About Town: Looking beyond tomorrow

2009/10/23

IT was an unforgettable three days of debates, negotiations and resolutions the “United Nations Way” for 70 students of Taylor’s University College Model United Nations (TAYMUN).

An academic simulation of the United Nations, the conference aimed to educate participants about civics, effective communication, globalisation and multilateral diplomacy. Taking on roles as foreign diplomats, students researched a country, investigated international issues, debated, deliberated, consulted and developed solutions to world problems. Canadian High Commissioner to Malaysia David Collins, who launched the recent event, shared his experiences as a diplomat and spoke on the theme of change — how the world changed post-Cold War and the growth of multilateralism in today’s foreign policies. Among the resolutions the participants raised were Abolishing the Death Penalty and The Incorporation of Social Mobilisation in Acknowledging Gender Inequalities in National Responses towards HIV/AIDS. With one of the three committees being Disarmament and International Security, the issues of counter-terrorism and piracy at the Gulf of Aden were also hot topics of debates. The other two committees were Social, Cultural and Humanitarian; and the Security Council. Taylor’s University College vice chancellor and president Datuk Dr Hassan Said says: “We cannot teach a young person to have vision, but we can give him the tools to see beyond himself.

“Replicating the United Nations has given students a framework within which to express their ideas and move as parts of a functional system, and we hope to see more from this promising group.” TAYMUN president Kershia Tan Wei says club members are able to develop skills such as public speaking, group communication, research, policy analysis, active listening, negotiating, conflict resolutions, note-taking and technical writing. During the conference, writer and independent filmmaker Amir Muhammad shared his experience with the students. Some of Amir’s works have been featured in a number of international film fests including the Sundance Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. Amir also regaled the audience with excerpts from his book 100 Malaysian Words, a book that explained words commonly used in Malaysia and never elsewhere.