Students participate in 49th Model United Nations conferences held in Coimbatore

They spoke on hot topics of international concern, ranging from Weaponization of Space, religious aspects of the Arab Spring and acquisition of transnational resources for the countries which are short on them, among others.
Heated debates took place at the General Assembly and the Security Council with delegates from Asia, Europe and Latin America not giving each other any respite.
Only this was not your seasoned delegates, but a group of college students, who havebeen carrying out these simulated sessions every year, with great results.
In the fourth year since its inception, there were over 260 students from 30 colleges across the country discussing issues of potential international concern, in the year 2030. The response was overwhelming, even with students having exams round the corner.
“These Model United Nations Sessions are always a fantastic experience, and even with many students having their exams at this time, there was a phenomenal response, especially with online registrations coming in thick and fast. This is my 49th MUN session in three years, and these sessions not improve your knowledge levels and place a lot of emphasis on current affairs, but also serve as a good medium to network with like-minded youngsters from some of the finest colleges in the country. This will be my last MUN, and after having participated in so many sessions, my goal is now to join the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and take this up as a career itself,” says Ameya Naik, a law student from Mumbai, who was participating in the city for the third time.
There were a lot of local students who won acclaim for their poignant and well- researched debates in the three-day session, winning awards from the Executive Board, who moderated the discussions.
“This has been my second MUN session, and participating in this conference has improved my diplomatic skills to a great extent. Platforms like the MUN give you an idea of the challenges involved in forums like the United Nations, and my confidence levels have definitely improved, apart from my penchant for research,"” says an ecstatic Dhriti Nadir, a first-year student.
For others in their final year of study, this was the final session that they would participate in, evoking a sense of nostalgia and bringing a lot of good memories.
“I was apprehensive when I participated in my first session two years ago, but I have a habit of reading the papers and keep myself well-informed on international affairs. I have participated as a delegate of the USA in sessions in Chennai, Bangalore, Manipal and Delhi too, and have got to learn a lot from other participants, apart from developing a good network of friends as well. This being my last such conference, there is a lot of nostalgia, and I'm happy I managed to leave with a bang, winning a high commendation award,” says an emotional Sabarathinam Selvaraj, final year student from a city college.
With over 100 MUNs being held all over the country, budding diplomats and Security Council members get a virtual platform to debate on issues not just of national significance, but find solutions to matters of international crisis.