Helping Students Become Ambassadors
In preparation for the MUN conference to be held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) on Saturday the 26th of November, the UNIC Tashkent conducted a training workshop for 20 delegates on Wednesday the 23rd. The event was beneficial to both the UNIC partners and the MUN delegates, as it gave UNIC staff an opportunity to meet with delegates, while the delegates could improve their understanding of the conference and gain new knowledge that they would soon require. The workshop was conducted by communications specialist of the UN Information Centre Utkirbek Tadjimov, with the support of other UN staff.
In order to obtain an understanding of how much the participating delegates knew about the MUN conference, Mr Tadjimov began the workshop by asking for a definition of the conference. The answer he received, that the event was a simulation where students have the opportunity to represent different nations in a recreation of the organs of the United Nations, indicated that the participants already possessed a good fundamental understanding of the conference’s purpose. This was a promising start for the workshop.
UNIC began the session with a brief history of the MUN programme in Uzbekistan. Organizers also highlighted that during the year from 2010 to 2011, multiple MUN conferences were held throughout Uzbekistan in institutions ranging from universities to schools and specialised gymnasiums. He stated that a MUN tradition has been strongly developed in Uzbekistan, and will continue to play an important role in the nation for years to come.
Having addressed the MUN’s purpose and its national history, UNIC then provided a detailed overview of how a MUN conference is conducted. It was reinforced that MUN is a simulation of the methods used by the United Nations to develop resolutions and therefore address the world’s most topical issues and problems. This means that each MUN delegate must respect a number of rules, including the need to represent their country and not themselves, and the need to follow proper United Nations etiquette and procedures. Presenters took care to elaborate how a MUN debate should be conducted, particularly in regards to the ‘vocabulary’ that must be used by MUN delegates and officials.
By the end of this part of the workshop, the event’s participants had learnt a whole new set of words which would be crucial to their successful participation in the upcoming MUN conference. They learnt what is meant by a position paper, by a resolution, how delegates and chairpersons should be properly addressed and how to make statements in the form of points and motions. They also became acquainted with the importance of decorum and respect during MUN debates, and the way that informal caucusing should be carried out. To reinforce the information, every participant received a worksheet that tested their knowledge of the terminology and procedures used during UN debates. The insightful comments and statements offered by the workshop’s participants demonstrated their clear understanding of the MUN’s purpose and inner workings.
In a final but important statement, it was highlighted that the purpose of a MUN conference is not to establish as many resolutions as possible, but rather to create a single resolution that represents a convergence of different ideas and concepts into a single solution. By creating such a document the MUN’s participants will have fulfilled the UN’s must fundamental purpose; to promote compromise and harmony in order to find constructive ways to address the world’s problems.
After the workshop’s completion, the floor was opened up to the delegates who had taken part in previous MUN conferences, so that they may offer advice to those new to MUN. The three-time delegate Dilfuza Kurolova suggested that the MUN should be considered a unique opportunity to take a creative approach to dealing with global issues. Previous MUN delegate and UNIC colleague Artyom Tchen supported Dilfuza’s comments by stating that creativity is a fundamental part of MUN debating, while he also addressed the importance of preparing resolutions, debate questions and position papers in advance. Mr Tchen commented that quoting actual resolutions and international treaties can give delegates a competitive edge, while they should take full advantage of the ability to pass notes during proceedings.
Maqsud Ibodullayev, who participated in the MUN conference in 2010 and has also travelled overseas to attend GMUN, said the conferences offer delegates a unique chance to become acquainted with the countries they are representing while developing their knowledge of International Relations diplomacy. He said that MUN represents the best possible opportunity for students to hone their negotiation skills. Aziz Elmurodov, who will be the chairperson during Saturday’s conference, once again highlighted the event’s opportunity for creative thinking while emphasising the importance of preparation.
Following the presentations by veteran MUN delegates, the UNIC reinforced the importance of the MUN as a chance to practice international diplomacy and negotiation skills in a realistic situation. Last but not least he offered his appreciation for the effort contributed by the event’s delegates, and wished them luck in the conference. The organizers left UWED confident that the delegates were ready to get the most out of the upcoming MUN conference.