|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Featured Article |
| |
| |
11th MUNA – Shaping Global Leaders of Tomorrow
January 27, 2009, Makati City
By PP Patti King, RC Makati Jose P. Rizal
|
| Youthful delegates from 16 high schools and colleges including 4 schools from Hong Kong and one from Cebu, recently interacted and debated on political, human rights, drug and human trafficking, health, environmental and moral issues, exploitation of parts of the world, and other international concerns as they built consensus, resolved conflicts and solved problems in an atmosphere of compromise and cooperation. These happened at the 11th Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) last January 17 and 18, 2009 at the World Health Organization Regional Headquarters, United Nations Avenue, Manila. |
| |
|
| |
MUNA is a project organized by the Rotary Club of Makati Jose P. Rizal (RCMJPR) under the chairmanship of PP Patti King as a continuing commitment to the development of the youth. It was co-chaired by PP Lita Wells who ensured that the big number of delegates will fit in the hall. The project’s District Chairman was IPP Chito Chavez, who effectively drew in the foreign delegation, together with PP Beth Rabuy.
Now into its second decade, the MUNA was launched in 1997 as a club project of the RCMJPR under the Youth and International Avenues of Service to enhance understanding of international affairs and decision-making. It is based on the United Nations General Assembly where delegates simulate the proceedings of the United Nations as they create resolutions and declarations to tackle problems facing the international community. In this year’s MUNA, a new dimension was added: the UN Security Council. |
| |
|
| |
The 11th MUNA marked the coming of age of this project as 157 paying delegates represented 81 countries in the biggest MUNA event ever undertaken by the club. Aside from the delegates, 20 observers paid for the chance to witness the proceedings. There were also 3 Rotaract Clubs which participated: the Rotaract Clubs of Makati Jose P. Rizal Kasilawan, the Rotaract Club of Kapwa (Parañaque Metro), and the Rotaract Club of Makati. Likewise, the Rotary Club of Makati sent a participant from the Interact Club of Makati. In line with RCMJPR President Jenny Rojales’ vision, the event also marked the first time that a Philippine public school, the University of Makati, sent its delegates.
RCMJPR’s partners in this event include Brent International School, from where the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General were drawn. The British School of Manila also continues to play an active role in MUNA and has provided some of the committee heads this year. Southville Foreign University, Cebu International School, Southville International Schools and Colleges and UP Manila are some of the prestigious schools that participate regularly. |
| |
Issues discussed
The 11th MUNA once again saw heated debates and furious lobbying, as students tackled issues dealing with politics, human rights and environment. Political issues that raise divisiveness among and within countries included the role of illegal drug-trafficking in financing terrorist organizations, the exploitation of Africa by industrialized and industrializing countries and elimination of racism and racial discrimination, particularly, against indigenous peoples in Asia. Human rights issues included the expansion of human trafficking and illegal prostitution, the legality and access to abortion the state of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories. Under the environment topic, the students debated on pesticide use as a threat to human health and the natural environment, the preservation of freshwater ecosystems and reduction of the world's reliance on fossil fuels with respect to sustainable development. |
| |
Successes of MUNA
Over the 11 years that the MUNA has been running, thousands of students, teachers and observers have developed leadership traits and skills, improved their social and intellectual skills, gained wisdom and appreciation for creating cooperation among people and countries through consensus building. For sure, many of those who have attended MUNA will make effective leaders of tomorrow. It has been found out by the United Nations that Model U.N. students tend to go on to become great leaders in politics, law, business, education and even medicine.
The successes and impact of Model United Nations projects have become known far and wide and because of this, they have been encouraged by Rotary International. The club submitted the resolutions that were passed at the 8th MUNA to the United Nations in New York through Past District Governor Doug Vincent, Rotary UN Representative for Zone 7.
The popularity of MUNA continues to grow. A group of students is now in the process of forming its own MUNA Club inspired by the RCMJPR MUNA. In previous years, the RCMJPR MUNA had given birth to the MUNA curriculum of the College of St. Benilde. The MUNA has inspired Districts 3820 and 3450 (Hong Kong) to put on their agenda the staging of their own events next Rotary year.
The Rotary Club of Makati Jose P. Rizal takes pride in its initiative of having established its very own MUNA 11 years ago in Rotary International District 3830. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
