Students developed diplomacy and international cooperation skills from the International School, Suva (ISS) Model United Nations 2023 last week.

Schools that participated in the two-day Model UN (MUN) session included International School Nadi, Rishikul Sanatan College, Yat Sen Secondary School, Queen Victoria School, Jai Narayan College, Natabua High School, International School Suva, Adi Cakobau School, Marist Brothers’ High School, Suva Grammar School, and St Joseph Secondary School.

The students were part of the five main committees of the MUN which were the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, UN High Commission for Refugees and the Special Committee for Slavery and Human Trafficking.

The program, according to the UN, aims to build and maintain strong links between the UN and Model UN participants across the globe every year.

This year Rishikul Sanatan College participated for the first time in the MUN. Rishikul Sanatan College student Lavenia Tabua was excited to be part of the Model UN program this year.

Tabua said she was amazed at what she had learned about the UN in the two-day session.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and it was something that got me out of my comfort zone,” she said.

“One of the things that I learnt during the session was on aid assistance offered by the UN to developing countries like Fiji. We got a better understanding of what the UN does and its role not only in the Pacific but also in the world.”

Rishikul Sanatan College student Jessica Singh said she had helped her school be part of the MUN this year.

“Our principal, Mrs Rose Sharma has been very supportive towards us setting up a team for the MUN program and our team included our heads and deputy heads,” Singh said.

“I won the commendation award this year and I’m grateful towards ISS for allowing us to collaborate and produce wonderful ideas.”

Adi Cakobau School Year 13 student, Litiana Ranadirua has been a MUN participant for two years. Ranadirua said the MUN program was a good program where students like her could learn about diplomacy skills and international co-operation.

“I would like to encourage students, particularly high school students to get engaged in activities like the MUN program as it not only contributes to their academic development but also offers a good life skill in terms of building up their confidence,” she said.

United Nations resident co-ordinator to Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, Sanaka Samarasinha attended the first day of the session and shared stories of his experience of the UN system with the participants.