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# WASHPAP 2030: What has been accomplished so far and how you can get involved

BY TASKINUL HUDA SAQUIB, STAFF REPORTER

Undoubtedly it was a huge surprise for all of the MUNI members that we had come to the end of our 3 day long Summit focusing on ” Earth, Economy and Equity “. It seemed to us only a few minutes ago, we conducted our first session and within a twinkling of eyes, we’re now going to moderate our last session which is all about the WASHPAP 2030 campaign. And like other sessions, we were completely mesmerized to listen to the story of successful turnout of a MUN resolution to a standard UN resolution guaranteeing clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and pandemic protection for all by 2030 and  its preparation process where young people all around the globe contributed mostly and devotedly.

This resolution was completely different from any common resolution that usually appears before the United Nations General Assembly Committee each year ; there were no official UN diplomats, no ministerial personality, even no aged people in time of preparing this document. It was completely designed by young delegates of different communities of different backgrounds sitting at the MUN debate competition arranged by MUN Impact Global and One Shared World collaboratively from March to April 2021. The main theme was SDG 6: Ensuring safe and equitable access to clean water and sanitation for everyone by 2030.

In 4 different languages (English, Spanish, French and Russian), young people from everywhere partook in these debates and crafted a set of highly qualified resolutions. Amongst those fortunate young participants, we got two experienced MUNers: Rita Araújo and Reem Al Marei. They both shared their phenomenal experiences with us during the debate sessions. Both of them agreed upon one point that to engage in this debate cycle was one of the wisest decisions they have made up so far. They also expressed their high hopes for the resolution that they, along with other delegates fixed and continuously edited before it had gone out of their reach, to be passed at the upcoming UNGA and G20.  

Now when this drafted resolution had been put down the table of editorial team members, they all felt the same sensation of wonder and satisfaction. Nikita Jha, working as an editor, frankly disclosed her opinions on the quality of the resolutions that have been reached out to them. She openly appreciated the efforts yielded by young people irrespective of their life position, career and moreover their age to craft 3-4 resolutions which contain the unstoppable voice and unbounded enthusiasm. At no point, the quality of these documents hasn’t been scooped off. Nowhere the seriousness of manners has elapsed. They even didn’t do too much editing, hence it automatically turned out to be a high qualified resolution. Lastly, she reiterated that they all have faith in its achievements. Sandi Gendi, director of OneShared.World of Global Leadership and acts as a lead coordinator for WASHPAP team, added the acceptability of this finalised resolution to the ministries of the world, experienced analysts, acting and former UN diplomats.

She persisted in the attentive manner of all of its reviewers who couldn’t but express their amazement at the dedication and inspiration that came out of the resolution. There was no scope for looking down as it’s just a MUN debate. She congratulates all the staff working hard to finally come out with such a praiseworthy document. Now, if we focus on another part of WASHPAP activities  “Global Advocacy Campaign “. Shagun Sheti, serving as a director For Global Leadership for One Shared World, took the floor and explained precisely everything about this campaign and the steps to advocate for something. As her maiden point she preferred to quench our curiosities regarding the appropriateness of advocacy. She answered the most common question that we’re frequently asking “Why should we, the commoners,  be involved in advocating when every government, legal institution, national and international organisations continuously advocate for any issue?” by explaining the multiple layers of a social movement where we want to have any social problem solved. Two main includings of such a kind of social movement are students and people who come from grassroot levels. She unfolded the impact of civil society in any transition, any movement.

Civil society can often play the stakeholder role and put pressure on governments, institutions and moneyed groups to do things better. They hold the power to push industrialists to work for the greater human benefit and even throw them out of their seats because every institution in every country, every society is accountable to its civil society. And by this way, we as a common people are indulged in advocacy though we don’t do it sincerely. 

We are also advocating in social media by broadcasting a thought, an ideology, a crisis. She mentioned #Me too, #Black lives matter, Tiktok and Instagram activities as different manifestations of real life advocacy. Even if we just call up one of our friends and start discussing any contradictory topic, you’re also acting as an advocate here. So, we’ve already been a part of every big advocacy campaign and now it’s high time to increase our advocacy skills to inspire as many people as we can. Ms. Shagun didn’t leave the audience confused and to clarify the facts, she then stratified the steps of advocacy from 1 to 4. First of all, to succeed in an advocacy campaign, we need our mouths hushed and the stages prepared to raise other voices especially those who have never been given any opportunity to expose the reality and listen to them. It’s high time we got in touch with minorities and sufferers, reached out to the homeless families and understood who the stakeholders are and how to react with every piece of the problem. Then let’s initiate an action. But where will we first implement our strategy?

Here comes the 2nd step : identifying our influences. We have to tag the people who are being influenced by us from our personal sphere, institutional spheres like in schools, universities, job sectors, local sphere like we can take an initiative collectively by our community people and influence each other positively to segregate domestic wastewater, national sphere like spreading the spark of influence around the country against any problematic laws and legislations and finally catch up with the international sphere. But like marking all the levels of influence in our lives, setting up a concrete goal is also important. Shagun urged all to be clearer to the goals. Gender Inequality is a big issue and now if someone just sets up his/her goal to eradicate all forms of inequality, it might be uncomfortable for him/her to stick to the goal. Rather than, he/she can specify a certain issue that directly or indirectly confronts the equity of a society and do something regarding this particular sector. And lastly, she advised us to focus on the exactness of our messages that we’re going to give out during our advocacy process. It’s very urgent to prepare a rhetorical, connective, sympathetic and emotional note to be spread out across the system.

Finally Ms. Shagun judged the accuracy of WASHPAP activities in the context of the aforementioned steps and Annie Pforzheimer, a recently retired career diplomat with the personal rank of minister counselor, marked on its approach so far with special emphasis on the collaboration with MUN Impact, India Sanitation Coalition, German and Spanish foreign ministries and the recent Vaccine Equity event with the head of WHO, Dr. Tredros. From personal judgement, this one hour long WASHPAP + Advocacy session has brimmed up to the appropriateness of our E3 Summit and most importantly, drawn a unique conclusion to this mind blowing initiative taken by MUN Impact Global and succeeded by its members. 

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The Start of the Fun :

BY ANINDITA GANGOPADHYAY, STAFF REPORTER

Mark the date; September 3rd ,2021 as this is the day when the third edition of the E3 Global Summit started and believe me when I say that it was a blast!

The summit addresses the issues regarding the Earth, Economy and Equity, thus the name E3 Global Summit. This time the event went on for three days starting on the third of this month. The summit team had put in a lot of effort in arranging this wonderful event and had succeeded in organizing 29 very engaging workshops, an SDG sandbox and lastly plenaries. The first day began with the plenary team introducing themselves. This introduction showed just how global the whole MUN Impact team is. We had Elias, one of the head plenaries who joined from France; Amaya from Sri Lanka who was another co-head of plenaries; next we had Snata, a part of the plenary team who joined from India. 

The introductions were followed by an intra summit video put together by this very efficient team. The video consisted of the student leaders of the summit who gave us an insight into what was going to happen in the next few days and encouraged  everyone to not just listen but think and take progressive steps towards making the changes that this world requires. There are a total of 17 SDGs, giving the young generation a vast range of topics to choose from to make change.

The summit officially started with a power- packed, fun-filled welcome speech by AY Young. AY Young is a producer, singer, songwriter, entertainer and entrepreneur who was also recognized as one of the 17 UN Youth leaders for SDGs. He is the only citizen from the United States  to have held such a position. AY Young has done more than 800 concerts till date all powered by renewable energy sources. He is also working on a global goals album named Project 17.  The album is in collaboration with some of the most prominent artists of the world who aim to produce one song each. These songs are to be related to any one SDG. As if these achievements weren’t enough AY Young is also the founder of the Battery Tour. He states that there are over a billion people around the world who lack access to energy. In his battery tour he aims to provide renewable and accessible energy to people around the world so that they too can have access to electricity, one of the most important resources needed in today’s world. His music seeks to spread love and positivity to the youth. In his speech, AY talked about how change comes from passion and taking a step towards it everyday, he believes that everyone is an outlet for change and that we all together need to move and take a step to bring about the change we all yearn for.  He further encouraged everyone and said that one doesn’t need a million follower to make a change or do what they love to do. Young told us how he powered 8-10 hours concerts all using renewable energy in batteries, and this was even before he started the Battery Tour.  Rather he says, that it was during one such concert that he came up with the idea of Battery Tour. AY Young has reached 17 countries till now and has provided energy to many. Further he continued by telling us more about Project 17. Through this project he asks everyone to support his tour, support the change and also take one action towards the change. Young believes that even a small step like turning off water while brushing teeth is also a big step towards making change. He also mentioned how artists like Lady Gaga and Lil Nas X cared about gender equality while artists like Kim Kardashian cared about peace and justice. He ended his speech on a fun note while also asking everyone to spread #battery_tour.

AY Young - The Global Goals “Project 17” - YouTube

After AY Young left, one of the board members, Snata, gave a little speech. In her speech she quoted a quote said by the 35th President of the USA, Franklin D. Roosevelt: ‘We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.’ This quote wonderfully summarizes the essence of the purpose of not only this summit but also of MUN.

Next, we were joined by Mrs. Kehkashan Basu for the keynote. Mrs. Basu is an environmental and human rights activist, founder president of Green Hope Foundation, UN’s Human rights champion, winner of the 2016 International Children’s Peace Prize and also the winner of the first ever Voices Youth Legacy Award for Nuclear Disarmament. As if this was not a long enough list, she is also the author of a book called Tree of Hope. The book tells us the story of youth taking actions to mitigate climate change. Mrs. Basu talks about how we live in an unequal world where there are only a selected few who can progress and the majority of the population is even stripped of their basic human rights. We’re all aware that the world population is close to a billion now, referring to this Mrs. Basu says that she is worried that this may add to the inequity and this majority of people might not even receive the basic resources. The causes of this can be more than one she says. Dramatic climate change, war and strife and loss of biodiversity can be a few examples. She very rightly states that what we know of inequity is not the whole story, this is mainly because the media is controlled  by the one’s in power. Many say that due to pandemic the balance is now being made. But is it true? No it isn’t. The pandemic has only played a bigger role in impacting the vulnerable communities and regions. It is indeed true, that during this time nations came together to help each other but all went down the drain when vaccines came into the picture. The developed nations had vaccine stockpiles amounting to seven dose per capita of its population, while there were nations in the South remain unvaccinated. What’s worse is that in these developed nations thousands of vaccines are going to the waste because they pass their expiry dates. Regarding this Mrs. Basu poses a very important question: Why in this age and era where we have high tech logistics are we unable to adjust supply chains so that excess doses don’t go to waste?Green Hope Foundation I Goal 13 I — Global Goals World Cup

Another important issue she addresses is the splurge of the rich with space travels, where billionaires try to outdo one another while there are millions who starve for some mere food on their table. 

These are a few issues the Green Hope organization works against. The organization has spread to 25 countries and has impacted over 2,25,000 people all over the world. Green Hope provides a platform of learning at ground level to create a just, equitable and sustainable future for all. The foundation has been linked with the UN for a long time under the UNEP and the UN convention to combat desertification drought but specifically they have a very close relationship with working for the SDGs.

Their main goal is to localize the SDGs by bringing together the 5 Ps of sustainable development. To address SDG 1 the foundation is working globally to reduce poverty. They also contribute to food security practices to work towards the second SDG. Just like this the foundation is taking steps to attain each of the 17 SDGs and playing a huge role in attaining Agenda 2030.

Mrs. Basu ended her session by very kindly answering questions asked by the attendees .

Overall, this first session was undoubtedly flawless and wonderful. AY Young and Mrs. Basu, both great personalities gave their precious time to encourage and guide the youth and made this session fruitful.

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When Girls Rise, We All Rise

BY ANISHA SATYA, STAFF REPORTER

Day three of the Summit was well underway, and it was  to talk about women. Aanya Khan and Fajr Khan (not related) decided to take charge and begin levelling the playing field for girls in their country, Pakistan. 

The two co-founded Girl Up Pakistan, a faction of the United Nation’s “Girl Up” campaign. As put by Fajr, the organisation aims to “empower women, and advocate for gender equality”. They run collaborative initiatives with non-profits, including MUN Impact, and operate in their community, lending a hand in psychiatric wards and trauma centres. Their focus lies on SDG 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.” 

Girl Up recognises the injustices women face in Pakistan. Aanya explains that it is normal for girls in South Asia to not play sports. “There’s this culture that if a girl is on her period, she cannot go out and play sport.” 

“This happened at my old school, which I thought was completely ridiculous” she says. After dealing with systemic sexism in their schools and community, both girls decided to take matters into their own hands, one act of kindness at a time. 

Pakistan’s culture is one of many around the world where we find the repression and subjugation of females. As the girls point out over the call, women are disproportionately affected by climate change. 

I’ll be honest. It was a bold statement, and when I heard them say it I raised my eyebrows. There was no way that was possible, right?

Wrong.

Over the session, Aanya and Fajr showed how women in developing nations like through Central Africa and Asia were left to fill a role as caretakers. They did not receive an education – forget academics, basic skills like swimming! – nor a salary, nor the protection of a stable house. This meant women were more often displaced, and killed, in extreme weather events. 

As the session went on, it became clear how women were disproportionately affected by climate change. 

When you realise the scale of the issue, it seems unfixable. It certainly would’ve felt that way to Aanya and Fajr at times.

But it is fixable. We can raise up girls and women. If might begin with sharing stationary, part of your meal, something small. Aanya and Fajr recommend volunteering in your community. “Advocating at a local scale is a great first step” Fajr says. 

“Joining organisations like Girl Up” is also the go from Aanya. “It gives you a broader insight into [issues like these].”

So, there you are. Women are at a disadvantage across the board, in countries of all levels of development. But what may feel like a small gesture in the grand scheme of things could change or safe a life. Girl Up Pakistan has a slogan. It reads “When girls rise, we all rise”. 

One girl at a time, we can change things!

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Ryan Laverty: How to Make Learning Accessible Via Text Message and WhatsApp?

BY MEENAKSHI MARIAPPAN, STAFF REPORTER

The pandemic has served as a catalyst for the need for efficient remote learning and working, with a transparent surge in demand for the same. A project that has roots to concerns raised by a student in Yemen, our speaker Ryan Laverty set out to make learning more accessible to those that lack access to it, and began running a company whilst a student learning design at the time years ago. In this session, Laverty provides insight into how his team at Arist is working to make learning more accessible via text message and Whatsapp to those in every corner of the globe who need it most. 

The three prominent options for learning are video,  e-learning modules, and in-person training. Laverty pushed forth the question: “What if we send materials over text?” With over 75% of people using mobile phones, the challenge is really this: “How do you teach something meaningful over such small soundbytes?”

Based on analytics and research that “spaced learning works,” Laverty and his team at Arist started to put together pieces of what the learning module should like, with aims of designing a working model “that’s accessible, but also works.” Initially, the project began with texting interested students about entrepreneurship, and public speaking tips. They soon arrived at a final product of 2 screen length, 1200 character messaging method to explain concepts followed by daily projects, complete with emojis and skipped lines to break up learning and deliver learning modules as “bite-sized engagements,” instead of a “chunk of text.” One example of their work includes a COVID-19 Health project in Tanzania,  which involved the dissemination of sanitation and hygiene education and awareness over text messages. An interesting way students were assessed by being asked to send a message back each time they washed their hands. This showed immediate results, confirming that “it can completely change methods of teaching, and it changes the access someone can have to learning.” 

Currently, Laverty and his team’s work also includes training Fortune 500 organisations and non-profits in the United States, relying on profit partners to reach different groups. Their work also stretches globally across 3-4 dozen countries and regions, including entrepreneurship education in Tanzania and Kenya in Sub Saharan Africa, India, Europe and South America, to financial literacy training in Costa RIca and Ecuador. They have plans of expanding to other messaging apps, such as Line, WeChat, and Slack, with a vision of “getting the acceptance of remote learning to the world.”

In Laverty’s words, “the three major steps that will define the next decade are work, train, and earn.” With TikTok and Twitter, “the atomic unit of learning is getting much smaller. Learning should happen on the communication we already use. It took a lot of time and effort, but we believe we’ve designed a better way for anyone anywhere to learn. The future of learning isn’t about making things smaller. It’s about making learning intentional and more human-centric.”

Watch the complete session at https://youtu.be/eveJpgTJcHc. Want to learn more about the work Arist is spearheading? Head over to https://www.arist.co for more information.

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Climate Change – What Can We Do?

BY ANISHA SATYA, STAFF REPORTER

The focuses of this summit were the “three E’s”: Earth, economy and equity. Each topic covers a broad spectrum of issues. Our session 2.A of the Summit (Together, We Are Heroes), conducted by Noor Al Zubi on 3rd September focuses exactly on the same.

Discussing these issues, these “E’s”, can become a bit overwhelming at times. How can we fix the centuries-old climate issues, and inequalities which have existed for generations? Where does one even begin?

