Make a difference
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
The YMUN members
|
Dayani Panagoda |
They are observant. They possess ideas and solutions. They are
willing to share these notions with others. Now they will be given the
opportunity to voice their opinions through the Youth Model United
Nations (YMUN) Conference 2011 which is ready to unfurl in Colombo on
December 17 and 18.
Organized by the Rotaract Club of Colombo North, the YMUN Conference
is a two-day long exercise on how young ideas can provide solutions to
global problems. With terrorist issues in one hand, environment
disasters on the other and economic crisis on another side, youth today
cannot turn a blind eye on the ascending problems in the world. They are
the future generation who will shoulder the burden if measures will not
be taken to solving these problems. They will have to take the blows
because they did not take a hand in voicing their opinion and pushing
the heads of nations towards looking at these issues in a more serious
angle. As future leaders of the world, youth need to get together and
ask themselves what they can do to make a difference.
Hector Gonzalez |
Neshan Gunasekara |
Adhil Bakeer Markar |
Subramaniam Sudhakaran |
This is what YMUN aims at in the upcoming conference. The event gives
youth an opportunity to go beyond just asking questions. Youth will be
able to consider, analyze and envision solutions while gaining an
insight into the workings of the United Nations and the dynamics of
international relations by assuming the roles of UN representatives and
members of other international bodies and national cabinets. Themed
‘Respecting Rights, Respecting Lives’, this event will be a pioneer in
the field of MUN and the first of its kind of programme to be held in
Sri Lanka.
“The event will provide a platform for youth and university students
to debate issues that confront world leaders. Participants will develop
ability to work with others who are equally motivated and passionate
about the subjects that are being discussed at the event. Special
attention will also be focused on issues pertaining to reconciliation
since Sri Lanka is emerging from three decades of terrorism,” said YMUN
Secretary General Adhil Bakeer Markar.
He also said that over 10 workshops will be conducted in Colombo,
Kandy, Galle, Matara, Gampaha and Kurunegala to familiarize Sri Lankan
youth with the protocols followed by the different committees on the UN.
“The younger generation can not only be responsible but they would also
know how to take their policy to the world. They will realize on how to
make an impact. The nations need to give heed to the ideas of youths,”
Rotary District 3220 Sri Lanka New Generations Director and National
Language and Social Integration Ministry Advisor Dayani Panagoda said.
Speaking at the event US Embassy Outreach Officer Hector Gonzalez
said that the event has its heart and head in the right place.
“They have the drive to make this work and now they have located the
people to set this project in motion,” he said. Weeramantry
International Centre for Peace Education and Research and Training for
Trusteeship Project Director Neshan Gunasekara said that a lot of
nations are facing post conflict development. He stressed that the youth
need to enhance their skills to reach full potential.
“The YMUN conference is a unique event and opens new avenues for the
youth,” said 3220 Sri Lanka District Rotaract Representative Subramaniam
Sudhakaran. wMore than 250 youth representatives from across the globe
will gather at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, for the YMUN
Conference. Students from the Jaffna, Colombo, Kelaniya, South Eastern,
Moratuwa and Open Universities will take part. A 25 member delegation
form Nottingham University, Malaysia, and a delegation from Cambridge
University, UK are also expected. Youth between 18 and 30 can take part.
YMUN is accredited by the Higher Education Ministry, the American
Embassy and the Training for Trusteeship Programme of the Weeramantry
International Centre for Peace and Research. |