It was Friday March 5 2010. A dawn of a new day when Colombo Model United Nations (CO -MUN); officially the world's fifth largest student-run model UN Conference, assembled at the Overseas School of Colombo, (OSC) once again simulating the roles of diplomats to educate students about civics, globalization and multilateral diplomacy, to investigate international issues, debate, and then, develop solutions to global issues.
L to R: Dasun Abeysekera - DGM of Aspirations Education, Ajith Abeysekera - Chairman of Aspirations Education, Michael Chappel - Principal of Colombo International School (CIS), Megumi Yamamoto and SungWon Yun of CIS, Deepamala Abeysekera - GM of Aspirations Education. |
Aspirations Education was the Platinum Sponsor and Strategic Partner of the CO-MUN 2010. Aspirations being a proud signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, supported CO-MUN- the stu dent-run simulation of the UN since Aspirations thought the forum would serve as an ideal platform for the youth of Sri Lanka and students from around the world to come together on a common mission, empowering them through education to join hands and voice and express their opinion at local, national and international levels.
The theme of CO-MUN 2010 conference was "Human Trafficking". Today, it is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world with the total annual revenue for trafficking in persons estimated to be between USD$5 billion and $9 billion.
Human trafficking across international borders requires cooperation and collaboration between states if it is to be tackled effectively. A need of the hour is that all resolutions passed on this topic at this year's conference will be submitted to the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
"Human beings are not property. Let us reaffirm the inherent dignity of all men, women and children. And let us redouble our efforts so that the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - 'no one shall be held in slavery or servitude' - ring true." - Kofi Annan.
The Organizing Committee of CO MUN 2010 |
The organizing committee of CO-MUN 2010, highlighted the nature and magnitude of this year's conference. The mood was thick with aspirations and ambitions: a fledgling committee, making new friendships, coming together with a common objective, to drive forward something they were all passionate about - making a change, the diplomatic way.
The opening ceremony was graced by Mrs. Areta William; Principal of OSC, Chief Guest Mr. Mohammed Abdike; Head of Anti trafficking Unit of IOM Sri Lanka, and Mr. Ajith Abeysekera, Chairman of Aspirations Education.
Miss Deepamala Abeysekera; General Manager of Aspirations Education, addressed the gathering at the opening ceremony.
"We can talk about human trafficking, human rights, and human dignity and participate in conferences like Model United Nations in exclusive premises like OSC and Water's Edge, because of the grave violations of human rights that exist in today's world.
In the name of suffering people, we can win delegate awards, can bond with each other to create stronger bonds of friendships and network in high calibre conferences such as these. In the name of these issues, we can strengthen and develop our personalities and eventually be recognized as promising leaders, enhance our resumes and eventually seek greener pastures.
But just ask yourself that one question. How true and genuine are we to the cause? And if we are genuinely concerned, and true to the cause, and if you practise what you preach, then how you conduct yourself in life will be no different to the way you conduct yourself within the walls of this conference. Then it is not trivial to participate in such conferences.
| Human beings are not property. Let us reaffirm the inherent dignity of all men, women and children. And let us redouble our efforts so that the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - 'no one shall be held in slavery or servitude' - ring true - Kofi Annan |
In fact such healthy debate and action is the only way forward. Only a group of such people will be able to take this country forward, take the world forward…" she said.
During this conference, over 500 student delegates representing different UN member nations debated on numerous regional and international issues making this a democratic network of the young. It was indeed a roaring success, with all participants leaving satisfied with the experience.
While all of them were grateful for the fulfilling experience of stimulated diplomacy, and the great opportunity to make new friends with people of the same interests, some of them also took home great accolades they had won during the conference.
Among the many awards, the Best School Award and the Best Delegation Awards took a dignitary place. The Delegation of Brazil, consisting of students from Colombo International School, and the Delegation of UK, consisting of students from Wesley College, clinched the Best Delegation Awards, while CIS clinched the overall Best School Award.
After a two day intellectually stimulating experience, the closing ceremony was held on Sunday March 7 2010 at Water's Edge Battaramulla.
The organizing team thanked every single individual who assisted them in making CO-MUN 2010 the success it was, with a special note of acknowledgment being extended to the Faculty Advisors and the Principal of OSC.
At the closing ceremony, Mr. Dasun Abeysekera, the Deputy General Manager of Aspirations Education also addressed the gathering. A noteworthy statement, where he said "However, what I would ask of you here is to use the four-step framework of inquiry and question the problems that are all around you.
Why are there so many wars around the world? Why are once thriving European economies collapsing like nine pins?
Why are so many losing their hard-earned wealth in financial schemes and bursting bubble economies?
Why are there so many earthquakes and tsunamis?
Why, after Lincoln, Gandhi, and Mandela, are we still talking about human trafficking and modern-day slavery?
Are these a result of economic cycles? Weather cycles? Natural selection? Or are these man-made disasters?
If each one of us does not take the time to find the root causes of these problems, which are devastating mankind at an unfathomable pace, we will never find answers to these questions and we will never discover the solutions to these problems.
I believe that these challenges exist to push humanity into greater heights of awareness, for the creative spirit in man is relentless and will strive to conquer the problems of the day to create a better tomorrow; and the problems of today are so vast and diverse that it will literally, like I said earlier, literally demand each of us to awaken the genius within!"
It is with a similar objective and a similar vision of creating responsible citizens who will lead Sri Lanka to the next dimension with their inspiring leadership skills, that 'Aspirations Education' broke new ground with their initiative in pioneering two education-based reality TV programmes in 2007 and 2008; 'Pathbreakers'.
Mixing elements from the tried-and-tested Television Quiz format with the ever-popular Reality Show, Pathbreakers season 1 involved undergraduates from leading educational institutes in the field of business and management in Sri Lanka who simulated the role of "Management Consultants" to an organization's Board of Directors, while season 2 featured school-goers who competed with each other through a series of challenges that demand skills.
Needless to say the television series provided them the opportunity to showcase their intelligence, innate talents, enhance leadership qualities, their spirit of teamwork and prove themselves in an environment they had to cooperate with each other.
Aspirations Education being a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, its principles have become a part of our strategy, culture and day-to-day operations from inception.
Aspirations being an establishment of high integrity, theirs is a widely visible commitment to the implementation, disclosure, and promotion of the UN Global Compact's ten universal principles throughout our operations and sphere of influence. |
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