According to a news announcement posted on the UN website on December 26, the event took place on October 31, 2024, at the Humanities House of Thinkers. The simulated session involved around 200 Iranian professors and students from all over the nation. During the Model UN Conference, the participants acted as diplomats to simulate real-world problems and gain a better understanding of the crucial role of the UN and its General Assembly. A couple of weeks before the event, UNIC Tehran arranged a preparatory session.
Youth develop critical thinking in UN simulation
UNIC Tehran frequently collaborates on a range of outreach initiatives, such as Model UN Conferences, with Dr. Mehdi Zakerian, the head of the ISJ, and his staff, in addition to other national partners. While representing various UN Member States, participants also enhanced their diplomatic, negotiating, and communication abilities. The event’s main speaker, Stefan Priesner, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran, praised the organizers for bringing the UN closer to Iranian youth. He underlined the significance of comprehending international issues and diplomacy and said it was a joy for the UN to sponsor this significant youth-oriented initiative. During his time as Foreign Minister and current Vice President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, another eminent keynote speaker, discussed his personal diplomatic experiences and made important contributions to Iran’s foreign policy and international relations. The students were given an explanation by Ambassador Asadi, a seasoned Iranian diplomat with a wealth of multilateral negotiation experience who represented Iran in several UN bodies, regarding the details of Member State participation in General Assembly sessions.
Iranian teens excel in UN role-play
UNODC recently took part in a hybrid-formatted world conference on “Engaging Youth in Global Action” that took place in Tashkent from August 12–13, 2021. Over 500 young people and other delegates from over 30 nations attended this event. During the two-day conference, UNODC discussed its experiences with programs that enable kids to get involved in their communities, schools, and youth organizations to prevent drug use and criminal activity and to promote safety, health, and social cohesion. Young people can learn about the United Nations and hone critical communication skills through engaging in Model United Nations (MUN) activities. To assist MUN organizers who want to incorporate criminal justice and crime prevention concerns into their simulations, UNODC has created a guide. “A culture that upholds the rule of law is fostered in large part via education. To help the next generation recognize and deal with issues that could jeopardize the rule of law, we work with kids, teens, parents, and educators. According to Mr. Koen Marquering, the UNODC Program Coordinator for Central Asia, “This is where the Model UN comes in.”
Simulated UN Session Enhances Youth Skills
As a result, advisers delegated some responsibilities to students, such as setting up club meetings and fundraising events, while youth and adults shared accountability for other intellectual activities, such as locating sources and formulating strategies during committee hearings. Even while advisors were on hand to guide students through various assignments, the youth themselves made decisions on the club’s overall direction, the amount of time and effort to devote, and the arguments to be made. Clearly defining student leadership positions was a crucial tactic for assigning duties. Every spring, nine officers are chosen to organize club meetings and handle crucial administrative duties. For instance, the president of the assembly had to preside over sizable membership meetings with as many as 40 members in attendance, while the secretary-general was in charge of establishing the club’s yearly objectives.
Youth Build Critical Skills Through UN Simulation
Advisors urged younger students to run for these positions to lessen the impact of officer graduations. The officer corps for this study consisted of five seniors, two juniors, and two sophomores. For the departing officers to teach their successors, elections for new officers were held in February. Both new and departing officers attended many officers’ meetings during the March transition, and at a joyous “New Officer Training” gathering at a nearby restaurant, departing officers gave the newly elected leaders a detailed explanation of their duties, plans, and difficulties. Advisors also provided chances for all Model UN students to engage in additional leadership activities. For instance, Mr. Kendall organized “SPlaM,” or strategic planning meetings, twice a year. The secretary-general and Mr. Kendall set the agenda for these August and March meetings, which covered topics such as the club’s membership growth and the previous year’s activities.