17-year-old Noor Al-Zubi believes things begin with education. 

Noor, who lives in Jordan, has first-hand experience with the effects of rapid climate change. The country has been named as the second most water-scarce country by UNICEF, facing droughts that span months and devastate both agriculture and lifestyle. Jordan is suffering from a water crisis.

“It has now reached a point where even ministers were concerned” Noor states. “At times, it doesn’t rain until late December. It only rains for a few days and then stops.”

“Because I know how much climate change has affected countries internationally, I decided I wanted to discuss it.”

Noor pointed out signs of climate change in all corners of the world; Heatwaves in America, unworkable conditions in Asia, extreme weather in Europe. She points out that Africa has felt the impact of climate issues since the 70s, citing its lack of “an adaptive capacity” as reason for this. 

She also pointed out changes in nature – competitive  behaviours, butterflies changing their migration period – When it’s all laid out, it doesn’t seem a stretch to pin it on the climate.

But the planet is huge, and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. We are one drop in an ocean of trouble. What can we do? Graphical user interface, diagramDescription automatically generated

Noor thinks we can do a whole lot. And it starts with education. Spreading awareness to both the oblivious members of society, and those in denial. When asked how to begin a discussion, Noor says to “start by presenting statistics and facts; show how it has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Maybe even [show them how past predictions] have been proven correct”.

Noor herself has begun advocacy by creating an Instagram page, named Climaero, a shortening of “climate” and “hero”. The page began late July and already sports 273 followers. 

Noor posts small challenges for followers to take up throughout the week. They’re low-to-no cost, and take minimal effort – things like functioning without house lights for three days. 

There are other things you can do to use actions as an educational tool, because sometimes words aren’t enough. By “weatherising” (weather-proofing your home), avoiding single-use plastic, turning to renewable energy and responsibly consuming water amongst other things, you show how practical and beneficial living a climate-conscious life can be.

“We have to educate people so that [they] believe the importance of such a crisis” Noor says. In doing this, she is sure that we’ll slowly reduce the rate at which change is occurring.

So, what can you do about climate change? Start with education.

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MUN@Home: Bringing Model United Nations Into The Future

BY MEENAKSHI MARIAPPAN, STAFF REPORTER

Born out of the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, MUN@Home is one of MUN Impact’s flagship debate programs. Traditional Model UN debates or conferences usually have a problem of inaccessibility regarding the language and resources of topics discussed. More importantly, the heavy emphasis placed on the MUN simulation itself puts real action at the backseat, and delegates are not directly able to impact the issues discussed. Heidy Cho, Lead Mentor at MUN@Home, and Ray Cheng, Co-Secretary General of MUN@Home, break down the program for participants in this session.

What sets MUN@Home apart? MUN@Home is a free one month course for middle and high school students. Participants will receive online asynchronous coaching, get to debate SDG-related topics based on SDG targets with focus on real-time problem solving, and attend live online debates, gain exposure to SDG advocacy, and of course, acquaint themselves with the essence of Model UN, all in a positive working and learning environment! The program is open for individual students, with no experience needed, and is truly international, with programs available in various languages, and fully online. The program aims to encourage action in each part of the course. The program is structured so that delegates will be able to share about their favourite SDG in Week 1, and then gain knowledge about research reports, opening speeches, resolutions in the remaining three weeks. Each round culminates with a debate, which serves as a platform for discussion in a cooperative rather than competitive environment, and allows delegates to showcase their learning over the course of the round. As the program continues to grow, recent steps are being taken to make the curriculum more accessible, with recordings being released on YouTube to allow for asynchronous learning. Similarly, the leadership structure has also evolved to facilitate that growth, with a cohesion between the team better than ever to take the program to greater heights.

Of course, the program also has its fair share of fun involved. When asked about his favourite moments from his time at MUN@Home, Ray recalled his memory of a debate in April 2021, which he found “very incredible and fun” – as are all the MUN@Home debates! Heidy touched on her fond memories of past mentorship sessions, with their “tradition of creating very interesting, silly resolutions, so it’s easier to debate and allows delegates to improve their speaking skills whilst debating issues that are still lighthearted.” And they even debate topics like “pineapple on pizza”!

However, both Heidy and Ray agreed that what really inspires them about the program is “seeing people succeed, watching delegates return, seeing how their skill has improved,” and the way they “can make a change in someone’s life, even a small change” through MUN@Home.

Interested in joining MUN@Home, but still have questions? Our student leaders answered all burning queries from interested delegates and mentors alike during the session!

  1. How many times can you participate in the program? As many times as you’d like!
  2. Will delegates and mentors receive certificates after completing a round? Yes! Delegates and mentors will receive digital badges sent through email.
  3. What are mentorship sessions like? Delegates have the opportunity to attend weekly Zoom sessions with their mentors where they will be introduced to each of the following aspects of MUN, including research, position papers, opening speeches, and resolutions, alongside some fun activities!
  4. Does MUN@Home host speakers every month? Again yes! In addition to mentorship sessions, participants have the opportunity to hear from a range of inspiring guest speakers; past speakers include those from the UNHCR, other UN organizations, diplomats, youth leaders and more!
  5. How are delegates divided into cohorts? There are two programs for students of varying experience; the Intermediate delegate cohort is grouped together based on experience, whilst the rest are divided randomly.
  6. How can students become a mentor and how much experience is needed? Applications open before a round commences and can be found on our website or social media.Significant experience is not required; just a good grasp of MUN procedure and passion for mentoring and MUN!
  7. Do we get volunteer hours if we sign up as mentors? Yes! These can be used as CAS hours for IB, and even others like National Honour Society, for instance. 

Interested in joining MUN@Home? Find us on our Instagram page, munathome, and head over to the MUN@Home webpage at https://munimpact.org/munathome/ for more information.

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Eric Johnson: Sustainable How?

BY MEENAKSHI MARIAPPAN, STAFF REPORTER

For a session centred around youth empowerment and sustainability, our speaker for the day was Eric Johnson, one among the youth himself. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management at Columbia University, Johnson has extensive experience in empowerment, be it from a legal standpoint, in the case of refugees, or focussed on the environment. From the get-go, the participants were enveloped in a warm atmosphere created by Johnson to facilitate conversation and welcome any youth voices present.

As reiterated by Johnson, the world is home to “more youth,” and we “need to give them a voice.” The UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda form an intersectional framework, and youth are an essential part of the agenda’s advancement. The session, following from its title, aimed to answer the question “Sustainable How?” through an interactive conversation. Johnson’s first question to participants was: What does sustainability mean to you? This led to further questions, such as “ What type of renewable energy do you like?” sparking interesting contributions from participants.

The highlight of the session, as it ended on an insightful note, was when Johnson shared a TED Talk for participants to watch titled ‘Climate justice can’t happen without racial justice’ given by Member of Parliament David Lammy; the video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/EkIpeO1r0NI. The essence of the video revolved around the intersectionality of various aspects, as Johnson similarly stressed upon previously. Following from the title of the video, one may ask, how? As attested by Lammy, “people of colour consistently lie at the bottom of the housing, educational and employment ladders.” And so, these are the people who breathe in relatively more toxic air compared to the rest of the population, the people who are prone to respiratory diseases, and these are the people who are more likely to bear the brunt of the climate crisis. With this being said, participants were able to see the Black Lives Matter slogan “I can’t breathe,” in an entirely new light.

Moreover, as the countries which contribute least to the climate crisis, most of which were previously exploited, seem to suffer the most, this hinted at a “pattern of suffering with a long history,” with the climate crisis being interpreted as “colonialism’s natural conclusion.” Why are a majority of leading climate change activists white? As Johnson touched on the representation of the black community, the video showed participants how the already underrepresented are now being cropped out of leadership positions in environmental organisations, amongst others. It is time that people of all races, religions, ages come together to recognise that “climate justice is linked to racial justice, social justice, and intergenerational justice too.” 

The video served as an extremely powerful conclusion to the session, as participants were able to understand the resonating message that the climate movement is not merely about protecting the environment. Rather it is about caring for the people around us, globally, irrespective of their bank account or the colour of their skin, and annulling inequalities. In Johnson’s words, it is about “paying it forward, and creating a space for everyone to breathe the fresh air.”

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E3 Summit Day 2 Plenary – High Hopes!

BY WILLIAM WESTON, HEAD OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS

Hope, a word we hear a lot but one which can never be emphasised enough. The message of hope was the prominent theme communicated during the Day 2 Plenary, with a keynote speech to inspire all the current and future changemakers in attendance. The hour-long session kicked off with a thought-provoking speech by Plenaries Team member, Otis Fischer. Below is an extract from Otis’ speech:

“A new generation is entering the global community. With each new generation, there is hope. Each new generation begins hope but few finish with it. However, after seeing the actions of those around me – of those who have built up these grassroots programs that fight for the education of underprivileged children or for the cleanliness of their beaches or for politicians that will fight for sustainable development – I have hope.

Each new generation brings new hope. This generation brings more than hope. It brings a fight to improve.”

MUN Impact’s third Global Summit has truly encapsulated that very sentiment, the power of the youth to deliver change and the constant striving to improve our planet. This introduction was complemented by the MUN Impact Choir’s very fitting performance of High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco. The video which premiered at the 2nd Global Summit is the work of 11 young singers from across the globe, all with a connection to MUN Impact, Ms. Taylor Pietz from John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri, USA and MUN Impact Director Mr. Andrew Newman. Participating in this project myself during the very uncertain summer of 2020 was an incredibly humbling and inspiring experience. Watching this video filled me with the same emotions I experienced this time last year, despite how much the world has moved on. The performance is available to watch here and you can read the article explaining the whole choir project here.

The plenary session then transitioned into the main event, a keynote speech by radio journalist, environmental activist, and youth empowerment leader, Mr. Brighton Kaoma. This speech focussed on three main areas, collaboration, diversity and youth action. Kaoma was keen to stress the importance of working together in order to drive change and discover solutions, a theme the Summit is encouraging through its Open Forums, SDG Sandbox and Dolphin Pool sessions. Kaoma told his story of running radio campaigns at the age of 14, calling to action those in power. He stated that you are “not too young to lead” and instead you should take risks and collaborate with others to drive what you are passionate about. Alongside this, the importance of self-care was also noted, especially the importance of our mental wellbeing in these difficult times. By being an “active citizen” and leading by example we can create the change so many of us young people are passionate about. Mr. Brighton Kaoma’s organisation, SDSN Youth, is dedicated to supporting this youth-driven change and forms part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an initiative launched by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. To find out more about this organisation and to get involved you can access their website here and find them on social media @SDSNYouth.

The Day 2 Plenary marked the halfway point in the Summit’s schedule and provided an important reminder to all in attendance of the purpose of these events, to provide a platform for collaboration and to inspire students with the message of hope. We are very grateful of Mr. Brighton Kaoma for dedicating his time to provide such a motivational speech, and the dedication of the plenaries organisers did not go unnoticed either. The Day 2 Plenary was the perfect celebration of our generation’s high hopes and set the stage for another 24 hours of inspiring talks, workshops and sessions.

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Travel Sustainably!

BY SAI SUBRAMANIAN, STAFF REPORTER

Tourism. It plays an important role in today’s world because it increases employment and financial opportunities for those living in developing countries. However, ever since the world moved into a new normal, eco-tourism has been affected. According to Meera Ranjan and Prince Santosh Kumar who were presenters at the E3 Summit, sustainable tourism is an important aspect of life during these troubled times.

During their presentation, they covered enquiring questions including the UN’s involvement in promoting ecotourism, how Ecotourism can maintain a circular economy, and what individuals can do to promote ecotourism presentation. They concluded their presentation with a small quiz in regards to ecotourism and more info about the 100k Deeds challenge. Overall, they tied the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) element during the entirety of their presentation. 

To begin with, the United Nations has been promoting ecotourism by generating greater awareness among public and private sector organizations to contribute to the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage in improving living standards. Furthermore, they are spreading methods and techniques for the planning, management, regulation, and monitoring of ecotourism to guarantee long-term sustainability. The UN General Assembly designated the 2002 international year of ecotourism in 1998. 

Secondly, ecotourism covers public health, Climate action, social inclusion, governance, and finance which refers to a circular economy. UNEP, UNWTO, and Ellen MacArthur developed specific COVID-19 Recommendations to raise awareness on the environmental impact of health and hygiene measures. Furthermore, the focus on public health increased the demand for recycling plastic disposable items. In order to maintain a circular economy, it is important to adopt a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. This would increase the lifespan of products. Social entrepreneurship is a segway into the finance aspect of ecotourism as it would allow reinvestment of profits into social projects that increase the popularity of sustainable development. 

Lastly, as global citizens, there is a lot we can do to support ecotourism ventures and the SDGs during this COVID-19 pandemic. When traveling, it is important to adhere to health norms and regulations. As global citizens, buy handmade/local products to show support to local organizations. Never buy wildlife products, minimize food consumption and recycle whenever possible.  Furthermore, organize a donation drive for quarantine supplies to distribute amongst those in need. To increase biodiversity, invest in nature-based solutions and capture the value and support of conservation efforts through tourism. To increase climate action, monitor, and report CO2 emissions and accelerate the decarbonization of tourism operations. 

To conclude, Prince and Meera had some excellent points in their presentation to increase awareness about ecotourism. They used their experience as a part of the 100k deeds challenge team to engage the audience in a discussion about what the team is doing to encourage the modern-day audience to support ecotourism. “Sustainability is no longer about doing harm. It’s about doing more good.”
To see the full session, click here.

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Terrestrial Ecosystem and Climate Change:

BY TAZMIN RAHMAN, STAFF REPORTER

One of the most common issues plaguing the planet is climate change. Climate change has adverse effects upon us and our environment. SDG 13 focuses on ‘Climate action’ and SDG 15 on ‘Life on land’. SDG 13 and 15 are interrelated as life on land depends upon climate.Our presenters, Komal Gupta, Tanisha Saxena and Luna Mercuri from 100K Deeds Challenge division explained  the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystem with precision and immaculate detai.In our session on topic, ‘Climate Change: Impact on Terrestrial Ecosystems’ 

They focused on Sustainable Development Goals 13.3 and 15.2.1to explain at length about the prevention and reduction of climate change.The session started with explaining terrestrial ecosystem.They conducted a quick survey on which ecosystem is the most favorite. Temperate deciduous forest came in first place ,with  Taiga in second place and  desert and grasslands turned out to be the third most popular ones.Then the presenters discussed the impact  of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, the first and main impact they considered was biodiversity loss. According to them, climate change could convert whole land areas from one biome to another, alter global biogeochemical cycles and isolate a myriad of species to extinction. The second main impact is food web disruption. Humans depend on animals and plants for food, medicine etc.It can cause huge food loss.As they discuss food web disruption, they explain the link between the food chains and dependencies between organisms. Climate change indirectly harms animals, causing extinction. Also, in recent days, with extreme discrepancies in the temperature a common consequence is a  wildfire. Mainly the polar regions at stake. An increase of even 1 degree celsius causes several problems in cold places as sea level rises and ice starts to melt.

Now, how can we ignore soil degradation.They say it’s for climate change and poor management. They first explain soil degradation and explain that it  isn’t easily recoverable.Then they explained the food web with a picture, and gave an example of the disruption of that food web. As a result there is a problem. Consumers can prevent this disruption, the presenters firmly believe. 

Then came the anticipated brainstorming time with a short survey. Most catastrophic impact of climate change according to that survey was soil degradation, second was wildfire ,third was biodiversity loss and the least considered harmful impact was food web disruption. 

Then a case study of South America’s biggest rainforest,the Amazon, was discussed with the evident impact of climate change on that forest. . Then a case study about Oceania’s Daintree rainforest. 

The solutions for climate change were explained to the attendees by the presenters with  a video. They give 3 main solutions. First is restoring forest, second is protecting wildlife and third is restoring coastal habitats.  83 percent of mammals are killed by human.Legal logging, volunteering ,adopting plant based diet, and moving on to alternate energy are also some solutions. 

Then they introduced UNEP and some, then introduced the EAC coalition. Luna, and Komal introduced the ACT NOW  campaign by the UN . The discussion then moved over to  ECOSIA and its plans .Ecosia is a search engine based in Berlin, Germany. It donates 80% of its profits to non profit organizations that focus on reforestation. Then there was a short quiz with 2 questions, especially to make the session interactive. They talked about the Paris agreement in 2016 and the Kyoto protocol in 2012.There was a graphic discussing the success of it and the speakers talked about their experience related to climate.Then they talked about their work for climate action like attending high profile meetings etc.then they talked about the 100 k deeds challenge.

They discussed what we can do for SDG 13 and 15. According to them we have to Reduce paper consumption, spread awareness and conduct workshops.plants trees etc. for SDG 13. They also gave some ideas of what we can do for implementing SDG 15, they gave 6 plans. Then there was the last interaction asking about sharing our own ideas. 

