Model United Nations is an informal global structure, which unites more than 400,000 young people from all over the world. It is a small copy of UN, which operates as an independent world youth organization with its own history and traditions. Its conferences were held in Oxford, Cambridge, Hague and Budapest.
Not so long ado, 120 students and pupils from 30 countries, representing Model UN, came to Lviv. They held a conference «Using science, technologies and innovations for constant development» on the premises of two higher educational institutions – Ivan Franko Lviv National University and Lviv Polytechnic National University.
Professor Volodymyr Melnyk, Ivan Franko University Rector, opened the conference. He called the choice of the conference venue «a demonstration of support from young people all over the world for the fight of Ukraine against Russian aggressor». Volodymyr Melnyk stressed that our students were among those who fearlessly defended the European choice of Ukraine.
Rostyslav Zamlynskiy, first deputy head of Lviv regional state administration, also greeted Model UN representatives. He said, «Today Ukraine as well as the world community face the problem of security. That is why it is important that our country fells the support of UN in the fight against Russian aggression. In future, you will represent your countries on the international arena and discuss the security in the world. Therefore it is essential that you work out different ways of solving conflicts».
Further on, Model UN representatives continued their work in six different rooms in Lviv Polytechnic. The work was subdivided into committees. The committee for security, future security council (for preventing crisis), human rights council, UN development council had a separated Ukrainian committee.
Members of this public organization of young people have to be fluent in English. This is the major requirement. All the work is done without translators and interpreters. The practice of representing this or that country is also interesting. For instance, a Ukrainian cannot represent Ukraine, and a Pole cannot represent Poland. A Ukrainian can represent, for example, China, and a Pole can speak on behalf of France. This means that, before similar Model UN meetings, its members have to get a profound knowledge of the social, economic and political structure of the country they are going to represent.
We asked the guests of this forum what their personal motives for taking part in such conferences are. Most people said that they do it to widen their horizons, to get to know other countries, to improve their English, to acquire skills for future political or diplomatic career, to learn to debate in a civilized way. Each committee of Model UN has to adopt its resolution. However, as it turned out, these documents are not sent to the «adult» UN. Although, in our opinion, it would be a good idea for those, who are now responsible for the world order and security, to listen to the views of young people.
Such conferences are financed by sponsors.
