Students get a taste of the UN at mock UN council

The Central University of Kerala, Trivandrum, recently conducted the Model United Nations (MUN), an academic competition for students from across the country, in a simulated environment.
The mock UN assembly hall was set inside the college campus by the Department of International Relations and was attended by more than 60 students.
Representing high and low profile countries appeared challenging for the young delegates, but they came forward to represent different countries to debate on the topic of the Human Right to Water.
Suraj Rajan K, an International Affairs student at the Central University of Kerala, who was the secretary general of the mock council, says, “Through the MUN, students can learn diplomacy, international affairs and more about UN. The students play the roles of delegates of different countries here. With the impending danger of a perceived Third World War in the name of water, we decided to adopt it as the agenda for this summit.”
According to the faculty members who facilitated the event, the mock session will enable the students to develop practical knowledge about international relations. Lijitha T Thampy, faculty coordinator says, “We formulated the three-day session the same way it happens in the UN council; from the proceedings to the mode of communication, everything was followed. Students can learn to improve their negotiation skills.”
It was evident that the ‘delegates’ had done their homework for the event. While debating on the topic, they put forward a series of workable solutions to put an end to the water crisis. While some came prepared with facts and figures, others presented their thoughts on how new technology can be used to address the crisis. From the Indus water treaty to the current India-Pakistan tension, the debates reflected the delegates’ preparations.
Akash Anand, a third year electronics and communication student from College of Engineering, Chengannur, who played the chairperson says that the event helped the students to polish their communication skills. He says, “Some of the policies proposed by the delegates are so valid that it can actually outdo the real confrontations prevailing in the countries that they represent.”
Many participants were of the view that the event made them think out of the box. Joseph E George, a B-Pharm student of St. Joseph's College of Pharmacy, Cherthala, who represented China, says, “This particular event was different from other MUNs happening in Kerala, as the focus was not on the language alone but on the ideas, which is quite welcome.”
Vaidehi Soni, BA LLB student of National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi who represented France says, “Rather than just a debate, I consider this as a learning process where I could meet people from various backgrounds and expertise and discuss topics with them.”
Ivvan Lendil, who was in Kerala for the first time says, “Though a mock event, delegates should provide established facts to support their policies. Since I represented Pakistan, I came prepared with the political polices of Pakistan and it helped me frame practical strategies to ease the tensions prevailing between India and Pak. My proposals were welcomed in the summit too.”