federal Open Market Committee (a historical council of 2008) and the Medellin Drug Cartel (the first anti-MUN organisation!), plus the expansion of the event to the Year 9/Grade 8 to accommodate them in the ‘European Union’ and so many tiny achievements along the way.

This marked the end of my MUN career within the duration of my schooling and I hope to continue it at university, but nevertheless, the sadness and victory have dissolved together to provide me ‘memorable memories’.