In short, the session was very interactive and eye opening. The hosts gave solutions and some examples of good organizations related to SDG 13 and SDG 15 as they shared their experiences. We can understand that we have to take actions from our level to fight climate change and save the terrestrial climate.

For full session, click here.

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Quality Early Education, A Need For All

BY SARAH BRAHMA, STAFF REPORTER

On 3rd September 2021, OneSky, a globally recognized NGO aiming to help vulnerable young children by ensuring they have access to loving, nurturing care and quality early education held a session in the E3 Summit organized by MUN Impact. The session started with an introduction of the organization by Tazmin. Annie Fromson Ho, a presenter from OneSky took over and began by thanking MUN Impact for the platform. She then moved on to the history of the organization, which was indeed an inspiring story. The story highlighted that every child has unlimited potential and has the right to have full access to loving, nurturing care and quality early education. If given access to these, every child can have a happy and safe childhood.. 

Annie shared that OneSky is similar to a door of new opportunities and gives her a sense of satisfaction. Going further, she shared the mission and vision of the organization which is to provide nurturing, responsive care and early childhood education to every child that unlocks their hidden potential. She briefed the audience about where OneSky held a presence (China, Vietnam, Hong-Kong S.A.R., China, Mongolia). Next she presented a factual situation: “The care children receive during their first 1,000 days can determine the trajectory of their entire lives.” This fact influenced the OneSky Approach, which is based on proven practices, centred around responsive care, and adapted to serve specific needs of children and their caregivers. Annie added that the 20yrs old organization has been recognized by the Skoll Foundation, IKEA Foundation, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, among others. She supported it with a few statistics that were shocking. She mentioned that OneSky has trained over 60,000 caregivers, reached over 227, 812 children and indirectly reached 650,000+ children!

Following this, she emphasized the need for quality early childhood education in Vietnam. She spoke about rapidly growing industrial zones in Vietnam which attract migrant workers, however 70% of the workers are women and 75% of the factory workers lack access to quality childcare. After this, she presented OneSky’s solutions to tackle the problem. This  included three approaches: training for workspace, parent education, and care for children. She also reinforced the concept that OneSky’s solution was done through direct partnership with the local and national government. Thereafter she showed us how OneSky has actually created an impact. She spoke about how the OneSky Home Based childcare program has been found to improve and sustain home-based childcare quality, and improve child outcomes such as fine motor skills, visual perceptions and early learning composite scores. Coming to the end of the presentation, she explained to the audience about how they could join or contribute to OneSky. She added a few statements by volunteers of the organization convincing the attendees why they must volunteer. A few example workshops and student clubs were also shown. She then mentioned a Fireside chat, that will take place on September 15th, 7 pm EST and any questions about the organization would be clarified.

Miss Lisa Martin, executive director of MUNI, took over and briefed the audience about how MUNI related to OneSky. The mission of OneSky aligned with SDG Goal 10: Reducing Inequality and SDG Goal 4: Quality Education. She shared a motivating story from her personal life. She spoke to the participants about how being a part of organizations such as MUNI or OneSky can actually create an impact. She supplemented this by informing the audience about how the two-decade old organization created a change at the policy level in China and encouraged people to think about quality early childhood education. She said with emphasis “every voice matters”. After this engrossing talk, a couple of questions awaited the presenters in the chat. An attendee asked, if they could join the organization as an individual? The answer to this was a yes and many other organizations.

Overall, it was an informative, engaging and flawlessly conducted session. The Admin team ensured that the session was conducted smoothly and frequently dropped required links. All the questions in the chat were entertained and the attendees seemed impressed from the session as they dropped their comments on the chat. We must try our best to contribute or raise awareness about such organizations to ensure a better future, thus contributing to the SDGs!
To see the full session, click here.

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Think Blue, Go Green!

BY AARUSHI PATNAIK, STAFF REPORTER

“No water, no life.No blue, no green.”
Amaya Ranatunge, a 17-year-old high school student from Sri Lanka is a diplomat of the South Asia region. Her workshop held on the 3rd of september, enthralled all attendees. Amaya has been involved in MUN for 5 years now, and is currently involved in a number of MUNI programmes.She is also on her path to be a law student and is a youth activist who wants to create an awareness about marine pollution through her stunning artworks and regular beach clean ups. Her workshops critically analyzed what marine pollution was and what were the ways and means to reduce it.

Why do the oceans and marine life hold a vital place in our environment?

Amaya explained that, as about 71% of the earth surface is covered with oceans, 91% of life on earth is aquatic with about 1.6 million different species. The ocean not only helps in maintaining the chemical and biological balance of life on earth but also helps in maintaining the resilience  and resistance, disturbing prevention, nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas regulation, bioremediation of waste, food provision and ocean resources.

So, what is marine pollution?

According to  National Geographic, marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. This pollution results in damage to the environment, to the health of all organisms and the economic structures worldwide.

Marine pollution occurs due to the marine pollutants. Marine pollutants are materials which affect the biological process of marine ecology after being dumped into the water bodies. There are two main types of marine pollutants namely land based pollutants and sea based pollutants. Land based pollutants give rise to most of the waste that is 80% of waste which comes from pesticides, metallic wastes, plastic waste, oil and radioactive wastes. Sea based pollutants mainly are sewage and sediment plumes.

Amaya mentioned that there are two main types of marine pollution namely discrete pollution and chronic pollution. Discrete marine pollution remains for a short period of time, an accurate example would be an oil spill, the effects of which diminishes with time quickly and rapidly. Chronic marine pollution remains for a long period of time, an accurate example being nutrient input, effluent discharge, those of which the effects remain for a long time and sometimes forever and are highly dangerous and affect the oceans and water bodies ten times more than discrete marine pollution.

                                                                                An artwork by Amaya Ranatunge

What are the human activities that lead to marine pollution?

Amaya mentioned that mostly all of the causes of marine pollution are occured due to human activities some of them are oil spills, ocean mining, excessive fishing, improper polythene and plastic disposal, releasing agricultural effluents, man made sedimentations and sand mining at beaches.  

What are the effects of marine pollution?

  1. Destruction of marine ecosystems

Amaya elucidated that about 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. 14,000 tons of plastic are ingested by the north pacific fish yearly.500 marine locations are now recorded as dead zones globally.1 in 3 marine mammal species are found entangled in litter.

  1. Causing of human health hazards

Maternal consumption of contaminated seafood may damage the developing brains, reducing IQ and increases children’s risk for autism, and also ADHD and learning disorders. For adults we see that it increases risk for cardiovascular disease and dementia.

  1. Causing unfavourable climate changes

This will lead to the sea level rise, increase in temperature level again leading to global warming and melting of polar regions, increase in carbon dioxide emission rate mainly due to the improper disposal of polythene and plastic.

Amaya specified that earlier she did not find herself as deeply concerned or interested in marine pollution until recently after  learning the issue of the X-press pearl vessel. The X-press pearl had been carrying 25 tonnes of nitric acid, along with other chemicals and cosmetics, when it caught fire on 20 may. Many of the ship’s 1,486 containers tumbled down the sea before the huge blaze was put out. The ship contained 278 tonnes of bunker fuel and 50 tonnes of gas oil. There were also 20 tonnes full of lubricating oil. The destruction of the ship led to the death of hundreds of aquatic creatures in the Sri Lankan marine border.

Amaya shows us that anything is possible if you have the will to do it, she expresses her love for the ocean through her artwork which not only provokes us to take action but all the others out there. She is an inspiration to youngsters and she shows us that age really doesn’t matter, all that matters is action. At the end of the session Amaya quoted a few words by Dr.Earl, founder of mission blue “If you think the ocean isn’t important, imagine earth without it. Mars comes to mind. No ocean, no life support system.”

  Amaya conducting beach clean ups

To watch the full session, click here.

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Covid-19, a virus or a sexist pandemic?

BY LORETO MARSAL, STAFF REPORTER

Last year, a severe pandemic hit the entire world, causing the deaths of millions of people around the globe. This virus provoked each and everyone of us to change our lifestyle, making us stay in our houses quarantined for a couple of months. This was supposed to result in the improvement of the situation. But…how could everything end in people being fiercely damaged by this “solution”?

Gender inequality is and has always been one of the awfullest ways of violence ever. The fact that one gender feels better and superior than the other, as well as homophobia or misogyny, gives me chills. Every year approximately 770 million women are attacked by their partners or ex-partners.

Before the pandemic, between 40% and 60% of the women confessed having been harassed on the streets, and the 35% sufferend from physical or sexual violence from their partners or someone other than them. One of three women suffered this.

And this is the tiniest part, because the majority of women suffering from gender violence won’t call for help due to the fear they have or the pressure they are under.

Which leads to a huge amount of women and girls that live in a hole of depression and loneliness, causing deep wounds that are really difficult to heal, and even suicide.

When Covid-19 appeared and “settled down”, all the people suffering were obligated to stay in their houses, trapped with their aggressors, with no way out. The cases raised, and in many countries, calls to domestic violence hotlines increased.

Quarantine, for its part, creates the ideal conditions for the elements of gender violence to be emerged: it isolates women even more, increases control by formal closure at home, facilitates impunity by increasing barriers so that women can get out of violence and creates a context that facilitates the use of any of its forms at the slightest stimulation.

The situation, aggravated by the enclosure, caused thousands of women around the world to be hit, raped or maltreated. As well as children of all ages. And the worst part is that parents, commonly fathers and husbands, are responsible for it. They would blame the alcohol, drugs or outbursts of rage in order to excuse themselves, which would later become attacks without alibis. 

Those who still live in the caverns will say that if a woman suffers, and if she is “so strong”, she should just say it and get divorced. But that’s not that easy. When you have someone saying how weak, stupid and worthless you are 24/7, you end up believing it. 

They hold on, but in horrible conditions. They tend to have mental illnesses, and fear is their companion. That’s why campaigns and protests should be done more regularly, to show them that there’s people outside who uphold them, and to encourage them to call for help, to raise their voices.

However, a big part of the society, instead of defending the victims, creates apologies to the assailants when a woman is raped. They blame their clothing, the alcohol… They stand up for a criminal.

As someone really clever said: << “He was drunk” are the words we use to explain and excuse the bad things he does. “She was drunk” are the words we justify as the reason why the bad things happen to her. >>

Something must be done. We cannot let people assault women, LGBT+ community or, in the least of the cases but still there, men. We all need to show support and acceptance so that no one is afraid to ask for help, or to rebel against their aggressor. Together, we are stronger.

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How Can MUN Support Agenda 2030 and Drive Change for the SDGs:

BY ANINDITA GANGOPADHYAY, STAFF REPORTER

It is the young adults of this generation who will make the future of this world. It is very important that they are aware of their duties, and the changes that this world needs. This is where MUN takes its initiative. 

Agenda 2030 supports 17 goals that need to be accomplished by the year 2030. These goals are known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To reach this goal the world needs as much help as possible, and what better help than the generation that is going to take lead soon. MUN is varied into many divisions- MUN@Home, MUNenC@sa, O-MUN and many more-to allow students from all backgrounds to come and join. This organization holds monthly debates, for free, where the students discuss issues that affect the world badly. 

For the past few months, these debates are being held on various SDGs. These help the students do an in-depth study about how their assigned country is working towards a certain SDG. The students are also asked to submit resolutions in which they come up with wonderful ideas and show their leadership skill. It is not only through debates that MUN tries to drive change.

 The division MUNI or the MUN Impact, organizes workshops, through a program called the E3 Summit, with renowned personalities for further awareness amongst the young generation. The Community Magazine is another way in which the organization is trying its best to help attain the Agenda. MUN is making a full use of social media too. Instagram handles are made for every organization which provides all the information one needs. These handles also hold lives with celebrities and ask their take on the Agenda and once again urging the students to do their part. 

Another very important division of this organization would be the 100K Deeds. It undoubtedly play one of the most important roles towards achieving the SDGs. 100k Deeds is a fun competition in which students are divided into groups and these groups race to complete a few deeds which are related to the assigned SDGs. 

The best part about MUN is that it is thoroughly organized and maintained by students from around the world. Be it the leads or the organizers, it is a totally student-run organization. This helps in building of leadership and organizational skills since the young age. 

MUN is doing its best to support Agenda 2030 and drive change for SDGs, but it is only possible when more students join hands with the organization. The more people know, the faster and better the Agenda can be attained. 

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Youth Involvement in achieving the Net Zero through Advocacy and Direct Action:

BY AINDREE CHATTERJEE, HEAD OF SUMMIT PRESS TEAM

With great pleasure, I would like to declare that The E3 Summit is in just two days!! So, how does a little sneak peek into our first day sound! We will be kicking off the event at around 9:00 UTC.  The help desk will obviously be open from beforehand to help you with a smooth enrolment process and Zoom room allotment.As you all know, MUN Impact works extensively with the youth to help promote sustainable development at all levels.

Our first days’ events focus on the Earth in E3 Summit, with workshops centred around SDG 13 and 15. But the highlight of our day is the forum on Youth Involvement in achieving Net Zero through Advocacy and Direct Action. The discussion and debates will centre around what the youth can do in ensuring implementation of sustainable development in their surroundings. Advocacy is one of the most important ways of promoting this as many important messages are spread verbally. Now it may make you curious as to what I mean by achieving “net zero”. Net Zero  means attaining a balance between the quantity of greenhouse gas produced and quantity of that gas present in the air in general. The United Nations aims to achieve this by the year 2050.

Carbon emissions have actually increased over the past years, even after the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in 1992. Achieving net zero emissions is possible by switching to more eco-friendly fuels and reducing the rate of urbanization. The ‘net’ in net zero stands for the fact that we have to achieve balance, rather than reducing emissions to zero by 2050 as the latter is not a plausible situation.

Does this topic interest you? Then don’t forget to join your forum from 14.30 to 16 UTC on 3rd September. Our esteemed speakers, Tasneem Essop(WWF), Amy Wickham(UNICEF),Giulia Jacovella(UNDP), and Christian Schwarzer of Global Youth Biodiversity Network, will address the issue and attendees can engage in discussion with them. The role of the youth is phenomenal in helping to attain Net Zero as they are the ones who are better equipped to reach out to their peers.Additionally,we will be having our plenary session prior to the event at around 13 UTC.

Our student presenters will also be doing presentations centered around the themes of SDG 13 and SDG 15, thereby aiming to promote the importance of saving and sustaining the Earth and environment as we know it now.Our first sessions will be held at 9UTC. Elsie Ishami Muhirwa, of Youth for Youth Rwanda, will be presenting on “Youth for Youth Rwanda: An NGO started by a Rwandan teenager, in our Session 1.A”. Session 1.B will be on “Think Blue and go green”,and will be conducted by MUNI Global student, Amaya Ranatunge. Taking the themes further, the workshops from 10 UTC by Noor Al-Zubi and Monika Jangir will be focused on collective cooperation to prevent climate crisis and on quality education(SDG 4).

The 11.00 UTC to 12.00 UTC session will be conducted by our very own high school leaders, who have contributed extensively to the 100K Deeds Challenge- Tanisha Saxena, Komal Gupta and Luna Mercuri. The workshop is particularly targeted towards those keen to study how climate change has impacted terrestrial ecosystems.

Rya Kuewor of Refugee Integration Organization will, at the same time, be conducting a workshop on “Taking the Backseat”. It aims to encourage audiences to question how problem solving should go about in the procedure of innovation.All these topics indirectly aim to educate youngsters about environmental hazards and through activities and ventures during sandbox, they can come up with ideas to promote Net Zero through Advocacy and Direct Action. Around these times, the Sandbox strand will also commence! Don’t forget to check our articles on the Sandbox strand to know more.

Post break, Meera Ranjan and Prince Santosh Kumar of 100K Deeds will give a demonstration on responsible tourism, which will be an insight into ways to reduce pollution during traveling and  will advise us on how we can tour sustainably. Katie Purtill and Annie Fromson-Ho of OneSky, our partner, will host a session on building better futures for the world’s most vulnerable children”, from 14.30 to 15.30 UTC.Joshua Gray of OMAC will conduct a workshop/Arctic Council from 15.30 to 16.30 UTC. It will be a forum where attendees can discuss the Arctic Circle and the challenges facing the region.He has a passionate interest in the Arctic, especially issues facing Arctic Indigenous peoples, and he is keen to share this interest with other students and pupils. 

InnerVIew-USA ONLY’s Kristine Sturgeon will present on an SDG-based learning platform for American youth in another session at the same time. Sandi Gendi, Shagun Sethi and Lucia Ferreira of One Shared World will finally conclude our long list of sessions, with their workshop on “Youth and Interdependence: A look into the work of OneShared.World”. We are really grateful to our partners and student presenters for their amazing contribution in making this vision a reality.

I am sure you are going to really enjoy the day and if you would like to hang out more with us, do not hesitate to join us for a social hour at the end of the day!

