DPSMUN 2005
Delhi Public School, R K Puram, organized DPSMUN - A Model United Nations Conference on the 26th, 27th and 28th November 2005 as a part of the global classrooms project of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA- USA), sponsored by Merrill Lynch.
The Inaugural Ceremony of DPS MUN 2005, held at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi on November 26th was graced by distinguished personalities who encouraged the participants and congratulated the organizers for pioneering such a unique endeavor towards the promotion of peace and harmony in the world.
Mr. Omar Abdullah, Member of Parliament, stole the show with his realistic and in depth analysis of global issues. He said that the "UN should reflect the world of today and not of the 1940's". He advised the delegates to enjoy themselves while at the same time make the most of this incredible opportunity presented to them in the form of DPS MUN-2005.
Dr. Eddy Bayardelle, Head Global Philanthropy at Merrill Lynch, visiting India for the first time, said that he liked it so much that he didn't want to leave!! He highlighted a different facet of the investment firm, saying "Finance is not only the core of Merrill Lynch but also the driving force of the world. We at Merrill Lynch believe in providing the opportunity to enable the underserved children of the world to become the ambassadors of tomorrow."
Dr. S. Chona, Principal DPS R.K. Puram, encouraging the aspiring leaders of tomorrow, said, "A man is born to live, to love and to lead. And when he leads, he leaves behind a legacy - a legacy born out of love."
Dr. Lucia Rodriguez, Vice President, Education at UNA-USA; His Excellency, Mr. Graeme Walters, High Commissioner of New Zealand; Mr. Rajiv Chandran, representative of India and Bhutan at the UNIC; Ms. Glenda Tesalona, Director of the Global Classrooms project, UNA-USA and Mrs. Renu Mittal, Director, DPS Society were also present. The conference was declared open by the MUN Secretary General, Arjun Kapoor.
5 organs of the United Nations were simulated in this conference, namely- The Security Council, The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and 3 General Assemblies: GA - I (Disarmament and international Security), GA - III (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Commission), and GA - Plenary. While the members of the Executive Board (comprising of Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Rapporteurs and the Crisis Staff), other Conference Services Staff & the members of the International Staff, were from Delhi Public School, R K Puram, 450 delegates from 80 schools across India, Dubai, Nepal, Sharjah & Singapore (Raffles Institution) participated in the 3-day conference.
The ensuing committee sessions during the 3-day conference saw animated debates in each of the rooms as the agenda topics were discussed, deliberated and resolutions were framed. In this program, students, acting as UN ambassadors, dealt with issues such as international security, development, human rights and environmental protection. They learnt to research, debate, discuss and resolve disputes over the UN's most challenging issues. It enabled them to adopt a multicultural view of global affairs and to absorb the essence of being global citizens, for ensuring international peace and harmony.
The highlight of the conference were, the mock international crisis situations introduced in the committees by the Crisis Affairs team that challenged a delegate's ability to adapt his/her knowledge and to test his/her presence of mind and common sense, in the role as an international dignitary.
Apart from that, the flash board put up by the International Press attracted a lot of attention as it prominently displayed hilarious public goof ups and blunders made by the participants, while lunch and tea was seen to be the favorite time to gossip and discuss important issues amongst the delegates.
DPS MUN-2005, came to a spectacular end on the 28th of November, with the closing ceremony, held at the India Habitat Center, this occasion was graced by the presence of eminent personages like Mr. Narendra Kumar- Chairman DPS Society; Dr. S. Chona - Principal DPS R K Puram; H. E. Mr. Vuk Zugic - the Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro; Mr. Michael Anderson - Minister Councilor for Public Affairs, Embassy of USA; Ms. Shalini Dewan - Director, United Nations Information Center (UNIC); Dr. Lucia Rodriguez - Vice President, Education, UNA-USA. The esteemed Chief Guest for the evening was Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri - Joint Secretary UN (ES), Ministry of External Affairs.
The closing ceremony saw the Secretary General summarizing the experience of DPSMUN 2005. He commended the delegates on their realistic committee sessions on issues of global importance such as food security, Security Council reforms, transfer of technology and actions against terrorism etc. He pledged to help the poor and the needy and to make this world a better place not just for ourselves, but also for the future generations to come.
All the guests and dignitaries gathered seemed to be very impressed with the professional and realistic manner the conference was organized and presented.
Dr. Lucia Rodriguez complimented DPS R K Puram, saying that, "No institution in the 21st century could be more prepared, than DPS R K Puram, to host such an event" she added,"I hope this conference helps you to look out side the box, beyond yourselves and open your eyes, minds and hearts to work towards a safer, cleaner and fairer world".
Mr. Michael Anderson- Minister Councilor for Public Affairs, Embassy of USA, praised the DPS MUN conference calling it, "Not only simulated but a simulating experience of the United Nations."
In the end, awards for the best delegates in the respective committees were given out where the highly coveted Secretary General's award was awarded to the delegations of USA - Raffles institution, Singapore; Russia - DPS Noida, UP and the Chinese delegation from Ramjas Public School, New Delhi for their overall brilliant performances in the conference. Although the delegation from Nicaragua, DPS RK Puram was adjudged to be one of the best, the host school solicitously declined the award. Today, every DIPSITE has already started dreaming of DPSMUN 2006...
