United Nations in Uzbekistan

Since 2005, Model United Nations has been an integral part of my life. Participating in this international programme has broadened my view of the world and my grasp of societal dynamics. Cultures that were previously foreign to me have become familiar, and my improved awareness of the UN’s inner workings has helped me to understand the organization’s vital role in the sphere of international affairs. Having achieved this enlightment, it is my hope to share it with my peers and other youth.

While attending the MUN Conference at Columbia University, I really wanted to share my perceptions, experiences and excitement with the youth of Uzbekistan. Despite my human need to sleep, by utilising the twin powers of motivation and caffeine managed to stay up until 6am to participate in a live Skype video chat with participants of a ‘UN Fridays’ event organised by the UN Information Office. It was quite fascinating to discuss the differences between MUN conferences in New York and Tashkent. I believe that this long-distance conversation highlighted the true international nature of the United Nations, in that despite the different formats, sizes and scopes of Model United Nations Conferences around the globe, they are all dedicated to promoting global peace and development. MUN’s ability to transcend geographical boundaries, races, cultures and ethnicities has made ita unique and globally-acclaimed programme.

Meeting in the Big Apple

It’s 6 pm in New York. The outside temperature is 6 degrees Celsius. The Alfred J. Lerner Hall at Columbia University is crowded with young people dressed in official business attire. With the sound of the CMUNCE 2012 Secretary General’s gavel, the Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition officially begins.

CMUNCE is considered to beone of the premier Model U.N. conferences in the United States, providing delegates from around the world unique experiences while participating in engaging committees. Currently in its eleventh year, the Columbia Model UN Conference has continued to grow in size and scope, and has this year welcomed 650 delegates from throughout the US and around the world. As I was informed by the CMUNCE 2012 Secretary General Ms. Heriselda Begaj, this year’s conference was the largest to date and the first to be attended by Uzbek youth.

As we prepared to settle into our roles for the weekend, wecherished the opportunity to interact and collaborate with such a diverse and dynamic group of peers. The cornerstone of the conference was the hard-working and enthusiastic delegates who were in attendance, the committed advisors who fostered the interests of the students, and certainly the Secretariat Officials and Staff who had worked passionately the whole year to create a weekend filled with engaging committees and exciting events.

With the breadth of committees ranging from the UN Security Council to the WikiLeaks Board of Directors, this eventwas different from other Model UN Conferences organised in Tashkent and around the world. All in all there were 25 committees at CMUNCE 2012. The simulation of the WikiLeaks Board of Directors as a separate UN Committee may seem new to students in Uzbekistan who have previouslytaken part in the MUN programme. However, one should remember that there are thousands of Model UN conferences in the world, all differing from each other and adapted to local conditions.The Model UN conferences conducted in Uzbekistan arethemselves quite similar to the Global United Nations Conference, in that they resemble the actual four UN General Assembly Committees, the Security Council, and other bodies of the United Nations.

New York City has again proved itself to be the city that never sleeps.This was evident in the sessions of crisis-driven committees which lasted until 1am.

When they weren’t taking part in committee sessions, the conference participants could enjoy the sights, events and activities that the quintessential metropolis had to offer. Most delegates were accommodatednearTimes Square, putting them in the centre of all the action and helping them to enjoy all the city has to offer. So, whether we were trying to save the world in our respective committees or enjoying all that makes New York City famous, we all enjoyed our stay in NYC and our participation at the Columbia Model UN Conference and Exposition 2012 was a great success.

Success is not measured by trips abroad, by attending youth events organized by Ivy League universities, or by making loud and eloquent speeches. Rather, real success is measured by what you bring back home; the positive change you bring to your community, to your society and to the lives of youth who are committed to ensuring progress and development both in Uzbekistan and around the world.