Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) bachelor of arts students, Kurt Renvall, Sana Sohel, Nubwa Wathanafa and Saed Abu-Haltam, represented their university at the Harvard World Model United Nations Conference from March 18 to 22 in Melbourne, Australia.
The 2013 conference hosted more than 2,000 delegates from universities in 65 countries and has, for the first time, received an official endorsement by the United Nations through its Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
Referred to simply as “WorldMUN” by conference delegates, participants were grouped into teams that represented a selected country in debate and committees in order to draft policies, agreements and resolutions that grapple with current global issues such as the exploitation of migrant workers and foreign mining interests.
The KPU students represented Afghanistan and had to complete work ahead of their departure. “We had a position paper due on March 1, and the delegation got together whenever possible to catch-up on our topics,” explained Sana Sohel.
Each of the KPU delegates had previous experience with previous Model UN (MUN) events. “The experience will go a long way for me,” said Sohel.
“I have always been shy going up on stage and the MUN’s, over the years, have helped me build up my confidence. Furthermore, the experience will help develop critical thinking and peaceful conflict resolutions. I can use the skills gained in my everyday life.”
Abu-Haltam added that students who participate in MUN events “gain practical academic and public speaking skills and empathy and understanding for those who are more vulnerable in the world.”
“What impresses me most is the level of interest our team has in engaging other KPU students,” said Joshua Mitchell, director of student engagement, KPU. “MUN events require a great deal of organization and preparation, and it was a tremendous effort on their part to organize and lead the Kwantlen MUN event in addition to preparing for the WorldMUN in Melbourne all while carrying-on with their full-time studies.”
