Bhubaneswar: SAI Model United Nations 2018 (SAIMUN) is a great place to learn about United Nations. I am glad to say that students can deepen their knowledge and understanding on global challenges and learn how to tackle those through negotiations and debates,” said Consulate General of Japan, Masayuki Taga while inaugurating the 6th edition of SAIMUN at SAI International School here on Thursday.
Taga advised the students to show their ability and talent during the conference.
He also appreciated the rich culture and heritage of Odisha and suggested that a tourist triangle can be developed around Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar for visitors from Japan.
Taga also spoke about the Buddhist heritage sites of Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri and said better tourism infrastructure at these areas will help to draw Japanese nationals in hordes.
Hee expressed interest in students exchange educational programmes between Japan and Odisha and said he would explore such possibilities for future collaboration.
Taga also spoke about sponsorship programmes in Japan for foreign students and said that he would request the Student Exchange Programme Coordinator for Japan to connect with educational institutes of the state.
Around 500 national and 32 international delegates from 12 different countries like USA, Switzerland, Russia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Djibuti, Yemen, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Korea and India will discuss issues of global concern through deliberations and consensus.
Mathilde from Switzerland said, “As I am planning to do International Law, I feel this is a great platform to learn and I am sure the experiences in the next three days are going to give a lot of enriching experiences.”
Maoth Nabil from Yemen said, “I had heard about SAIMUN and so felt that this is a better place to experience the functioning of United Nations. SAI International School is a great school with excellent architecture and has nice rules and regulations which is very important for a student. I like meeting people from different countries.”
This year the international delegates interacted with students of Shri Harsha Memorial School for Deaf and Dumb and discussed United Nations ‘Sustainable Development Goals’. The students also had an enriching session with Suman Rath, a visually impaired resource person who briefed them about various career opportunities for differently-abled persons.
Hassan Dad Haliui from Afganisthan said, “My purpose of coming here is to learn whatever I can. I love the school, the ambience and the fact that all the students here can speak in English which is not the case in our country.”
SAIMUN 2018 has seven different committees like United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Security Council (UNSC), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO) and The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN).
At the inaugural ceremony, Secretary General of SAIMUN Priyanshu Mishra outlined the objectives and expectations and briefed the audience on its history.
The three-day conference will conclude on July 28.
