Model UN Conference attracted great interest
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Our university hosted the Model United Nations (UN) Conference, where young minds demonstrated their diplomatic skills and sought solutions to global problems. The event, jointly organized by our University’s Career and Development Society and Debate Society and Beylikdüzü Social Sciences High School students, reinforced the role of students in international relations and inspired the leaders of the future.
Our university hosted an important event between April 19th and 21st. The Model UN Conference, organized in cooperation with our University’s Career and Development Society, Debate Society and Beylikdüzü Social Sciences High School, offered an excellent platform for young minds to showcase their diplomatic skills. The event brought together high school students from all over Istanbul. Approximately 400 students from 50 high schools, including high school students from outside the city and well-established educational institutions in Istanbul such as Galatasaray High School and Kabataş High School, came together. Students representing different countries sought solutions to global problems at the meetings of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the African Union, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Security Council as well as at the meetings titled “1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War (93 War)” and “French Revolutions: National Convention of the Period of Terror (1793)”
Our university’s booth attracted great attention
Our university’s promotional booth at the conference became a source of information for students. Students received information about our university’s academic programs and scholarship opportunities. Counselors who provide guidance to students for their future educational lives were also present at the booth.
UN Security Council Emergency Meeting Simulation
The part of the conference that attracted the most attention was undoubtedly the simulation of the UN Security Council Meeting. Students discussed the crises in the Middle East and the Caucasus at the simulated UN Security Council Emergency Meeting. Each student acted like a true diplomat, defending the policies and views of the country they represented.
The first item discussed at the emergency meeting was the Palestine and Gaza issue. While the student, who was an Israeli delegate, claimed that Israel had the right to commit atrocities in the war, delegates from Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Iran defended Palestine. Delegates of some countries, led by the USA, defended Israel’s actions as justified. Delegates of other countries took a neutral stance.
The second item the Council discussed was the Karabakh issue. While the Armenian delegate argued that they were victims, the delegates of Azerbaijan and Türkiye argued that the incident was a response to the genocide that occurred approximately 30 years ago and that Karabakh belonged to Azerbaijan.
Heated discussions took place during the simulation, which lasted three days and consisted of a total of nine sessions. The simulation provided students with valuable experience in international relations and diplomacy.
During the event, students not only improved their academic and diplomatic skills, but also had fun with social events. The friendships established and shared experiences among the participants took their place among the unforgettable moments of the event at the end of the conference.
It was noted that the Model UN Conference is of great importance in terms of improving young people’s ability to express themselves on international platforms and find solutions to important issues. Our university’s hosting of such events not only provides students with theoretical knowledge but also practical experience.
