The Nigeria Model United Nations University of Ibadan held its first general assembly themed “Model UN: Getting Started” on the 12th of February. The session, initially broadcast to hold at the Student Union Chambers of Kunle Adepeju building was moved to the Students’ Representative Council Room of Mellanby Hall.
The President of the society, Olamide Akinrinwoye opened the event with an introduction to the Model United Nations and its aims. She explained that the Model United Nations was a simulation of the United Nations that helped members to learn about a wide variety of subjects including diplomacy, international relations, global events, public speaking and critical thinking. She also elucidated that the first general assembly would consist of a series of sessions training members on the structure of the United Nations, as subsequent general assemblies would replicate the United Nations as far as possible.
The training sessions spanned four broad topics. The first was an introduction to the United Nations and its organs. The next session was on how to write a position paper—a one-page document outlining a country’s stance on a particular issue. The rules of procedure of the United Nations—also adopted by the Model United Nations—and the order of the General Assembly were explained by the President in the next session. The final part of the training was on how to write a resolution draft—a document containing all the issues a United Nations committee would like to solve and the proposed solutions.
The First General Assembly lasted about two hours and was adjourned to the next General Assembly which was to hold in a fortnight. Apart from the members of the Model United Nations, several observers were present at the proceedings. The next recruitment exercise for students willing to join the society would be early in the second semester, according to the President.
Aisha Ibrahim
