High school learners gear up for Model UN Conference
High school learners will participate in the 12th annual Model United Nations Namibia (MUNNAM) Conference on 5 and 6 November at the United Nations (UN) House in Klein Windhoek. Co-hosted by UN Namibia and the British High Commission, the event will gather 90 learners to simulate a UN General Assembly session under the theme "Advancing gender equality and women's empowerment: building sustainable societies globally".Delegates will represent 50 UN member states, engaging in debates and drafting resolutions on gender inequality and women’s empowerment. They will research their assigned countries' positions, prepare speeches, and practice diplomatic protocols. At the end of the two-day event, awards will be presented for Best Delegate, Best Speaker, Best Delegation, and Best School.
The Model UN programme, supported by the UN Namibia, the British High Commission, and the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, has empowered Namibian youth since 2012. It fosters critical thinking, public speaking, and international cooperation skills. British High Commissioner Charles Moore praised the participants’ professionalism, noting the programme’s role in honing diplomatic and public speaking abilities.
UN Resident Coordinator Hopolang Phororo highlighted the programme as a platform for young people to engage with global challenges, particularly through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative, which started with 60 students in 2012, has grown to include 95 delegates this year from 16 schools and youth organizations.
On 28 September 2024, a training session was held to prepare learners for the upcoming conference, covering research, writing, and formal UN procedures. As the conference approaches, Moore wished the delegates well, expressing anticipation for seeing the next generation of diplomats in action.