The Tribune

TOP students from 18 public and private Bahamian schools recently took part in the 17th Annual Model United Nations Session at the Breezes Resort on Cable Beach.

The session was sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas and organised in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It has been an annual event since 1997.

This year, more than 70 students participated from 11 Family Island schools and seven New Providence schools. Representatives from the Chinese, American and Cuban embassies also attended.

In the Model United Nations, students take on diplomatic roles for assigned nations in simulated negotiating sessions.

Participants research and formulate political positions based on the actual policies of the countries they represent. The presentations are adjudicated by a panel of judges.

This year’s judges were Stephen Aranha and Quincy Parker of the College of the Bahamas; Sharmie Farrington-Austin, data protection commissioner; and former assistant police commissioner Hulan Hanna.

The team from Grand Bahama’s Lucayan International School won top honours, followed by St Augustine’s College in Nassau and Sunland Baptist Academy on Grand Bahama. Each student team was judged on negotiating skills, accuracy and relevance of discussion, and the content of their presentations.

The morning session focused on protection of the right to privacy in the digital age, while the afternoon session debated whether migration was a positive factor for economic development.

“The goal of these sessions is to educate participants in civics, globalisation issues, communications and diplomacy,” said Carlos Smith, of the Rotary Club of New Providence, who was one of the chief organisers. “Rotarians recognise the value of MUNS to the young people who participate, and by extension to our community as a whole.”

Students are trained in peaceful conflict resolution, diplomatic negotiating strategies, and critical and analytical thinking and speaking skills, he added, while being exposed to complex international issues and different cultures. The sessions include formal debates as well as negotiating caucuses. Resolutions are drafted, debated, modified and ratified.

There are about 400 MUN conferences worldwide, the oldest being the Harvard University Model United Nations launched in 1951. Rotary International’s relationship with the United Nations dates back to 1945. Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status possible with the UN as a non-governmental organisation.

The first Model United Nations in the Bahamas was initiated by the Rotary Club of South East Nassau in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 years ago. On average, about a dozen senior schools participate from around the country each year. Teams are comprised of four students and two student advisors per school.

About 1,400 Bahamian students have participated in the programme since 1997. The winning school of each annual event is awarded an expense-paid visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, funded by the Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas.