AMU: First ever workshop on Model United Nations (MUN) held

Sharjeel Usmani | November 09, 2016

Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation and/or academic competition in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. It has been a trending format of debating that is growing enormously in educational institutions across the globe.

The University Literary and Debating Club (UDLC) of Cultural Education Centre (CEC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) organized a workshop on Model United Nations (MUN) on 9th November, 2016.

The University Debating and Literary Club (UDLC) held a first of its kind workshop on Model United Nations, students actively participated.

Zulfiqar Sheth, a research scholar in Department of Economics (AMU) moderated the workshop. Mr Sheth is India’s delegate to International Youth Forums addressing humanitarian and global concerns. After participating in more than twenty-five prestigious conferences of international repute, including the Youth Assembly at the United Nations itself, Mr. Sheth is all set to teach the students of his campus this popular form of debating.

“It enhances public speaking, debating, diplomacy, problem solving and critical thinking”, said Mr. Sheth during the workshop. While the format was new to majority, there were few students –mostly from University’s Law School who had participated in the MUNs.

“It is all a new experience and sounds so interesting and I am looking forward to attend more similar programs”, said Kamran, a twelfth standard student in one of the schools associated with the university.

The workshop was held in the smart-classroom of Cultural Education Centre and two more workshops will be followed in coming days. The secretary of University Debating and Literary Club, Mr. Wajahat Jilani –a law student promised the participants of training people with the skills required for MUNs and also to send delegation of AMU students in national and international MUNS.

“This form of debating is gaining popularity around the world. While AMU has been gaining success in other formats of debates, participation in MUN would enhance our knowledge of world affairs and workings of the United Nations (UN) as an institution”, said Mr Jilani.