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E3 Summit: SDG 13 and 15

BY THUSHAARA PRASANNA, STAFF REPORTER

SDG’s or the Sustainable Development Goals or also known as the Global Goals are a cluster of 17 Goals which are planned to be achieved by the year 2030 for a safe, happier, better and ofc, a sustainable environment for all the people who are living in this world and for the upcoming generations too. 

SDG 13 which is commonly known as the Goal for Climate Action is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which mainly concentrates on the goal to reduce the Global Warming well below 1.5 degree celsius. To achieve this temperature goal, countries come together to reach the Global Peak of greenhouse gas emissions promptly to attain a climate neutral world by the mid-century. The official wording for the SDG 13 are as follows:

“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”

To accomplish the Goal of Climate Action, the UN has defined 5 Targets and 8 Indicators for the SDG 13. 

On the other hand, SDG 15 which is known as the Goal which is mainly concerned with the Life on Land and is too one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals with the aim to call for an urgent action to halt the degradation of natural habitats, to end the poaching and trafficking of animals, and to integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into local planning and development processes. The Official wording for the SDG 15 are as follows:

“Protect, Restore and Promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.”

To accomplish the Goal of Life on Land, the UN has defined 12 Targets and 14 Indicators for the SDG 15. 

We have with the amazing 4 Speakers for this event:

  1. Tasneem Essop
  2. Amy Wickham
  3. Giulia Jacovella
  4. Christian Schwarzer

So, let’s have a short introduction about all of the amazing speakers… 

  1. Tasneem Essop:

Tasneem Essop is the Head of Strategy and Advocacy for the International World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Global Climate and Energy Initiative, and leads the global climate team at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sessions.Prior to joining WWF she held the positions of Provincial Minister for the Environment, Planning and Economic Development in Western Cape and Provincial Minister of Transport, Public Works and Property Management.In these portfolio’s she was also the Co-Chair of the global Network of Regional Governments on Sustainable Development (NRG4SD) and the Leader of Government Business for the Provincial Development Council in the Western Cape. She also chaired the Association of Public Accounts Committees and was the Spokesperson for Finance and Public Accounts in the Legislature for the African National Congress. She was also the Education Officer for the Congress of Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western Cape and Education and Media Officer for the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).She has piloted a number of new policies for the Western Cape province during her tenure as Provincial Minister, such as the Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF), and Polo Estates and the Mobility Strategy that included the Bus Rapid Transit System and non-motorized transport. She has lectured and written, internationally and domestically, about the impacts of climate change especially on the poor, and, more recently, has become a strong advocate for reaching a multilateral agreement on climate change within the UNFCCC.

  1. Amy Wickham

Amy Wickham is a Programme Specialist on Climate, Energy and Environment.  She has worked at UNICEF Zimbabwe, UNICEF Mongolia and is now based at UNICEF HQ in New York and has even worked with international organizations in South Asia, Europe and Africa. She has contributed articles to the UNICEF blog. “In her role as Climate Change Officer at UNICEF Zimbabwe, Ms. Amy Wickham has been supporting the National Climate and Energy Policy developments, mainstreaming environmental sustainability across UNICEF, conducting office GHG emission inventories (2013/14), while also developing mechanisms to reduce these emissions.” said  Global Alliance for Clean Cooktops.
3. Giulia Jacovella:

Giulia is a multi-faceted, efficient and reliable policy and communication expert with over 6 years of professional experience in Senegal, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the UK. Since 2013, she has been working for organisations promoting resource governance, rural development, food and energy security, human rights and gender equality and equity. She is currently based in New York, where she works as a Youth and Climate Analyst at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Her diversified skill set covers research, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder relations, writing, editing, graphic design and project management. She has excellent interpersonal, communication and analytical skills. She is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and French. Giulia holds a master degree in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development from SOAS University (UK) and a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from LUISS University (Italy).

4.Christian Schwarzer:

Christian is one of the founders of GYBN and has dedicated most of his life towards environmental issues. In recognition of his activities on Biodiversity, he has been appointed as Youth Ambassador for the UN Decade on Biodiversity. He is a member of NAJU and Co-Chair of Germany’s NGO working group on Biodiversity policy. Christian is currently studying for a double major in History and Political Science. His main research interest lies on Global Environmental Governance. So far he has participated in 21 rounds of UN negotiations under the UNFCCC, IPBES and the CBD and published numerous articles and studies on environmental policy issues

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A Brief Overview Of The Aim And The Mission Of The 100K Deeds Challenge :-

BY PREKSHA SARAF, STAFF REPORTER

The 100K Deeds Challenge aims to raise awareness and inspire youth to take action for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Everyone around the world has the capacity to serve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by taking action through small commitments and deeds that together create a big impact. A deed is any action that contributes to the furthering of one or more of the SDGs. To date, we have logged thousands of deeds across all 17 SDGs. They range from raising awareness about a topic through student-led workshops to everyday deeds that further the SDGs to large-scale campaign actions that have immense impact.

A FEW PLANS IMPLEMENTED IN THE PAST AND A IDEA OF PLANS WHICH CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE 100K DEED CHALLENGE IN THE FUTURE :-

We just implemented our inaugural 24 Hour Challenge which encouraged youth changemakers to accomplish as many deeds as possible relating to SDGs 1 and 15 within a 24 hour period in teams of 4. While this was an internal challenge, we plan to introduce this to all in the near future.

In 2017, SaPa – Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts launched a pilot 10,000 Deeds campaign in partnership with UNICEF to encourage young students to perform deeds to serve the SDGs in their families, schools and communities. The campaign was kicked off by co-founders Bindu and Ambi Subramaniam with a music video by The Thayir Sadam Project.  A select number of schools in Bangalore adopted the program, where students were given a pamphlet with examples of simple ways to serve the various SDGs. Students were each given a “Deed card” to fill out and return, describing their deed and the relevant SDG. MUN Impact was inspired by the 10,000 Deeds campaign and launched the 100,000 Deeds Challenge in January of 2021.

THE INSIDE THOUGHTS OF Ms. Christine – THE CO Secretary General of 100k Deeds.

My favourite part of 100K is how action orientated we are. As the upcoming generation, it is our duty and responsibility to create a more sustainable future for all. Although the UN and governments around the world have taken various initiatives to combat the various daunting global issues we face, we often forget that we can also contribute meaningfully to combating such world issues by taking steps in our everyday lives – from making small, conscious decisions that better the world to raising and spreading awareness about current affairs – these are all ways that we can help create change. The 100K Deeds Challenge brings together and motivates youth to carry out such individual deeds that aim to help further the 100K Deeds Challenge. It is only through youth changemakers like us that we can continue initiatives that continuously aim to better the world. I will forever be impressed and inspired by how much impact that we, as a group of like-minded youth changemakers can have on the greater world.

QUESTION TIME :-  The thought about the negligence of the present youth generation and how can we move forward making them a part of our program ?

That is definitely an issue that collectively, as a generation, we are facing. In many other cases, while many of the present youth generation are aware of current issues, they feel helpless and have no idea how they can contribute to the solution. This is why raising take direct action is such a core component of our mission at 100K Deeds. Awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals and encouraging the youth to take direct action is such a core component of our mission at 100K Deeds.

100K Deeds at Summit 3.0:

 Session 3.A will be conducted by three of our most promising student contributors of the 100K Deeds Challenge – Luna Mercuri, Komal Gupta and Tanisha Saxena and is called Climate change: impacted terrestrial ecosystems? When asked about their session they told us, “the workshop will talk about the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. The main topics to be discussed are: what SDGs 13 and 15 are, the United Nations Environmental Programme, harmful impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, such as vulnerable/extinct species, our field experience and a description of an action campaign organised by MUN Impact, the 100K Deeds Challenge.”High school students: Meera Ranjan (Head of India, 100K Deeds Challenge) and Prince Santosh Kumar (Diplomat at MUNI Global) will be presenting Travel Responsibly! – Sustainable Tourism, on the very same day, 3rd September. “The COVID 19 Pandemic has set back sustainability by many years of efforts. The Tourism Industry is one of the worst hit and countries are working to revive it. During this revival, it is important that sustainability is ensured simultaneously with development. This workshop will inform participants about the importance of sustainable tourism, and how they can help as tourists/ citizens to foster sustainability in their communities”, they explained.

On Day 2, Session 10.A will be hosted by 17 year old Maria Teresa Egea Diaz and 14 year old Tanisha Saxena, of 100K Deeds Challenge. Their area of focus is SDG 8: What has COVID-19 changed?. “The aim of the workshop is to discuss different viewpoints on the topic and highlight the idea that all actions count to achieve the 2030 Agenda. At the end of the session, participants will be able to ask questions and take part in a quiz”, they have described. Day 3 will also see Maria and Meera host a workshop, this time on Equality? Equity? Take your pick! The workshop will explain the theme of equity and its relationship to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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STUDENTS OF MUNI GLOBAL AT THE SUMMIT 3.0:

BY AINDREE CHATTERJEE, HEAD OF SUMMIT PRESS TEAM

In our series of articles, we have repeatedly talked of the work of our amazing student leaders, but how can we not congratulate our amazing student presenters from MUN Impact Global? After a lot of careful deliberation and discussion, our Workshop Vetting team has decided on the amazing students, who will be presenting at our Global Summit 3.0 to elucidate to us the ways in which the youth are passionate towards various causes. We have received a ton of student applications, and have selected those, who have demonstrated unparalleled enthusiasm and have come up with a catchy concept.

Our Session 1.B will be hosted by Amaya Ranatunge, a 17 year old high school student from Sri Lanka, who is serving as Co-Lead of Plenaries and one of the South Asia Diplomats for MUNI Global. Her content will be focussed around marine pollution and ways & means of reducing marine pollution, and is called Think Blue and Go Green. Session 3.A will be conducted by three of our most promising student contributors of the 100K Deeds Challenge – Luna Mercuri, Komal Gupta and Tanisha Saxena and is called Climate change: impacted terrestrial ecosystems? When asked about their session they told us, “the workshop will talk about the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. The main topics to be discussed are: what SDGs 13 and 15 are, the United Nations Environmental Programme, harmful impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, such as vulnerable/extinct species, our field experience and a description of an action campaign organised by MUN Impact, the 100K Deeds Challenge.”

High school students: Meera Ranjan (Head of India, 100K Deeds Challenge) and Prince Santosh Kumar (Diplomat at MUNI Global) will be presenting Travel Responsibly! – Sustainable Tourism, on the very same day, 3rd September. “The COVID 19 Pandemic has set back sustainability by many years of efforts. The Tourism Industry is one of the worst hit and countries are working to revive it. During this revival, it is important that sustainability is ensured simultaneously with development. This workshop will inform participants about the importance of sustainable tourism, and how they can help as tourists/ citizens to foster sustainability in their communities”, they explained.

On Day 2, Session 10.A will be hosted by 17 year old Maria Teresa Egea Diaz and 14 year old Tanisha Saxena, of 100K Deeds Challenge. Their area of focus is SDG 8: What has COVID-19 changed?. “The aim of the workshop is to discuss different viewpoints on the topic and highlight the idea that all actions count to achieve the 2030 Agenda. At the end of the session, participants will be able to ask questions and take part in a quiz”, they have described. Day 3 will also see Maria and Meera host a workshop, this time on Equality? Equity? Take your pick! The workshop will explain the theme of equity and its relationship to the Sustainable Development Goals.

MUN@Home students, Chandrasnata Mohanty, Heidy Cho and Anastasia, will speak out on the positive aspects of MUN@Home in their workshop titled MUN@Home – Bringing Model United Nations Into the Future. “MUN@Home strives to bridge the gap between MUN and student initiative through an SDG-based approach. While taking from the traditional debate spirit of MUN, we want to empower students to not only discuss these issues, but take action within their communities and beyond. Come join us in our workshop, where we will talk more about the motivations, functioning during the pandemic, and the inner workings of MUN@Home.” they opined.

Shennon Sequeira, Zarya Sharma and Lois Lemmon of MUNI Global will be speaking on MUN Impact in their workshop, MUN Impact: Uniting the world through the SDG’s. Another fellow high schooler and South Asian Diplomat under MUNI Global, Naduni Kalungalla will be hosting Session 13A on 5th September itself, with “Education Is not A Luxury, But a Basic Need” as her main topic. MUNI Europe DSG Lois and our Summit’s Secretariat member and Assistant DSG of Europe, Rita Araújo, will be presenting their thoughts on The SDG library: how books and stories can help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the next session.

We have had students step in at the last minute to take part in the press team, admin team, social hour team and even to speak at the forums. We are really grateful to all our student presenters and speakers and hope to have an amazing Summit 3.0!

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E3 Summit’s Sand Box and Dolphin Pool

BY ANISHA SATYA, STAFF REPORTER

The E3 Summit this September is a global event; it’s expected to host hundreds of students from around the world. With a huge range of speakers and topics, it is set to be an exciting three days. 

Students will be focussing on things in relation to the “3 E’s”: Earth, Economy, Equity. Each “E” bears a heavy and generalised load, so speakers will break it down over the event. But what happens after everything’s been said? The Sandbox and Dolphin Pool aim to solve that problem. 

Ayomide Ajakaiye is in her freshman year at college in the United States. She likes fantasy novels, plays three sports and helps run her school’s Afro-American Affinity group. In Canada, 18-year-old Canran Xue directs campaigns, such as Orange Shirt Day, in her spare time. She studies commerce at the University of Toronto.

The girls live miles apart, but share three things; a busy lifestyle, a passion for social change, and a love for all things MUN. This year, they share the role of deputy secretary general for the Sandbox and Dolphin Pool events, along with American student Zoey Fisher.

If you’ve no idea what the E3 Summit is, here’s your rundown. Over three consecutive days, guest speakers will host sessions (think TEDTalks) of around an hour on all numbers of topics, each of which’ll tie in to the three E’s and its related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We’ll have people from the UN to Youth Leaders” says Ayomide. “And on the theme? [The Summit Team] wanted to focus on what’s relevant right now.”

The Sandbox and Dolphin Pool. No, not in the literal sense (though I wouldn’t mind a swim with dolphins) but in a collaborative sense. Each event provides attendees the tools and space for them to take those three E’s and apply them; Create initiatives, project plan, and so on.

“It’s basically an interactive event” says Canran. “People get to discuss the connected SDGs and make a plan.”

The plan in question is up to you; look at the related SDGs and figure out which one you’re the most passionate about. You’ll spend the session with other attendees passionate about the same thing, discussing how you could affect change in relation to that SDG. Ayomide, Canran and Zoey will be there to help you out. 

“The Dolphin Pool is the culmination of everyone’s work” Ayomide says. Here, you take your ideas and present them to an expert panel, while “around 300 people” will be watching, says Canran. If you’re idea is solid enough, there’s a chance you could implement it, and the panel will tell you if that’s the case so go hard, and try your best. “It’s like Shark Tank, but friendlier” Ayomide jokes. 

The girls discussed that the Sandbox and Dolphin Pool events are learning curves for them, too. Ayomide says they “take things from the last summit, build on them and grow with them”, learning about what works in a collaborative space and what doesn’t with every event. 

The girls and the wider E3 team understand that events like these can be a little overwhelming, especially if its your first one. They encourage you not to worry, Canran saying “once people get comfortable … they share and discuss more.”

Should you get involved in a summit, or in other MUN events? Both Ayomide and Canran say yes. “It’s just amazing to see just how diverse the sessions are” says Canran. “And if English isn’t your first language, don’t worry! Everyone’s understanding.”

“I really liked the experiences in the past” she says. “That’s why I’m here again.”

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The Key to High-School Leadership

BY ANISHA SATYA, STAFF REPORTER

In 1994, a young girl from a small town began college. She got involved in clubs and school boards, entered speech competitions, and stood up for what was right. 

In 2016, she became New Zealand’s Prime Minister.

Jacinda Ardern has taken on more than most in her role as PM. She’s been praised for her handling of the pandemic, and stands out as one of the world’s most capable leaders. Her success is commendable, and much deserved, as her position is the result of years of work and determination. She had the odds against her, as a young person from a small provincial town, but she defied those odds and now stands victorious.

Ardern didn’t land her role overnight. But she goes to show that anyone can become a leader. Here’s how she did it, and how you can use her story to find your own way to leadership.

One of the traits most shared by world leaders is their ability to impact others. Sometimes it’s in an adverse way (Think Donald Trump’s clever use of the media) and sometimes in a positive one. The skills and traits leaders wield to affect people include public speaking, compassion and charisma. 

Ardern began her high school career at Morrinsville College in 1994. There she entered speech competitions, joined debate teams and participated in writing competitions. These helped her to become a strong speaker and showed her how to handle pressure in a public environment. 

This leads us to our first tip: Join lots of clubs. Make it a goal to sign up to as many clubs as your schedule allows. Things like debating and speech competitions are great, but so is the student council, enviro clubs and (of course) any Model UN groups around. All these groups specialise in advocacy and creating change, to some degree. 

