My Fascinating Experience from Uganda Model United Nations 2017
Uganda Model United Nations -UMUN is annual event organise and hold by United Nations Association of Uganda-UNUA. UMUN 2017 conference was an exceptional event of three days, 19th and 21st October, at the International University of East Africa-IUEA, Kampala; 0ver 20 young people, mostly students, representing countries in the Security Council participated the UMUN. These smart youth, delegates, were representing different UN Security Council members including the United Kingdom, China, Russia, Unites States, France, Syria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Italy, Japan, Germany, Bolivia, Uganda and others. Uganda Model United Nations 2017 was a simulation of the Security Council under the theme of Refugee Crisis: Youth in Global Peace attainment; however, it was my heights honour and greatest privilege to represent the Arab Republic of Syria with my co-delegate, Mawa Denis. We had played the roles as ambassadors, delivered speeches, prepared draft resolutions, negotiated and lobbied with historical and strategic allies and adversaries, and navigated the Model UN conference rules of procedure. Although it was my first time to attend MUN, there should be expectations and experience I had gained from UMUN 2017.
I had numerous expectations from Uganda UN Model conference, and luckily I accomplished most of them. These expectations were including interacting different young people, sharing ideas with them, networking, public speaking, exploring UN security council procedures, Lobbying, adopting resolutions, establishing cooperation and competitive environment with fellow delegates and as well as scoring one of the best delegations.
UMUN took place for three days with amazing experiences; usually, the first day there is opening ceremony and introductions. Most of the delegates including me delivered position papers under a theme of the conference “Refugee Crisis: Youth in Global Peace attainment”. Also, there was a formal debate where the delegates’ rise and table motions, answer questions and introduced and debated resolutions. On that day, we had shared views and debate about the Syrian refugee crisis, the state of economic immigrants in Europe and the refugee influx in Uganda. On the second day, all delegates had moderated and unmoderated caucus discussion. We were divided into three caucus discussion with three different topics; Global Peace and Security, Refugee crisis in relation global peace and SDGs Realisation and youth empowerment. As I was the head delegate of The Arab Republic of Syria, I and my delegation joined the caucus three as the chair allocated which was SDGs Realisation and youth empowerment. During the discussions we both drafts and amended resolutions which finally voted and adopted by the house, Security Council simulation. Furthermore, on the third day of UMUN, there were formal discussions on the war of South Sudan, and the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. Since it was the last day, we hard interesting closing ceremony full of cultural events; the delegates and observes were dresses in the cultural attire of their respective countries. H.E Rosa Malango, the UN resident coordinator was the guest of honour; therefore, she delivered an inspiring speech to the house. Finally, I was awarded the best delegation Award since I had shown an extraordinary work and commitment in the house.
In closing, I had gained a lot of experiences that inspired me to engage future MUN at a global level. UMUN left our minds unforgettable memories, experience, interesting discussions and speeches. Everything I witnessed from UMUN had a significant impact on my career. Truly speaking, UMUN Conference promoted our awareness of international affairs, and also inspired us to understand global challenges of the world and how to combat them with diplomatic means. Finally, My huge thanks and appreciation goes to the UMUN 2017 chair; Destiny Chaiga was the president, Angela Obel was the Director-General while Timothy Kimera was the Secretary-General. I also thank my co-delegate Mr Mawa Denis and all UNAU team including Richard Baguma, Linda Asaba, Asa Luganda, Julius Kato, and Suuna Pius.
