A glimpse of Sri Lanka Model United Nations 2018
View(s):Sri Lanka Model United Nations (SLMUN) is a platform created to foster diplomacy, critical thinking and debate skills within the youth. In 2008, SLMUN was born, and in 2018 it stands as the largest student run Model United Nations in the entirety of Asia. At SLMUN, the core objective is to nurture a sense of diplomacy and negotiating skills within the youth to create true, fair and solution-based leaders.
Under the central theme ‘Redefining Global Diplomacy’ the 11th Session of SLMUN was held from the 30th August to the 2nd of September at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. At this conference one would have witnessed the potential of many youngsters to be impactful journalist, inspirational speakers, businessmen and businesswomen, lawyers, and yes even politicians! The 3 days of conference gave the delegates a framework to improve their diplomatic thinking skills and guide them on a path of being solution-based leaders regardless of background and age. What was truly remarkable was the discipline and maturity that was shown through young leaders. Through connecting the youth at the conference, SLMUN hopes to create a better tomorrow.
This year SLMUN partnered with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to promote the End Violence campaign. Representatives of UNICEF showed the delegates the need to end bullying and ragging and any form of violence against children in school. This was an issue that many delegated related to and was particularly passionate about finding solutions. More than 600 delegates committed to end any form of violence against children and to keep finding practical actions to solve this issue.
The success of the conference rested upon the competent shoulders of the Secretary General, VenuriKalinga with the help of our Charge D’ Affairs Mr Rohan Ellawalla whose commitment to SLMUN is commendable as it’s not always the easiest of jobs to take care and guide a bunch of teenagers.It is safe to state that the conference would have been a less that what it was meant to be if not for Ms Kalinga and MrEllawallas constant guidance and direction. Ms Kalinga along with the Secretariat which comprised ofDimuth Fernando – USG of Administration, Alanna Gunasekara – USG of Conference protocol and committee affairs, Ashen Lowe – USG of Finance and Muqaddasa Wahid – the USG of News and Media was responsible for upholding an even higher level of standard.
SLMUN is known for reaching out and spreading awareness about diplomacy throughout the country. As such, in the year 2018 they held workshops in Galle, Kandy, Gampaha, Kiribathgoda, Negombo as well as Colombo. Before the conference there were two practice debates held on the 11th and 18th of July at the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology, Hyde Park, Sri Lanka and the main workshop was held at Ladies College, Colombo on the 5th of August.
Moreover, SLMUN had two partners in the year 2018 :UNICEF and UNESCO. The main sponsor of the conference was Port City and the print media sponsor was Wijeya Newspapers and the official youth magazine partner was the Chokolaate Magazine.
During the 3 days 8 committees were simulated, namely; General Assembly Plenary chaired by Shashindra Jayakody, Amasha Samarasinghe, DasuniJayawickrama and Vishwa Caldera; United Nations Environmental Programme headed by Randula Abeyweera, Varuni Muthukutti and Manilka De Fonseka; Security Council chaired by Chalaka Wijenayake and Sanudi Battage; United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund chaired by Malaka Samarasinghe, Meleeza Rathnayakeand Nuwani De Silva; United Nations Human Rights Commission headed by YasithAmarasinghe, Andrew GooneratneandKividiKoralage as Rapporteur; Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific headed by Ibrahim Bin Iqbal and Shaquille Balasooriya; International Organization for Migration chaired by Shimar Ahamed, SidrahYooseph and AfraAzhar and World Intellectual Property Organization chaired byRoosindu Peris andShaamilShakeer.
In addition, International Press Corps was simulated for the 4th year recording the highest number of delegates yet. The committee was headed by Amana Iflal who was Editor in Chief and Muqaddasa Wahid. The rest of the team consisted of Leon Abeykoon, Matthew Milhuisen, Bevan Perera, ShenaliPerera, Anjalee Ranasinghe, Chethasi Kudagamage, SasankaMeegamaarachchi, Kaif Sally and Jonathan Cruse. The annual magazine -’The MUNer’- was also published by the News and Media team for SLMUN 2018.
The Director of Logistics for the conference was YuvinPremarathnewhile ChamoodiGunarathna was his deputy. Tharuka Cruse was the Director of Public Relations,Shamin Fernando: Head of logistics, SahanDharmasena: Head of Operations, Giovanni Fernando: Head of Technical Affairs, Kishan Kumar: Head of IT and Design, ErronRagell: Head of Admins, DushanWanigasinghe: Head of Outreach, Amasha Fernando: Head of Accounting and registration,Senuki Devangi: Deputy Head of Operations, LankanathGunawardhana: Head of Control Room, Yashodha Warnakula: Head of conference coordination and Shevan Mendis who was Head of Finance.
In conclusion, the conference as a whole can be summarized through the words of Barack Obama who says, “in a world of complex threats, our security and our leadership depend on all elements of our power – including strong and principled diplomacy”. The delegates if anything learnt to solve issues of global importance in a diplomatic manner. SLMUN encouraged young minds from all over the country, creating in them a need to find solutions and a burning desire to take every possible small step towards global peace and unity.- Shenali Perera and Jonathan Cruse.