Why join lots and not just one of two? (so long as you don’t burn yourself out – know you limits!) Simple. The more bases you cover, the more skills you’ll pick up and the more people you’ll meet, leading on to our next tip.

Looking back at Ardern’s life, she stood as class rep on the school board for two years. She also worked at a local fish ‘n’ chips shop (common around the country). Great leaders don’t stay within their safe space. Great leaders are willing to go out into the world and learn about it; in short, great leaders get involved outside. 

Outside of your normal space of school and home. Try taking up a part-time job. These teach you several things, like communication, patience and teamwork, while exposing you to the world in a way your student-self hasn’t seen before. Yo could also try for roles on your school board, like Ardern, where you deal with trustees and charities, and make vital decisions for the good of the institution. There are higher risks in taking up community roles, but that is simply the cost of leadership power.

The last and (in my opinion) most advantageous tip is to build connections. This essentially means to make friends in business. By engaging in your school and outer community, you’re doing this already, but don’t stop there. Create a business profile on platforms like LinkedIn and contact people in the industry you wish to pursue (It sounds scary, but you’ll thank yourself later!)

I’ll share a story of my own. I attended a course online, where I met a group of amazing women like myself. I kept in contact with them through a group chat, and one day, somebody sent me an application link for a reporting job. 

That’s how I got my role as a reporter for MUN Impact, and how I got to writing this article. Connections matter. Get them!

Ardern’s story serves as a great blueprint for others, like you and I, who want the power to make a change in the world. Leadership is a quality which one must develop; it is not innate and cannot be bought. Anyone can become a leader, but it takes some determination.

Are you up for the challenge?

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The E³ Summit – Earth, Economy, Equity!

BY CHANDRASNATA MOHANTY, HEAD OF PRESS, 100K DEEDS CHALLENGE

Last July, MUN Impact launched its first virtual Global Summit. At its inception, we had no idea how successful our little experiment would turn out to be. But thanks to the numerous student presenters, UN-affiliated speakers, and passionate changemakers, the Summit went exceptionally well. After this experimental summit, the October summit came with a bang and exceeded all expectations! Students from all corners of the world attended the summit and participated in its various strands, namely – the Inspiration strand, the Sandbox strand and the Dolphin Pool. Now, if you’ve been a part of our previous summit, here’s some good news for you. We at MUN Impact are back with another Summit! Yes! You’ve read it right. 

The Global Summit 3.0 will be held from 3rd to 5th September 2021, and as the article title suggests, will focus on three areas: Earth, Economy and Equity. This will be a three-day free event like the previous summits. If you’re wondering what’s different this time, the conference Secretary Generals, Ananya Balakrishnan and Vedant Kulkarni, let us in on some insider stuff.  

“Past summit (Global Summit 2.0) was indeed a success with over 2500 students and introduction of sandbox strands and dolphin pools. The component that we felt was lacking was giving students the access to hear out a group of leaders from various organizations/constituencies discussing and presenting views on a common topic. We called this opportunity as Forums. As our 3 days have been divided as Earth, Economy and Equity, we will have 3 forums (one on each day) to discuss topics such as youth engagement on climate change, youth innovation, and equity to healthcare. Students will have the opportunity to then possibly interact with the leaders to discuss action plans and further opportunities. There will be a 4th Open Forum to further discuss topics that interest people and society today to derive tangible outcomes in the near future.

Stay tuned for more details and specific agendas for the forums, and we are sure that this will be an exceptional opportunity for those who’ll be there.”

Regular schooling and even the typical extracurricular activities have a limited range of experiences to offer today’s youth – especially the middle school to university level students. The substantial exposure to high-level advocacy, diplomacy and an opportunity to connect with the larger ‘real world’ can be best offered via an event like the E3 summit. 

We implore each student to get introduced to these experiences to think, plan and work for a better world (by advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals) with a community of similar goal orientation. This summit would not only allow you to learn from accomplished people but also allow bringing your innovative ideas into reality – receiving feedback on them by directors of different organisations and successful youth leaders – makes this whole effort worthwhile and exceptional. In short, Global Summit offers a range of opportunities to give you an enriching experience to unleash the ‘locked potential’ and make it worth your while. 

The MUNI Global Summits are always a hub for individuals who want to make change in the communities around them– that much is a given, and has always (and will always!) been one. That said, so many different people bring unique perspectives to the table. This means that participants can push their thinking farther and farther, learning more about issues they were already familiar with as they go. The diversity of our workshops means that participants can engage with issues they’re completely unfamiliar with as well, and so can learn more there too. Both of these have numerous benefits– while people are of course able to develop their own ideas, they’re also able to gain insight – and be exposed to numerous viewpoints – into different areas.

” Changemaking comes,first and foremost, from the development of ideas. The Summit serves not only as a hub for people to discuss different issues in order to develop their ideas, but as a place where people are able to use what they’ve learned to create projects and start initiatives. The past couple of summits have been very intentionally designed with that in mind, which is where the SDG Sandboxes and Dolphin Pools come into play. By taking advantage of those, participants can reflect on what they’ve learned in order to come up with effective solutions to the problems they see in their communities and around the world”, remarks Co-Secretary General, Ananya Balakrishnan.

Through our efforts, we are opening new doors of opportunities for each person who will participate in this summit somehow. While some students leave with a sparkling idea to solve a problem in their daily life, other participants would end up networking with a UN official or making new friends from various corners of the world! “Some could get involved with the amazing work of our partner organizations, while some participants would have a better understanding of a global issue. For organizations that present at our workshops, they get introduced to hundreds and thousands of youth activists to introduce their services! For the student leaders involved in the organisation of this summit, there’s a completely different plethora of life experiences that they go through. This is the kind of IMPACT that we look forward to through our E³ Summit,” explains conference Co-Secretary General, Vedant Kulkarni.

From fine plenaries, various SDG workshops to the interactive sandbox and dolphin pool sessions and exciting social hours, we provide today’s youth a platform to join this revolution of ‘Impact making’ by providing them with an opening to connect with like-minded people, to interact with accomplished thought-leaders and to utilize the opportunity to test their ‘wild ideas’.

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Sagesse High School Discuss SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Students at Sagesse High School, one of our partner schools, designed a presentation on SDG 10. They engaged over 60 students in fruitful, insightful and important dialogue. In the following article, members and organizers describe their thoughts about the event.
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Our team at SHSMUN has joined MUN Impact for the MENA region. As part of MUN Impact’s activities, SHSMUNers prepared a workshop about one of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Our team picked SDG #10, which focused on Reduced Inequalities. This SDG consists of working to reduce economic, racial, and social inequalities, among others. On Saturday, January 9th, our senior students George Andrea, Joseph Choefati, and John Bou Harb gave the workshop on this topic.

Around 60 students from different grade levels attended. The workshop also included a video of several of our students giving speeches about different types of inequality, which was prepared by Johnny Saad.

The workshop ended with a Q&A session where the attendees asked the presenters different questions regarding SDG #10. The students raised interesting points and highlighted key issues in their questions, which sparked meaningful discussions about gender inequality, economic inequality, and even educational inequality and its relevance to the current pandemic. 

The workshop was indeed fruitful and beneficial to everyone involved, and we aim to organize more virtual events like this!

-By V.E.

Some Reflections:

Today we talked about the SDG 10.
The presenters were approachable and inviting as they opened debate while explaining, and used many different students opinions in order to make the presentation interesting. 

The videos in my opinion would have been better if a discussion was replaced live with students (which is unfortunately not possible due to the pandemic). The presentation tackled important and negotiable ideas and points that created a debate in the Q&A at the end. I would have preferred if the Q&A session was longer as it was the best part of the entire session. All in all it was a nice presentation especially at the end.                                             
                                                                                                             -P.M.

The workshop was very informative and very interesting. We should definitely do more workshops like this in the future and make them longer to let the delegates engage more and give their opinions. It doesn’t have to be about the SDG it can be about many controversial topics which will really make it fun for everyone.

                                                                                                                                                           -Y.S.

The workshop was done in a very creative manner in terms of how the participants were involved, such as the Q&A session, the videos etc. This was crucial in order to increase the interaction and attention of the audience .

  -A.T.

Today’s workshop tackled many problems we face today, despite all the progress that has been made over the years. The senior MUNers made sure to go into details and responded quite impressively when the Q and A part came around.  In addition to the above, they had a clear picture for the new comers, giving them a clear image of what topics are really debated and talked about in the real world.  Lastly, it was clear that they put effort into the animation part where they made a video of students speaking about the topic. Grabbing the attention of all delegates in such a clever, but easy way.
                                                                                                                                                                               -A.Z.

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High Hopes for the MUN Impact Global Choir

By Ayomide Ajakaiye and Sara Cao

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As the MUN Impact Global Choir’s rendition of High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco commences, viewers are enthusiastically greeted by eleven students from all over the world singing their hearts out. In the video, a symphony of optimistic voices fills the air as they twirl together into an upbeat melody filled with promise while images of people protesting for the Black Lives Matter movement and volunteers picking up empty plastic bottles are displayed. After the song ends, the voices and images resonate with viewers as an encouraging message of “High Hopes” for the future is broadcasted. 

The global choir, composed of eleven students -Gladys, Hugh, Canran, Lois, Nicole, William, Jana, Ayomide, Nikharika, and Gracia- was originally a project with the goal of bringing positivity into a year characterized by bleakness and hopelessness. With hours of preparation from the students and their mentors, Andrew Newman and Taylor Pietz, on October 23rd, 2020, these eleven students debuted as MUN Impact’s premier Global Choir. Representing 10/11 countries from around the world, the choir successfully achieved its overall goal of belting out the messages of unity, positivity, and confidence into the MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0. 

The origins of the MUN Impact Global Choir stem from Andrew Newman, a MUN director from John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri, who came up with the idea of a virtual MUN Impact choir after seeing his first virtual choir while sheltering in place because of COVID-19. Newman recalls being blown away by its beauty, and even though he “understood immediately how challenging it must be to coordinate,” he thought that “the music was so inspirational and hopeful and [he] immediately thought of the work MUN Impact was doing and what a powerful message it would be for students to perform in their own virtual choir.” He knew that he wanted to cover the song, High Hopes, by Panic! At the Disco because he thought that “the words fit into the mission at MUN Impact; we have high hopes for the future of our planet and we have a vision to solve global issues and we are ALWAYS shooting for the stars with all of our ideas and programs that we create.” 

With this idea of a virtual choir and the song High Hopes in mind, Newman took to the MUN Impact Slack App channel and put out a call for students to join the choir if they enjoyed singing or had any past music experience. Many students replied, and Newman and Pietz discovered that they had a wide range of talents before them, as Newman comments that “the range of talent and the fact that the choir comes from all over the world is what makes it so special.” 

Having made a successful virtual choir in her own school, John Burroughs, Taylor Pietz took this experience with her into the Global Choir when Newman asked for her help. Pietz, who had not been involved with MUN before joining this project, found herself “impressed with [the choir participants’] level of professionalism and dedication” towards the program.  Being a fully virtual choir composed of students from different countries provided some new challenges for Pietz as she “really had to stop and make sure that what I [Pietz] was teaching made sense” to all of the participants. Her lack of experience did not prevent her from putting her best effort into the choir, and ultimately seeing students of a variety of different nationalities, all with huge passions for MUN, was very inspiring for her.

Given her previous experience singing at her church choir, Gladys Sophia, a choir participant from India was thrilled to join Newman and Pietz’s new enterprise. In no short time, the melody of High Hopes could be heard blaring from her TV as Sophia, with help from her older sister, Gracia, spent hours running through the song  “because we wanted to get each and every lyric clear…So we had to practice it and keep on practicing.”

Sophia’s amazing work ethic and devotion to the choir can, in some respects, be accredited to the phenomenal training she had received as a MUN@HOME delegate. She recalls participating in some of their first sessions, where she was asked to think critically about matters such as gender equality. These discussions, starting in MUN@HOME debates slowly translated into actual action with the choir. “We’re basically showcasing that we [the youth] in the future can make the world a better place. And that song also showcases that.” She also felt the diversity of the choir helped contribute to this message. Before joining MUN Impact, she “never knew anybody who was diverse.” That being so, she realized that for her, this was more than singing, but an opportunity to learn and experience different cultures while making an impact.

Similar to Gladys, William Weston, a choir member and a MUN Impact European diplomat from England, believed that diversity was a major strength of the choir. In his city of  Manchester,  William enjoys friendships with students from diverse backgrounds, however, he feels like it is completely different “to be in contact and working with people from all around the world.” For William, this diversity, paired with the youthful exuberance of the members, “left everyone who watched [the Global Choir’s video] with some inspiration to go out there and…try to make the world a better place.”

Though not every viewer of the Global Choir’s debut video speaks English, the song’s overall message was still clearly felt by the MUN Impact community as many still resonated with the optimism of the choir. Annemarie Hou, the Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Senior Communications Adviser in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General at United Nations, felt impacted by the voices of the choir as she stated: “Wow, that music is so inspiring and gives me very high hopes. One of my bosses, the deputy secretary general, often says to us: we need a symphony where everyone sings together otherwise we risk a cacophony. And I can tell you definitely that this is a symphony, which is what Model UN is really about- coming together to think about the wonderful mission of the UN.” 

The positive impact of the video was not only felt by Hou, but also by the overall MUN community and Andrew Newman recalled that participants of the choir felt “proud to be in the virtual choir and are asking when the next song will be chosen and they can sing again.” He also observed that “many new MUN Impact participants reached out and expressed their joy in knowing there is a choir and how they would love to join.  We have also heard accolades from the UN and MUN community who are so impressed with the choir and the choice of music.  “What a perfect song for you all to sing”, is what we have heard the most.”

The overall impact and message of the choir and the song, High Hopes, ties into MUN’s mission of the voice of youth expressing their views on global issues, since the choir is, according to Newman, “a new platform from which to speak/sing out to share our message.” It weaves together with MUN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as Newman phrases that “…the coming together of this group to form the choir, sharing a passion for music, is all about SDG 4 because we are educating each other through music.  SDG 3 as well because our music makes people smile and be happy and we all know those feelings of joy and happiness make us healthier….like how laughter is good for you, music can be as well.” Thus, the MUN Global Choir truly highlights the core values of MUN and unleashes a language of hopefulness we all are in need of in 2020. 

You can watch the performance here on YouTube.

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The Obstacles of Modern Feminism

By GRACE MAKWAZA & NEO MOKHAKALA

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Will we ever reach a point in our society where gender equality actually and universally exists? Many times our solutions inevitably create more problems. I, Neo Mokhakala, believe that there is a need to eradicate all forms of discrimination against females; however it is alarming that our desire to do so has become a quest to destroy the other gender. It makes me wonder if it is even possible to achieve SDG 5 and build a society where men and women live at peace without fighting for power. Experts predict that our quest to fight for gender equality might lead to what is called “War of the Genders.” Our cause has, in fact, often focused on “dethroning” men, and not the actual problem.

This and many other reasons inspired me to create an SDG 5 Socratic Seminar where males and females were brought in to give their opinions about how we can collectively implement SDG 5. This was held on Thursday, 5th November 2020 at the National University of Lesotho. The panelists who spoke for and against the motion for the day were the law students of the institution. And the motion was:

“Advocacy for Women’s Rights has Turned into The Emancipation Of Women by Diminishing the Rights Of Men. True or False?”

The males on the panel were quick to indicate that it is impossible to have gender equality in our society if we do not include men in our conversation. Many times, our society is quick to categorize ALL MEN as oppressors. They did, however, also point out that it is a moral obligation to help the women who do suffer and are oppressed.

The key points brought up in this seminar were that:

  1. In order for gender equality to actually make significant strides, men need to be brought into these kinds of conversations. Women cannot continue to think that they can do it by themselves without the active participation of men. When men are excluded from such discussions, we end up in a situation where men erroneously feel as if their rights are somehow being diminished.
  1. The fight for gender equality has been severely misunderstood by not only men, but women as well. Most feel like it has been reduced to a mere “male-bashing protest”, even though that was never the intention when this movement initially began. 

Unfortunately, some feminists have done more harm than good in this regard.

  1. Going forward then, it becomes imperative that both genders come to the realization that the freedom of one does not in any way translate into the oppression of the other. Thus, in addition to “de-victimizing” young girls, young boys also need to be “detoxified,” because at the end of the day it is abundantly clear that both genders have suffered under the patriarchal system that we currently live under.

In conclusion, the seminar taught all the participants that in order to achieve gender equality both genders need to stop fighting and being defensive. The concept of privilege was made apparent during the debate. We fail to see how the fight affects both genders. It is evident that patriarchy is the greatest hindrance for gender equality and is detrimental to both men and women. In order to move forward we need to “de-toxify” men and de-victimize women. A huge thank you to the National University of Lesotho for facilitating this event!

