Written by: Janabelle Bejarin, Vice President- Internal, Rotaract Club of Parañaque Metro, Youth Media Network Philippines
World peace and understanding. These are the key values dominated from the recent 12th Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) Philippines held on February 6 and 7, 2010 at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Pasay City, Philippines.
MUNA is an academic simulation of the United Nations Assembly that aims to educate participants especially the youth about civics, current events, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy. In Model United Nation, participants take on roles as ambassadors of countries and participate in a simulated session of debates for a resolution. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems.
At its history, MUNA commenced in Winnipeg, Canada (1980) as a result of the youth’s great desire in simulating debates as meaningful as it is in the actual UN Assembly. And because of the warmest support given by the United Nations in this worthwhile project, MUNA now exists in five continents of the world. In the Philippines, MUNA was launched in 1997 as a Rotary Club project under the term of Past President Patti King, and progressively became a district project in 1999. District Governor Sid Garcia takes pride in its own district for the initiative it took in conducting MUNA many years ago and is confident that such a project will continue to live for many generations to come.
Now, on its 12th year in the Philippines, MUNA continues to be drawing support and recognition not only in this country but in foreign countries as well. Hats off to the Rotary Club of Makati Jose P. Rizal led by President Emma Rivera and MUNA Chairman Yolly Hilario for the success of this project. The largest delegation yet with over a hundred participants!
The two-day conference had resolved conflicts concerning political, environmental, security and human rights issues, thus, produced meaningful resolutions which purposely has the potential of giving answers to our current global problems. MUNA on its second day of gathering had the privilege to received talks from Mr. Renaud Meyer, the Country Director of United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Philippines, and Mr. James Richard Troitter, the Political Economic Counselor, Head of Political, Economic and Public Affairs of Canadian Embassy, Manila. The participant of this assembly had also been addressed by our own District Governor Sid Garcia.
Truly an event that builds bridges of goodwill, peace and understanding, the recent MUNA earned huge participation of delegates, advisers, and observers representing schools including Brent International School, British International School, Southville International Schools and Colleges, Soutville Foreign University, International School of Manila, University of the Philippines, La Salle Green Hills, DLSU, Faith Academy, Adamson, PMI College, Ateneo, and different Rotaract- Interact Clubs.
Of course, as a club that reaches out in promoting peace and goodwill, Rotary Club of Parañaque Metro had sponsored Rotaractors Roy Benedict Bautista and Princess Genelyn Pacifico as delegates to participate in this assembly. They had the honor to be the diplomats of Thailand. It was indeed a great experience as yours truly had also been able to take part in this event as an observer. We Rotaractors are honestly grateful to our beloved Rotarians for these doors of opportunities they always held open for us.
We may generalize that MUNA plays part in developing the youth’s public speaking and debating skills, however, this is just part of the goals of this activity. The true essence of this kind of project is the fulfillment of having been able to contribute answers and solutions to global issues and concerns by way of free sharing of ideas across national boundaries however different they are in terms of race, religion, and political opinion. We, in the end realize, that it is an honor to be part of this worthy goal. As what Past President Lilibeth Dela Cruz, District Coordinating Chair, service to they youth, quoted in her programme message, “Nobody has the power to make things perfect…but everyone is given countless chances to make things right.”
