DPSMUN 2006
The third annual Delhi Public School (R.K. Puram) Model United Nations, DPSMUN 2006, was held between 2nd and 4th December, 2006, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. More than one hundred schools, including nine from outside India, participated in this event, while the number of delegates was more than six hundred.
DPSMUN 2006, just as the previous two DPSMUN conferences, was supported technically and financially supported by the Global Classrooms program of UNA-USA, which is globally sponsored by Merrill Lynch, under the MUNGLO Award. Global Classrooms has been responsible for the training of the executive board and the conference staff, as well as the delegates themselves. In fact, in August 2006, Glenda Tesalona, the Director of Global Classrooms, UNA-USA, held a training program for the delegates and the teacher advisors from over 75 schools at DPS, R.K. Puram itself.
Model United Nations is basically a simulation of the United Nations, allowing students to step into the shoes of today's diplomats and discuss various issues of international concern. The entire conference was divided into six simulated committees, the General Assembly, the Security Council, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Economic and Social Council, the UN Development Program, and the Human Rights Council.
The Chief Guest at the Opening Ceremony was Union Minister for Science & Technology and noted lawyer, Mr. Kapil Sibal. Addressing the delegates and the teacher advisors, he pointed out that most of the topics to be discussed over the three days, such as Freshwater Resources, Torture, Social Responsibility of the Private Sector, Security Council Reform etc were of critical importance to the world and would enhance the students' understanding of today's world. Also present were Mr. Ashok Chandra, Chairman of DPS Society; Lucia Rodriguez, Vice President of Education, UNA-USA; and Glenda Tesalona, Director, Global Classrooms, UNA-USA.
Over the course of the next three days, the delegates debated, discussed, caucused, and wrote resolutions on their topics, besides dealing with "crisis situations." They were judged on their ability to negotiate, think and listen; and awareness of international politics, the agenda topic being discussed, and their country's foreign policy on the issue. The Executive Board members, who were observing the delegates throughout the conference, were given complete autonomy on judging the best delegates and the best position papers.
During the course of the three days, Ms. Glenda Tesalona held several sessions with the teacher advisors on how to organize an MUN conference. Moreover, the International Press reported on the proceedings of each committee, interviewed delegates and teacher advisors, and brought out a daily newsletter, "the DPSMUN Clarion."
The awards for the Best Delegate, Best Position Paper, Best Country Profile, and the Best Delegation were announced in the Closing Ceremony. The delegations of the USA, the United Kingdom, Russia, Spain, and Congo won the prestigious over-all Secretary General's Award. The Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony was Lucia Rodriguez, Vice President of Education at the UNA-USA.
This DPSMUN conference, like the preceding two, was very well received. All participating schools praised the efforts of the staff and students of DPS, R.K. Puram, and above all, of our Principal, Dr. Shyama Chona, whose commitment and support was responsible for the success of the conference. What made this conference different from other Model UN conferences was that despite the large size, in terms of participating schools, delegates and committees, each delegate was given an opportunity to express his/her views and showcase his/her intelligence. Consequently, each participating delegate returned a more confident, more mature, and more understanding young citizen of this global world.
Karan Nagpal
Deputy Secretary General
DPSMUN 2006
