5th edition of Model United Nations SAPMUN opens at SAPUC

Mangaluru: “More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations,” said Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

SAPMUN-St Aloysius Pre-University Model United Nations is an educational simulation of the United Nations. It provides a platform for the youth to acquaint themselves with global issues and propose realistic solutions. SAPMUN is a three-day educational conference where the simulation of national, international, legal, political, social and economic bodies takes place.

The three-day-long fifth edition of SAPMUN was inaugurated on 01 September 2023. The Chief Guest on the occasion was, Dr Derek Lobo, Retired Regional Advisor, South East Asia, and United Nations World Health Organization. He is an alumnus of St Aloysius College (Autonomous) and a recipient of the Eminent Aloysian Award 2007.

In his address, he urged the delegates to shift their focus from conventional occupations and embrace the role of global servants by considering employment opportunities with the United Nations (UN). He said the United Nations was established to promote peace and harmony explained the mandates of the UN programs and listed all the branches of UNO. He explained the difference between refugees and internal displacement. Dr Lobo said India is a youthful nation for it has 50 per cent of the population below the age of 25 and 65 per cent of the population is below 35 and felt that greater participation is expected from the youth in making the world a better place.

Presiding over the function was the Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Rev. Fr Melwin Pinto SJ. In his presidential address, he extended a warm welcome and heartfelt gratitude to all the officials of the Model United Nations (MUN) and conveyed his best wishes to the delegates. He emphasized the importance of collaborative learning, highlighting that as a team, they would acquire new knowledge and collectively seek solutions to global issues. He pointed out the multitude of dedicated units within the United Nations (UN) that work tirelessly for the betterment of the world.

Rev. Fr Melwin Pinto SJ stressed the role of being agents of change and global servants, emphasizing the absence of personal agendas. He encouraged everyone to step into the shoes of delegates from other nations, fostering empathy and understanding. In his speech, he brought attention to the plight of refugees, urging the audience to see the world from different perspectives and broaden their horizons.

The Principal of St Aloysius Pre-University College Rev. Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ welcomed all the delegates to SAPMUN 2023. Addressing the audience, he stated that our actions impact the world around us and we in turn are impacted by the world and we’ll be learning that in the next three days. In recent years, the model United Nations has become an important forum for discussions in schools and colleges. It has proved to be an excellent platform for students to reflect and debate.

MUNs are not just events it is a platform with nurtures unity along with other skills. He said that the challenges we face today require innovative solutions. He advised the delegates to listen, think, hear out other and then rethink again. He then emphasized the need for the delegates to be agents of change and urged them not to view themselves merely as students, but as individuals capable of making a significant impact. He cited inspiring examples like Malala and Greta Thunberg to illustrate the possibilities.

The Secretary General of SAPMUN 2023 Vinay Mayekar in his speech articulated the famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr ‘I Have a Dream.’ He asked the delegates to dream of a better world filled with harmony and compassion. He said that what we do here matters if we embrace a world without wars and where people work together. He concluded his address by saying that the fate of the world depends on us all.

SAPMUNs are of great importance as they are useful in improving, critical thinking, writing and teamwork skills. It has proved to be a platform for student to hone their skills. It is an excellent platform that allows youth to be vocal in today’s tumultuous world. They aid the youth in learning diplomacy and negotiation and improving their public speaking skills.

Over the next three days, delegates will discuss world problems and find ways to resolve problems in committees like the Lok Sabha, United Nations Women, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Security Council and International Press Continuous Crisis Committee and the wizarding world. The objective of the deliberations is to find ways to address issues of global concern.

Finance officer Rev. Fr Pradeep Sequeira SJ, Campus Minister Rev. Fr Anthony Derrick SJ, Vice Principals- Vilma Fernandes and Muralikrishna G M, Deans- Dr Pradeep M and Kiran Shetty and the staff coordinators Anisha Andrade and Sheethal Neeliyara, Jennifer Pinto and Arun Dsouza, Director General, Krish Chowta, and President of SAPMUN Rochelle Dsouza, Vice President Shloka Rai were present.

The president of SAPMUN 2023, Rochelle D’Souza welcomed the gathering. and the USG of PR and Sponsorships, Shridevi Joshy compered the event. The USG of Conventional Affairs, Jiya Rajesh proposed the vote of thanks.