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Amrita Giridhar: Every Drop in the Ocean Counts – Achieving the SDGs one project at a Time

By Shambhawi Sahoo

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Amrita Giridhar, a grade nine student of American International School, Chennai, presented this workshop highlighting the important aspects of organising a project for the upliftment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She is a part of the leadership team at the MUN Impact club in Chennai. As the title of the workshop aptly speaks, Amrita brought out the importance of collaboration and working to achieve one SDG at a time.

MUN is a highly effective tool to get involved with global problem solving. But, how to put those solutions into action? That’s when organising projects comes into play. 

Amrita talked about several activities one could get involved with. Awareness campaigns are instruments which involve educating the community about global issues, making posters and brochures to spread awareness about the targeted issue. The goal is to ensure maximum engagement. MUN Impact Chennai organised a project called ‘Yes Food: No Poverty targeting SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 2: Zero Hunger.  Service activities could be long-term activities such as fundraising events and welfare programs. Our club at Chennai in association with the Teach For India organisation taught kids of financially backward families to debate and instilled confidence in them. Short-term service activities include organising a charity drive such as distributing food, stationery, etc. In one of their charity drives, the club got a chance to talk to women of an NGO called Kranti Organisation which rescues girls from Red Light areas. They even organised a lapathon which involved donating a few dollars for every lap one runs. Interactive activities involve the whole community working together for a cause. This incorporates SDG 17: Partnering for the goals.

Amrita added that outlining goals for your project is crucial for it to become successful and make an impact. She also pointed out that working with local NGOs turns out to be a very effective method to ensure maximum engagement. However, it is important to note the NGO’s relation to your project as well as question the alignment of interests of both parties. It is also necessary to have good communication with the NGO as well as have a project proposal ready beforehand. 

Next followed a highly interactive activity where participants were assigned breakout rooms to create their own project! They were given ten minutes to plan the project. One of the groups planned on organising a fundraising debate to address food scarcity, while the other group planned to assist displaced people by organising a yard sale. 

She brought out the importance of planning by creating action plans and check-lists in order to achieve desired results. Communication within a team is important for the project to be a successful one. 

The workshop called its participants to take action in order to achieve the SDGs. Check out MUN Impact Chennai’s website for more information. The full recording of this session can be accessed here.

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Brian Lain: TASMUN in retrospect – Journey to SDG integration

By Meenakshi Mariappan

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As one of the Model UN conferences which enjoys a “highly recommended” status from the THIMUN Advisory Board, Taipei American School Model United Nations, or TASMUN, is truly a force to be reckoned with. And for good reason, as can be seen from their innovative methods to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals in all aspects of the conference. Little do they know that they are setting a global example and reigning in a new era of MUN activism.

In conversation with Brian Lain, who has served as a Secretary-General for TASMUN, participants were able to leave the session inspired by recent initiatives and ideas of the TASMUN Secretariat. For Brian, the values of MUN go beyond so much more than the common perceptions surrounding it: “it makes you more globally aware”, serves as a chance to “make friends,” and of course, “improve your public speaking skills.” Whilst these are in no way wrong, MUN is about capturing the real essence of the UN. And what better way to achieve this, than by looking to the SDGs. Brian revealed that after his visit to the UN General Assembly a few years ago, he began to really give thought to the importance of the SDGs in MUN conferences. He admitted that his vision was to “not just to train people, but to equip people with the tools and the skills they need to contribute to the SDGs.” And after TASMUN students headed to Qatar to participate in the creation of MUN Impact, there was no looking back. Since 2018, the SDGs have then fused with the spirit of TASMUN, resulting in a synergy which has powered student efforts for the goals forward. 

The SDGs first made their appearance in TASMUN through the creation of specific goal-related committees, in place of the orthodox UN committees we are familiar with. As discussed in the session, these SDG-focused committees would serve to be an effective way to raise awareness in participating delegates. However, participants also pointed out potential drawbacks, with delegates facing the difficulty of coming up with ideas that would actually make an impact in the world or the focus on entire SDGs being too large in scope due to the existence of a wide range of targets. Moreover, Brian pointed out another TASMUN initiative put in place to promote engagement with the SDGs: Impact Hour. With its intentions to stimulate delegates’ interests in the SDGs and inspire them “to take another set forward,” this involved reserving the last hour of the conference to facilitate group discussions with regards to the MUN Impact worksheet. 

Additionally, in 2019, TASMUN launched the first Global Goals Challenge to encourage students from several schools to share their projects regarding the SDGs. A video on one such remarkable project by TAS students was shared with attendees during the session. The International Genetically Engineered Machine (IGEM) competition group from the school used synthetic biology, working with proteins to identify heavy metal and pesticides in agricultural residues. In truth, this project engages with SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), and 12 (Sustainable consumption); the students used this project to inform and educate producers, distributors and consumers about the impact of agricultural residues. As Brian noted, this is one of many outstanding efforts which showed “how student projects in and out of class can really have an actual impact.”

The session was strongly focused on participant input with active discussion about TASMUN’s past experimental initiatives. Similarly, it can be said that this is what is needed to advance the SDG effort. Whilst these goals appear quite far from reach, they are ever-relevant. Brian’s words resonated throughout the session in that the UN cannot achieve the SDGs alone; “they need the help of civil society — of individuals.” And as global citizens, Brian believes that it is our responsibility to “amplify some voices” and do our best to fight for a better future. TASMUN has come a long way in its contribution to the SDG effort, and it continues to grow in the hands of passionate student leaders like Brian. In attending this session about TASMUN’s journey, participants were able to walk away with new-found inspiration, and more importantly, the revelation that Model UN is more than just debate. Rather, it involves a higher degree of activism and altruism. 

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Omayma Cherkaoui: The Road Less Traveled By – Student Leadership for a Better World

By Chandrasnata Mohanty

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Omayma Cherkaoui is a high school freshman who truly believes that anyone who works on improving their leadership skills and knowledge, undoubtedly has the potential to be a competent and successful leader. Throughout her high school years, she has embarked on a long leadership journey to find out answers to the different questions about leadership that she has always wanted to find out. In her workshop, she talks about her journey as a leader, how she pushed herself out her “comfort – zone “, skills that can be acquired from Model United Nations and her learning experiences, with special emphasis on SDG 11. Her inspiring words left all the participants in awe and with a desire to better themselves as future leaders.

Omayma was a naturally ambitious and inquisitive individual from quite a young age. She was always interested in all sorts of activities and would always try to put her best in it. The fact that she was Generation Z has a strong influence on her and she was inspired by leaders and eminent personalities, about whom she read online. She had a flame ignited in her heart as she always asked herself “why can’t I be there?” or “if they can be there, why can’t it be ME?” This attitude drove her to grab all the leadership opportunities in her way and potential risks. She was a dreamer, but at a point she realised that dreaming without action is pointless and felt the need of change.

She categorises her leadership journey into 3 categories, namely, school leadership, MUN leadership and online leadership.

She was a member of the student council of her school, and though there were trials, it truly opened her eyes and gave her very important required experience, which she calls an important aspect in leadership. She also went on to become the head girl of her school in the last year of her high school. She served as the vice-president of her MUN Club of her school, before which she was a communication officer and this was where the ambition kicked in, teaching her the power of mentorship. She describes online leadership as very important as many initiatives require proper guidance and even though one may not have the desired opportunities in their school or community, they can always turn to the internet. Again, perks of being Gen Z!

As a lover of literature, she was inspired by the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and that is how she names her workshop “The road less travelled by”. She explains the meaning of the road less traveled by as our own unique journey as an individual when we push ourselves out of our comfort-zones, in spite of all the doubts we have, and test our true limits and view life through a creative lens which is none other our own perspective rather than the world’s methods.

“I would highly advise everyone to go for the road less traveled by, but on your own terms and your definition”. 

She reiterates SDG 11 as the most important SDG which is Sustainable Cities and Communities. She justifies her statement by sharing related statistics and discusses the problems that would follow including climate change and congestion, unemployment, education and housing.

She conducts an activity among the participants to prove how all the SDGs are related and by achieving one the remaining would follow.

This interests all our participants and the next moment the chat box was flooded with responses!

“To advance our progress in SDG 11 we need competent and emotionally intelligent leaders in every sector!”, she quotes and explains that just getting the job done and we’ll need to be empathetic. “Empathy is a very prized quality”. 

She shares valuable tips with us on how to plan, make teams and be prepared for every thing that comes in our way. She exemplifies the idea of ‘Think Global, Act Local’, while starting an organisation or initiative. After all, it starts with small steps! “MUN Impact is a great example, we have representatives, who act local, making an impact in their own communities and we have people from different countries all doing that and together, it becomes global.” She asks the participants to make good use of the internet in the process. “There are different strategies like marketing and logistics, but make sure you first start local and eventually it becomes global.”

She introduces the concept of ‘Ikigai ‘ which means a ‘reason for being’ and in order to reach that, passion, profession, vocation and mission are the essential elements. She also entreats to identify strengths and work on enhancing them. One way to do so would be taking the VIA Test which is a free test introduced by the VIA Institute led by Psychologists and Researchers. Capitalising strengths and working on the “C” strengths; which stand for creativity, communication and critical thinking;  from Model United Nations would be the most valuable qualities on your leadership journey.

As we come to the end of the session, Omayma quotes Simon Sinek, “Infinite-minded leaders understand that “best” is not a permanent state. Instead, they strive to be “better.” “Better” suggests a journey of constant improvement and makes us feel like we are being invited to contribute our talents and energies to make progress in that journey” and leaves the audience motivated to walk their unique leadership journey helping the community.

Missed the session? No problem! Watch the complete session on YouTube by clicking here.

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Rocco Fantini and Cassidy Dalva: No Cap News – Informing Today’s Youth & Tomorrow’s Leaders

By William Weston

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The lockdowns imposed in many countries around the world in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic led to lots of people finding new ways to occupy their time. For some it was learning a new language, for others it was participating in online events, however, for Rocco, an avid MUNer and soccer fan, and Cassidy, a keen and competitive debater, it was founding a student-run news organization. No Cap News (NCN) creates factual and non-partisan coverage in an aim to combat the dangerous misinformation spread on social media and to try to keep today’s youth informed of current events, whilst not swaying their political opinions.

The Los Angeles based duo, along with their international team of volunteer writers, editors, and managers, create digestible and concise content in an attempt to make current affairs as accessible as possible. One unique project the NCN team have been working on is the COVID-19 updates that they release daily on social media. In addition, the team are currently working on an app in order to make access to unbiased news even easier.

It is the unbiased nature of NCN which makes them so unique, as every NCN story tells multiple perspectives on Political matters, not just one. In several countries, such as the US and India, there has been a huge increase in political polarization in recent years. Rocco explained that this has had an impact on news coverage of political events, as an increasing number of broadcasters litter their news reports with political rhetoric. Additionally, there has been a large increase in misinformation in social media, including during the 2016 US Election and the Brexit Referendum in the UK. Furthermore, Rocco emphasized the need to get the youth, in particular, engaged in politics as more than 45% of eligible voters did not vote in the 2016 US Election, a large amount of whom were under 25.

Since March 2020, when NCN was founded, the organization has grown to reach over 115,000 readers in more than 15 countries. Therefore, creating a global community, which Rocco liked to MUN Impact. Also similar to MUN Impact, are the core values of No Cap News which can be linked closely to the SDGs, in particular SDG 4 (Quality Education) and Target 4.7 (Education for sustainable development and global citizenship). Furthermore, Cassidy explained how, like they did, we can use the SDGs to find a problem which we can try to solve. Once decided on a broad subject area, like an SDG, we should aim to narrow it down to a specific target that we can then use to create a mission and a vision for our organization. After that, the key is to find a team of leaders with diverse and complementary abilities and working with that team to create an online space, such as a website or social media page as a method to share our organization’s message and expand its reach.

No Cap News is a truly inspirational product of a rather dull period of time and a reminder that no matter what is thrown in the youth’s path, they will always find a way to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues, in order to make Planet Earth a better place for all. 

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Fernando Naranjo: Retos económicos para los Gobiernos Latinoamericanos afectados por la pandemia

Valentina Raymond

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Sin duda la economía es uno de los principales elementos afectados fuertemente por la pandemia, y Fernando Naranajo nos explica los diferentes retos económicos que los gobiernos Latinoamericanos enfrentarán. Si bien es cierto, antes del COVID-19, las expectativas económicas eran buenas para el presente año, según el Banco Mundial se esperaba un crecimiento económico del 1,6% para LATAM en 2020, el crecimiento de los mercados emergentes y las economías en desarrollo pretendía acelerarse al 4,1%. No obstante estas predicciones no pudieron ser cumplidas, ya que fueron establecidas hasta el mes de enero, donde la pandemia no estaba en auge.

Basándose en un tema coyuntural, Fernando nos explica de manera detallada, los desafíos que se están presentando ante los gobiernos, tales como lo son; Garantizar un óptimo sistema de salud pública, hemos evidenciado que estos no son aptos en LATAM y existe la necesidad de inversión en la salud. Reducir el déficit fiscal, ya que si un estado está gastando más de lo que tiene, la deuda que este mantiene incrementa. Dar incentivos al sector privado, si se les inyecta liquidez a este, no se verán ahorcados con deudas e impuestos. Incrementar las plazas de empleo en cada país, se debe tomar en consideración que en toda latinoamérica se perdió entre 4.9 y 4.5% de empleo, el expositor hace énfasis que de 10 personas solo 5 de estos cuentan con un trabajo estable, los otros son informales como las ventas que se realizan en las calles. De igual manera encontramos otros retos como fomentar la inversión extranjera directa, garantizar la seguridad jurídica, liberar el comercio, y principalmente dar un pleno cumplimientos de todos los ODS.

En mano con lo mencionado, se proponen diferentes soluciones para los retos presentados, como lo es el apoyar a las PYMES, las cuales representan entre un 55 y 58%,  inyección de capital a la bolsa de valores, emisión de bonos de ayuda para las personas con escasos recursos, aplazamiento de deudas tributarias, así como consensos entre empleado y empleador para evitar despidos, situación que se pudo evidenciar de manera frecuente durante los meses de cuarentena.

Fernando nos explica la importancia del ODS 8 en este tema, objetivo que tiene como fin  “el promover el crecimiento económico sostenido, inclusivo y sostenible, el empleo pleno, productivo y el trabajo decente para todos”. Por otra parte, los participantes pudieron sumergirse en este nuevo término denominado e-commerce, el cual consiste en la compra y venta de productos o de servicios a través de internet, tales como redes sociales y otras páginas web, si mencionamos un ejemplo está Amazon, que ganó aproximadamente 13.3 billones en cuanto a ventas de productos en línea.

Fernando deja a los jóvenes diferentes alternativas para aportar con los ODS y a la economía de sus países, una de estas puede ser el generar emprendimientos e iniciar su pequeño negocio, otra opción puede ser invertir en la bolsa de valores con los ahorros disponibles, y por último, lo más recomendado, innovar para bien.

Para despedirse nuestro expositor hace hincapié en la importancia de comprender un poco más sobre este tema coyuntural, la pandemia afectó fuertemente a la economía, no solo a los Estados, si no también a sus ciudadanos. La recesión, el confinamiento, las trabas, todo esto fueron obstáculos para equiparar la economía como estaba previsto, sin embargo, con trabajo y esfuerzo se logrará el cumplimiento de los ODS.

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Zoey Fisher & Irene Kwon: More than MUN – How to Incorporate Philanthropy into Your Passion Projects

By Shambhawi Sahoo

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Zoey Fisher & Irene Kwon are high school seniors in the USA. Zoey currently serves as the MUN Impact Global Secretary General, the executive director for Princeps Leadership Initiative and was the Co-Secretary General at GLOMUN 2020. Irene Kwon is the MUN Impact Deputy Secretary General for North America, the President  for Princeps Leadership Initiative and was also Co-Secretary General at GLOMUN 2020.

The presentation began with defining philanthropy as not just a concept of donating money for charity, but as a concept for promoting general welfare of others, whether it be through donating money or contributing your time, energy and skills. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are synonymous to philanthropy as they seek to make this world a better place to live in. The SDG targets allow you to narrow down your focus to one cause and dedicate your project to that cause. 

In the next section, the duo shared their story of working with GLOMUN, and how it turned from an MUN into an NGO. The idea of GLOMUN blossomed in the late spring when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak and most MUN conferences were cancelled. The GLOMUN organising team asked for advice from college graduates and connected with youth leaders all around the world. They created a spreadsheet to track information and tasks and used Slack to organize the committees as well as communicate effectively. Social Media played a huge role in promoting the conference. The conference charged $20 for every participant, but provided financial support to those who needed it. All earnings of the conference went towards the World Health Organization(WHO). After this successful venture, the team decided to transform GLOMUN into an NGO. It plans to donate it’s earnings to a charitable organisation. 

Zoey and Irene presented a 4-step plan to organize a project. First and foremost, choose the cause for which you want to work. Second, connect the cause to the global initiatives that are already in full flow. Third, build a team of passionate individuals who are willing to work for that cause. Fourth, plan and promote your project to ensure maximum participation. 

They provided the participants with event and program ideas to work for a cause. Debates, MUN conferences, workshops, publications (such as magazines and brochures), competitions and challenges are effective ways to promote your cause. They even equipped the participants with resources which  can be used to organise events and programs.

The workshop true to its name highlighted the real essence of philanthropy and was highly resourceful for changemakers.

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Ambi and Binu Subramaniam: 100,000 deeds campaign – being SMART about the Global Goals

By Chandrasnata Mohanty

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The #100,000 Deeds campaign is a youth-driven initiative that aims to spread awareness and calls for action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Engineered by the famous brother-sister musical duo Ambi and Bindu Subramaniam from Bangalore, India; the story begins with the #10,000 Deeds campaign. The founders of the popular music academy, SaPa (Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts); initially launched the 10,000 Deeds campaign in November, 2017 in partnership with UNICEF India . They chose the 14th of November; celebrated throughout India as Children’s day; to mark the cause of impacting young minds. Some schools of Bangalore adopted the campaign and there was an overwhelming response as the participants ranged from different age groups. “There were kids as young as 3 years and as old as of the 12th grade”, shares the brother, Ambi Subramaniam.

“We made ‘Deed cards’ and brochures for the children, especially the young ones as the high schoolers could come up with their own ideas. We listed around 4-5 ideas under each SDG, in the brochure, so that if they do not have any ideas, they can refer to those. For example, for someone who is just 3 years old , they could do simple things like close the tap and save water”, recalls Bindu Subramaniam.
The brochures and Deed cards were translated into the regional language, Kannada, so that even the students of government schools could participate in the campaign. After which, the students were quite enthusiastic and happy about taking part in it. As the name of the campaign suggests, #10,000 Deeds, over 10000 students from different schools of Bangalore were a part of it and the campaign became a giant success. They also show
us their works as they composed while working on this campaign, in collaboration with Thayir Sadam Project. These can be accessed through YouTube. The link to which is as follows:
A Million Dreams : https://youtu.be/UN8x4r95rig

Superheroes without capes : https://youtu.be/gyGVv3LzxgA

Ambi and Binu are now set to launch the #100,000 Deeds campaign, globally. The launch will be in 2021, with much more outreach and students from any corner of the world are welcomed to participate in it! Schools, youth groups and individual students can take a small action to support the SDGs. That action is then recorded on a Deed Card, which is then shared with others on social media. Further planning and discussion will take place during November and December.

Our Goal is to promote #100,000 Deeds on every continent and as many countries as possible. If you are interested in promoting it in your community, well then, you’re welcome to join the #Deed Team! As this is a youth focussed initiative, the quest for interested and dedicated high school students to be a part of the #100,000 Deed Team has begun!
We had students from countries like Mexico, Philippines, India, Kuwait and Qatar as well as teachers who were very excited about the idea and contributed their ideas towards the planning of the campaign with enthusiasm. Ms. Nicola, a member of the MUN Impact Board of Directors, was one of the first to pitch in. She shared her ideas about how she as a teacher could fulfill her part in Spain.

If you think this is the perfect mould for you to fit in, click on this link and join our
mailing list! After which, you shall be notified about upcoming meetings and discussions, which are set to begin in early November.

Missed the session? Not an issue. Here is the link for you to watch it on YouTube!

Remember, every Deed counts!
Now MUN Impact is building on the creative inspiration to expand the campaign to schools around the world, setting a goal of 100,000 deeds worldwide! All the deeds together help build a wave of momentum towards achieving the SDGs.

Each day presents you with a good opportunity, to make the world a better place. The best way to change the world is one good deed at a time.
So what are you waiting for? Join us and let’s make this world a better place together.

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The UN75 Essay Contest in Lesotho: Celebrating Grace Makwaza

Grace Makwaza, a MUN Impact team member, was one of ten people who won the UN75 Essay Contest in Lesotho. We celebrate her achievement and hope you are inspired by her passion for the Sustainable Development Goals, multi-level change and global unity. Here is her essay:

________

In a world where chaos has taken its toll on the entire world population, many question the notion of change is possible. It is easy to doubt it because when we look at our world from the lens of being realistic, there is so much turmoil that we all do not know what to do and we just normalize it. What if I told you that change is possible? What if I told you that there is light at the end of this gloomy tunnel? I may be young and inexperienced about life but the beauty of it is that my imagination is oblivious to impossibility. When I look at legends like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Malala Yousafzai and many more, I realize that it will take willpower and fearlessness to reach our goal: A Better World By 2045.  

My ideal world by 2030 should have dealt with pressing world issues. This means there are no wars or economic conflicts or even gender disparities. These can be dealt with by accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. This will not only improve our world but will create a better tomorrow for the next generation. It starts by creating small charity events in our communities that we can combat the effects of poverty. Small efforts as these can give birth to independent people who do not rely on government for their sustainability. Secondly, we can wage war against gender issues by eradicating the misconception that human rights should be granted on the premise of our genders. If we teach our children from a young age that humans should be respected and given the right to choose what they want, then we can build a happier world by 2045. In general, I envision a world that is more focused on solving problems faced by the human race rather than waging war against each other due to their inability to solve their problems. In my world, it is peaceful, sustainable, and most importantly, people are not marginalized due to their color, race, or gender.

As I go through my ideal world, the first thing I see is proactive youth. According to the Oxford Dictionary, someone who is proactive is more involved in creating positive change in society. I envision a day in which young people come together from all parts of the world to build each other up and encourage each other to be the change they want to see. On this day, activists, campaigners, and all kinds of youth will come together to become problem solvers. It is discouraging to see the youth of today taking little initiative to start something that could benefit our world. Many are discouraged because nobody believes in their voice and nobody takes the time to listen to them. This is why I have envisioned this particular day in my world. It will be on August 12-the already existing International Youth Day and yes, young people all over the world will come together to celebrate their potential, rid their mindset of inadequacy, and most importantly, they will be there to devise means to solve problems the world faces.

I believe that we can recreate our world to having poverty completely eradicated so that our children and grandchildren can live in a better world than our own. According to the Oxford dictionary, poverty is defined as a state of having little to no belongings to meet one’s needs. The effects of poverty include malnutrition, lack of education, homelessness, and many more. Many think that stagnant economies and elevated poverty is the norm and there is nothing we can do about it. In the fight against poverty, the first step is to create jobs. To kick start this, the federal government should invest in job creation strategies such as rebuilding infrastructure, developing renewable energy sources, and renovating abandoned houses. Jobs such as these will cater to the people who are not educated and still need to make a living to take care of their families as they are labor and not intellectually oriented. Secondly, people in the same community can create organizations that fight poverty. This can be done by volunteering to create soup kitchens, fundraising events, as well as school fees drives to help the needy. Once people join hands to actively help with the little they can, a lot of impact can be created and slowly but surely, poverty will end. Also, we can create NGOs concerned with helping the needy. These could be responsible for building shelters for the homeless, feeding the poor, and educating people about how they can start businesses to sustain themselves. The UN set out No Poverty as the number one goal in its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This means that it is a concern for all countries to fight against it. As such, let us join hands as individuals, communities, NGOs, and Governmental Bodies to fight poverty.

Looking at the world from the lens of being realistic, I do not think my children and grandchildren will have the opportunities that I have today. This may sound rather pessimistic but the reality is that our resources are being used up faster than they can be replaced, as such, the sustainability of our next generation is uncertain. It is said that climate change is predicted to be irreversible by 2030, further jeopardizing the well-being and possible opportunities of our next generation. The generation today has more opportunities because resources are still abundant, job opportunities still require human labor, and most importantly, they still depend on their brains for problem-solving. I am personally worried about the next generation because they will not only be dealing with consequences of our contribution to climate change such as natural disasters but they will have the problems of that time as well. It is scary to admit that they might not even be employable because Artificial Intelligence will be a better option than humans who are biased and make a lot of mistakes.

“Pain is the greatest teacher” is a common adage which we take for granted. It is in the year 2020 that the entire world has learned that pain is indeed the greatest teacher because it allows us to look within and ask ourselves where we have been going wrong. For the first time in history, the entire world has paused because of the Corona Virus. In as much as this is the most tragic event, it has taught us valuable lessons. For starters, we have learned that there is a need to invest more in the health sector. We can do this by investing in health facilities and the health sector more for we all have learned that health is our wealth and not money. After all this, I hope people will get health insurance and start preparing for the unknowns. Secondly, we have learned that family is the biggest treasure we have. Having spent time-forcefully though with our loved ones, I believe that we all have learned that the time we have with our loved ones is golden because we never know when we might lose them. Most importantly, for individuals, we all have learned to prioritize our mental health. People are dying not just of the virus at this time but of depression and domestic violence. With this, I believe we all have learned that there is a need to face our problems head-on and find solutions to them at an early stage. Even though we are forced to stay indoors with these problems, self-sufficiency and working on ourselves is vital at this point because we all realize that we have all have problems which need us to solve them and what better way than to use this time where we are faced with a tragedy as a way to revitalize ourselves.

We are all familiar with the words, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I have realized that we expect to change from so many people and criticize them when they fail to bring our expectations to reality. Therefore, I will be the change I want to see by using my Model UN skills to educate them about the role they have to play in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. This can be achieved by uniting young people and others to understand that they are responsible for the sustainability of the world. Also, I will come up with campaigns that will promote unity, action for climate change as well as to wage war against gender disparities. Furthermore, I will use my social presence to evoke action for the mental health of people. By spreading a message of hope, I believe that we can make a better world and I want to be that hope.

There are so many things that our world needs to improve on to be better by 2030. Although change may be a very slow process, its benefits are rewarding. If I was, to sum up, this topic in one sentence, I would say that we need to build a sustainable world by uniting to fight against all the problems our world faces. In the words of Barack Obama, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the change we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek.” It may not be easy but it is possible so let us persevere through the storms impossibility may throw at us and let us unite and build a better world by 2030. Who said we can’t?

By Grace Makwaza

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Camila Criollo: ¿Realmente sirve lo que aprendes?

María Teresa Egea Díaz

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Dentro del marco del “Global Summit 2.0”, la estudiante de Psicología Camila Criollo ha dado una charla titulada “¿Realmente sirve lo que aprendes?” relacionada con el Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible 4. 

La primera parte de su presentación ha tratado sobre el sistema educativo actual, comparándolo con el que existía hace 100 años. Esta comparación ha concluido que lo único que parece importante es recordar algo durante un periodo corto de tiempo, como un examen.

Tras tratar el tema de los problemas en el sistema educativo, como la ausencia de cambio o la desmotivación que genera en los estudiantes, se han propuesto diferentes maneras de mejorar el aprendizaje. Camila ha puesto un énfasis especial en las actividades interactivas. Dentro de las actividades interactivas, se podrían incluir los Modelos de Naciones Unidas, que permiten a los estudiantes llegar a sus propias conclusiones y aprender de una manera independiente.

Al ser una estudiante de Psicología, Camila ha querido hablar sobre los distintos métodos de aprendizaje de las personas. Estos distintos métodos pueden ser muy útiles a la hora de llevar a cabo un proceso de autoaprendizaje, que puede ser ejecutado por cualquiera con voluntad, decisión, disciplina y un deseo de aplicar lo aprendido. Especialmente útiles a la hora de aprender independientemente son las tecnologías disponibles en la actualidad. 

La última parte de la presentación ha reflejado la necesidad de cambiar el sistema educativo. Al comenzar la charla, se ha mostrado una cita de Sigmund Freud y se ha explicado el proceso de la creación de un origami. Al finalizar, se ha pedido a los participantes repetir la frase o realizar el origami. Unánimemente, los participantes han contestado que podían hacer el origami otra vez pero no recordar la frase. Este ejemplo ha servido como una toma de conciencia de que el sistema educativo funcionaría mejor si se realizaran más actividades prácticas. 

Todos los participantes en la actividad se han mostrado muy participados e involucrados en la misma, planteando a la presentadora preguntas sobre cómo se podría cambiar el modelo educativo y las distintas iniciativas que los estudiantes pueden tomar para aprender. Al responder a estas preguntas, ella ha explicado que cada estudiante debe tomar conciencia de lo importante que es el autoaprendizaje. De este modo, un cambio de actitud es más importante que esperar que el sistema educativo sea modificado.

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Bringing the Summit to a close – Closing Ceremony and Dolphin Pool

By William Weston

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On Sunday, the Closing Ceremony of the MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0 and yet another excellent plenary session commenced, starting off with an insightful presentation by Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, the founder and Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation. Born in Peru but grown up in the USA, from the age of 12, Sergio has been an entrepreneur and since then has had engagements with the White House and the United Nations. In his presentation he highlighted the benefits and the importance of using technology and digital platforms, such as Twitter and YouTube, to promote our messages and to communicate with others. When asked about how we should try to tackle corruption in our governments, pointing in particular to South America, Sergio told us that we should not give on the governmental systems in our countries, but rather take action in an attempt to change it. He told participants that it is our job to “build tomorrow today”. In addition, when asked about the power that adults have in decision making, he told attendees that “youth need to be part of the conversation”. He also added that we need to create a dialogue with adults to hear what they really care about.

Following an insightful presentation into Sergio’s work, attention quickly shifted to the inaugural Dolphin Pool event. This was following the SDG Sandbox event that took place on Saturday, where participants had the chance to develop action projects over 12 workshops, all focusing on different SDGs. It was during the Dolphin Pool event that select participants were given the chance to present their new initiatives in front of a panel of five judges. This panel consisted of: Paul Johnson (CEO at 1337 Digital in West Sussex, United Kingdom); Peter Cameron-Burnett (CEO at FunnelRepublic in Devon, United Kingdom); Alix Tregenza (Educator in Bilbao, Spain); John-Paul Parmigiani (CEO & Co-founder at Impact Hub New York Metropolitan Area in New York City, USA); and the Closing Ceremony’s keynote speaker, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova.

The Dolphin Pool session, a more constructive take on the hugely popular and highly competitive ‘Shark Tank’ television franchise, was host to creative and innovative ideas which were presented by teams of participants, all focusing on a certain area covered by the SDGs. For example, a project aimed at tackling SDGs 1 and 2 (No Poverty and Zero Hunger) which would involve collaboration between food chains and food delivery services to provide free food to the vulnerable and those who wouldn’t alternatively have access to it was suggested by a group of three participants. Another group suggested swapping out plastics in ice cream parlors with cloth bags in support of SDG 13 (Climate Action). Finally, a project aimed to help SDGs 14 and 15 (Life below water and Life on land) plans to plant mangrove trees in order to improve coastal ecosystems in a scheme called Mangroves for Man.

It was truly inspiring to hear eager participants pitch solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues in teams with people from around the world who they had not even met until 24 hours before the Dolphin Pool event. It is sessions like these that highlight the true collaborative and international fabric that makes MUN Impact and its events, such as the Summit, the melting pot of ideas and inspiration that leads to Impact in our communities, wherever we are in the world. 

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Negina Shinwari, Rahmatullah Hamdard and Sulaiman Sulaimankhil: No Money, no network? No problem!

By Meenakshi Mariappan

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Even in “a country that has experienced more than four decades of war,” Model UN has prevailed. In this session, Rahmatullah Hamdard, Sulaiman Sulaimankhil and Negina Shinwari from Afghanistan, shared their inspiring journey about how they introduced MUN in a conflict zone through the establishment of the ‘Hope for Education and Leadership in Afghanistan’ organisation (HELA). Firstly, Hamdard revealed “the different kinds of miseries” that accompanied the war by showing participants some distressing photographs of the state of the country. “The war,” he says, “is still here. The whole education system of the country was totally destroyed, it was weakened, it had no existence at the time.” Whilst this sets the context for the dire circumstances in which our speakers had to persevere, they echoed that “the children, the women, and the men chose hope over despair.”

It was in this conflict-torn backdrop that Model UN began to surface in Afghanistan, thanks to the efforts of our speakers for this session. Sulaimankhil shared the story of their modest beginnings by revealing that it all started whilst they were studying English at a UN compound with a UN representative. It was here that they came across the opportunity to participate in THIMUN Qatar 2015 as the first ever Afghan delegation to the conference. After undertaking the necessary training, the team traveled to partake in the conference, leaving as changed people with broader perspectives. They also revealed that people at the conference asked them this question: “What do you want to do when you return to your country?” And it was at this moment, that they became determined to “spread the knowledge with more Afghan youth.”

Initially, the group began the dissemination of MUN training in the country with “a small class of 10 boys and 10 girls, in a cold and dark space,” training the second Afghan delegation for THIMUN Qatar 2016. The speakers also fondly recalled the first one-committee (Security Council) conference they organised in a small office. Gradually, with the expansion of their network of donors and partners in Kabul, the group was able to organise their first, and very successful, one-day conference. “This was the time,” Sulaimankhil shared, “when the rise of MUN started in Kabul, and in Afghanistan. The youth began to understand the intellectual value of Model UN.” Shortly after, the team organised a two-day conference, and invited embassies in the region “to show them that MUN is important.” The HELA organisation now boasts an impressive record of providing over 500 students from 13 universities with MUN training each year, besides creating MUN clubs and organising several provincial conferences to select the best talents to invest in, who could then continue the legacy of spreading MUN in the country. Shinwari also mentioned that they had started the HELA women empowerment project called ‘Women in Business’ to mould the future businesswomen of the country. Moreover, the organisation had secured partnerships with the UNODC and the US embassy in Afghanistan, in addition to various others. The speakers proudly revealed that HELA had also sent delegates to conferences in India, THIMUN 2016, 2017, and 2018, and even the 15th anniversary of THIMUN at the Hague, Netherlands. 

The speakers then proceeded to share what helped them reach where they are today. Firstly, Hamdard emphasised the importance of “having the right team, having the right network.” In truth, they expressed their thanks to their “partners from different corners of the world,” Ms Martin, former head of THIMUN Qatar, Mr Newman, from John Burroughs School, Mr Eckert, and Ms Sinclair from TASMUN — all current members of the MUN Impact Board — who played a role in HELA’s story. Sulaimankhil says, “they were the right people who pushed us. They helped, trusted and supported us. And we also convinced them that we were the right people, to help more youth in Afghanistan.” 

More importantly, the speakers reinforced throughout the importance of commitment. Here, they uttered words of wisdom which hold true in any given circumstances:“If you don’t have commitment, you will never get to your goal.” They shared nostalgically that it was the “commitment of doing something, bringing some changes to our country, bring changes to the people,” which spurred their efforts further. 

Whilst they faced numerous difficulties throughout this journey, they admitted that they “never minded.” Having grown from “nothing to something,” the HELA founders remarked that “MUN is not a time-passing thing. It is about the self growth aspect, the importance it has on a country level, on an education system level.” Although they realise that “HELA is still not a mature organisation, and we still have a long way to go,” they continue to persevere because “we have to be the ones who can bring hope to the youth, the hope of leadership and the hope of standard education.” If there is anything participants were able to take away from this inspiring session, it is the power of MUN, the power of committed individuals and the power of hope.

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A Presenter’s Perspective – Harnessing the power of small everyday actions with EnRoute

By Angela Busheska

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In life, we all know that it is the small things that count. Imagine that beautiful sunny day, out with people who you love, eating your favorite meal with some great conversation that makes you laugh till you cry, accompanied by the sound of the chirping birds in the background. It turns out that we didn’t have to invest a fortune to be happy.

But why, why when it comes to saving CO2 emissions, we pretend that it is so difficult that we need to re-invent the wheel to be more eco-friendly?

To find the answer to this question MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0 gave me a chance to take an amazing audience on a journey where each one took the chance to be transformed into the climate hero Planet Earth deserves to have.

We started this journey in Skopje, the capital city of my country, and the city with the highest air pollution. As always we started to find the reasons, but then instead of blaming the government, we asked ourselves, what we have done to stop it? And it turned out that we weren’t much better. 

Realizing that it is never too late to change and challenge the status quo, we made a breakdown of the minor daily activities that are harmful to our environment, and thus, on the other side easy to change. Have you ever thought of doing grocery shopping on the way back home, instead of making an additional trip? Or have you ever thought that the elections are not the only way to vote, but you are doing that every single day while buying clothes and giving power to one or another company to protect or pollute our environment?

Asking and researching these thought-provoking questions, we realized that per day, each person can save around 10 kg CO2 and 1000 people can make carbon offset for one Skopje-Vienna Flight. And that is how we introduced the EnRoute application and movement, to harness the small daily activities to make a great change.

The hours I spent and the connections I made on the MUN Impact Summit were priceless. I am so glad that we have finished the session with great smiles, and confidence to be the heroes that Planet Earth deserves to have.

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Fernando Morales y Camila Cabrera: El rol de la guitarra en la construcción de una identidad musical latinoamericana y en el avance por los ODS

Miguel Velasco

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A través de los tiempos, las culturas han enmarcado su identidad con el fin de identificarse históricamente ante las otras poblaciones, lo anterior ha llevado a que generen distintas formas de reconocimiento entre sí, tales como la pintura, el teatro y la música. La música es un gran punto de atención ya que en base a ella han surgido artes como la danza.

Toda evolución histórica tiene componentes que permiten identificar no solo el contexto, sino los factores incidentes en el desarrollo de una cultura, tales como sus creencias, políticas y hasta geografía, una de estos componentes es la música.

¡Y sí! Parece increíble pero la música abarca todos estos contextos, pues cada país de acuerdo a los materiales que produce, desarrolla distintos instrumentos, de la misma forma que se influye por incluso una filosofía de vida según su paisaje. El claro ejemplo es que en zonas del pacífico usen la percusión y usen ritmos movidos, distinto a sitios centrales que acuden más a instrumentos de sonidos profundos que incitan u optan más a la melancolía. Y esto no es solo por país, es en general, pues la música del llano en Ecuador no es muy distinta a la que suena en Colombia, la música está en ambas partes sin haber hecho algún tipo de protocolo para sonar parecido.

Y es allí donde surge la pregunta del instrumento; ¿Qué papel juega el instrumento? Puntualmente el más famoso de la historia: La guitarra. Conocida por tener la capacidad de sonar sola, por saber cubrir muy bien bajos y altos y acompañarse de 6 cuerdas que pareciera que fueran suficientes para el oído  humano, la guitarra es un ícono de la identidad no solo mundial sino Latinoamericana.

La guitarra significa una canción sobre la guerra, cuando hay guerra.

La guitarra significa distracción en épocas de esclavitud y crisis.

La guitarra compuso cantos a dictaduras.

La música es educación, la música es uno de los mejores soportes a los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible que hay, pues qué mejor forma de potenciar el cambio que a través del arte.

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Nathaniel Doty, Kate Smith and Katherine Holekamp: End Period Poverty, Decrease the Stigma 2.0

By Neha Varadharajan

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The taboos associated with menstruation and period poverty were put down with a badge of honor at one of the most exciting sessions at the MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0: a throwback to a workshop held at the last Summit and brought back by popular demand, “End Period Poverty, Decrease The Stigma 2.0”!

The presenters- Katherine Holekamp, Kate Smith and Nathaniel Doty- kicked off the much awaited presentation with a description of what period poverty actually is. “Period poverty is the circumstance of being unable to afford necessary menstrual hygiene products”, they said.

Then they went on to discuss the shocking statistics that associate with period poverty and elegantly brought attention to the issue that requires much addressal. The participants came to know that 60 percent of women in developing countries have no access to adequate menstrual products, and that an average woman spends about 18,000 USD on period products in her lifetime, among other facts. It was truly fascinating to know about, and had just touched upon the gates of a big mansion that was yet to open. 

A shocking statistic set the tone for the workshop- they said and all the participants now quote, “100 percent women deal with the stigma associated with menstruation and period poverty.”

They went on to study a geographic overview of countries and their access to sanitation and period products, including Nepal, USA and Uganda, which provided materialistic evidence for the facts introduced at the beginning of the workshop. The presenters explained with perseverance, quality and pinpoint precision. 

While the information was overly interesting and wonderful to take in, a heart-wrenching quote on their presentation read, “How many of you feel uncomfortable discussing periods, pads and tampons? We must stop stigmatizing periods.”

The workshop couldn’t be more touching. They went on to discuss the SDGs and their association with period poverty, including the obvious ones like SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being and SDG 5: Gender Equality, but also those overly unexpected ones like SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Apparently, we didn’t think of the fact that girls around the world may miss school due to falling sick from inadequate menstrual hygiene, and the same goes for women who may otherwise be able to work regularly as independent women and make a living. 

The fact that the collective future of humanity and eradicating period poverty depended on the future of women and vice versa was synonymous with their presentation and workshop. 

“But there’s still hope..” they said. And oh, how true it was, the participants thought, as they went into possible solutions as a call to action.

UNICEF, Dignity Period and a Period Tracker App were the existing solutions they discussed in vivid detail, along with cost-cutting solutions both real and virtual that could result in more affordable menstrual products- one of them being the elimination of VAT because women pay incredibly high tax rates for period product investments.

They then discussed their own drive: the GEO Tampon Drive.  They used the MUN Impact Planning Tool to shape their initiative and inspire others to do so. They planned to push some SDG Targets and get inspired to start a tampon drive with SMART solutions. They then asked themselves questions to address surrounding the issue of period poverty, all of which were filled with vital information. Then they went on to shape their initiative- the Gender Equity Organization to send menstrual products to deserving women and girls, and raising awareness through social media and collaboration, among others. They laid out synonymous goals, project dates and duration, team members and approvals, which assured the participants that the drive was a dream come true for those who don’t have adequate access to menstrual hygiene. 

“Increase awareness, decrease stigma”, they emphasized upon, and brought to the participants mottos to focus on the goals they planned to turn into realities. They laid out their project wonderfully and showed the world that they could make a big change, with distribution partners facilitated and results showcased- it was truly a proud moment for all the women and girls who aspire to see a world where period poverty is no longer a prevailing taboo.

They told the participants how to take action with a plan designed to rival every other, including showing love and support on social media and online, and communications and networks to introduce awareness and change. A lovely Q and A session succeeded the presentation which showed that the participants loved the presentation and were willing to contribute to change.

“You can do it,” they said proudly. So did we. 

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Pedro Henrique Lima do Nascimento: On refugees – From MUN to UNHCR

By Shambhawi Sahoo

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Pedro Henrique Lima do Nascimento is currently working at Boa Vista, Brazil for The Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) helping Venezuelan refugees to start a new life in Brazil. In this workshop, he took a dive into his journey from an MUN delegate to being a part of the UNHCR.

Mr. Pedro began with sharing his experience of his first MUN conference. In 2009, he participated in Model United Nations for High School Students (SiNUS) held by the University of Brasília. He represented Chad in the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee which was discussing the issue of Children Refugees in Sub-Saharan Africa. This experience made him determined to make a difference in the lives of refugees. Throughout his MUN journey, he had the opportunity to meet heads of state as well as several UN officials.

Talking about his work with UNHCR, he started working in 2019 at Pacaraima at the Brazilian-Venezuelan border. At Pacaraima, he held multiple sessions on the rights of refugees and migrants with about five hundred people attending the sessions everyday. Apart from this, he also worked with registering refugees in the UN data system. He has been working in Boa Vista since March this year. He registers and documents the refugees as well as provides support to domestic resettlement and cash based intervention teams.  

According to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, refugees are granted the right of non-refoulement, which is the right to not enter the country where they are persecuted. Besides this Convention, the 1984 Cartagena Declaration on Refugees is a regional Latin American instrument which highlights the rights of refugees. Mr. Pedro briefly talked about the UNHCR which was established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide critical emergency assistance to displaced populations. He said that 29.6 million refugees are outside of their country of origin in refugee-like situations and two-thirds of them are from one of the five countries- Afghanistan, Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria and Venezuela as of 17 June, 2020. 

He mentioned that the Brazilian government under its “Operation Welcome” receives Venezuelan refugees with support from UNHCR. He then pointed out, in Brazil, 95% of refugees are Venezuelans. Here, 102,504 Venezuelans have requested refugee status of which 54,167 have been granted the status as of 30 August, 2020. An additional 148, 782 have requested for temporary asylum in Brazil. The UNHCR in Brazil is providing assistance to the refugees in the form of shelter, food, cash, organising awareness campaigns related to COVID-19 and rights of refugees, providing durable solutions which include helping them to find jobs and a settled livelihood in Brazil.  

When asked what is the best way for students to be engaged with the UN, he answered that there are several internship programmes available for which students can enroll. Also, taking part in Model UN conferences is an excellent way to get a taste of diplomacy. He highlighted his own experience of his first MUN conference where the MUN had partnered with UNHCR which sparked his interest to work for the betterment of refugees. When questioned about the most challenging thing he came across, he answered that listening to the stories of refugees, most of whom have been severely tortured and abused, proved to be a major challenge for him. 

He added that one who is preparing to work for the cause of refugees should be strong hearted and prepared to listen to their stories.

The workshop was highly informative and provided a sneak-peek into the refugee life as well as the impact UNHCR has on the lives of countless displaced people. It left the participants feeling inspired to work for a cause. 

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Samantha Arias: Ser Patriota y evadir la Xenofobia en el marco de los ODS. La perspectiva de una estudiante extranjera

Valentina Raymond

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Como ciudadanos globales, es importante reconocer el patriotismo y a la vez no caer en los extremos del mismo. Samantha Arias, ecuatoriana y estudiante extranjera en Moscú, nos cuenta su perspectiva sobre el ser patriota y evadir la xenofobia en el marco de los Objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible. 

Dentro de las principales enseñanzas que ha tenido fuera de su país, se encuentra el entusiasmo por lo desconocido, el sentirse ajeno a otra cultura y a la vez aprender de esta y el conocer otro idioma adentrándose a otra mentalidad, por lo que de esta manera, Samanta ha aprendido a ser objetiva. 

Después de introducirnos al tema, la expositora explica a profundidad lo que es el patriotismo, entendiendo por este término, el deseo de pertenecer a un grupo y de una manera más específica, es la pasión y el amor de un patriota apasionado por su propio país. En esta línea, analizamos las diferentes aristas del mismo; recalcando primero el sistema educativo y cultural, donde el patriotismo es un mecanismo de defensa para que las culturas perduren en el tiempo, la analogía de héroes, donde el sacrificio patriótico puede conllevar a sacrificarse por el país en batallas o guerras, el fenómeno: político, històrico, cultural y psicológico, existiendo en este una respuesta cognitivo-motivacional, y por último el patriotismo como una acción o verbo, naciendo así el patriotismo pasivo o activo. 

Se enfatizó las diferencias entre nacionalismo y etnocentrismo, conceptos esenciales a conocer, siendo el primero la autodeterminación del grupo como nación y el segundo aceptar el propio grupo y rechazar a otros. Esto nos guió a entender el racismo, el cual es un término más global, a diferencia de la xenofobia que es de manera específica el odio hacia el extranjero, Samantha resalta que las personas caen en esta, al defender la bandera de la patria y no de la humanidad, poniendo el ejemplo de América Latina, explicó cómo los desplazamientos han generado situaciones de racismo y exclusión social, es por ello que como jóvenes debemos ser embajadores y menciona que estos espacios son un ejemplo de cómo evadir la xenofobia.

“Globaliza tu mente” nos dice Samantha, al globalizarnos somos ciudadanos conocedores de nuestra cultura e informados, pero a su vez debemos leer sobre otras culturas y liderar el camino de la inclusión, permitiendo así que lo ajeno nos enseñe algo diferente. El apoyar la humanidad y no la nacionalidad, ya que las fronteras no deben ser un obstáculo para el entendimiento. 

Entre una de las dudas de los participantes, se encontraba el cómo ser un buen compatriota, a lo cual la expositora respondió que es aquella persona que antes de preocuparse de la superioridad de su nación, es responsable con ella, siendo activa en política, en cambio climático y ayudando a generar conciencia.

Enfocándose en los ODS 4, 10 y 16, Samantha nos ha dejado diferentes enseñanzas; el abrir la mente y ser personas informadas, nos compartió su lema “ Empecemos a humanizarnos”, siendo este un taller de jóvenes para jóvenes, donde es importante saber que el mundo se vendrá abajo si no nos atrevemos a conectar y recordar que tal vez no podamos hacerlo todo, pero sí lograr un cambio.

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Day 2 Plenary – Hannah Herbst

By William Weston

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Saturday’s plenary was an excellent introduction to the inaugural SDG Sandbox event which followed. 130+ participants were joined by student and social innovator Hannah Herbst and the themes demonstrated in her presentation coincided appropriately with the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, after the UN charter came into effect on the 24th October 1945. Hannah’s presentation highlighted the importance of problem solving and collaboration, two skills she has become exceptional at through the development of her project, BEACON (Bringing Energy Access to Countries through Ocean energy), and told her story from being a 7th Grader who was unenthusiastic about science to making it onto the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Hannah’s science journey began when, much to her disapproval at the time, her father told her she was going to take part in an engineering camp. When she arrived, she realized that she was the only female participant and wanted to go straight home. However, after a while, she began to enjoy the activity set of coding small robots to perform actions like moving in different directions. This led to her joining science and research clubs at her middle school and whilst she wasn’t necessarily the best at this new field, she told all the plenary participants that “you shouldn’t be afraid to be bad at something new”, a quote that stuck throughout for the entire presentation.

Growing up in Florida, a state surrounded by water on three sides, it is not a surprise that Hannah looked to the ocean in order to find a solution to a problem that had become apparent to her. Whilst in conversation with her pen pal, Ruth, Hannah found out that she did not have access to electricity. This led her to develop her first prototype of BEACON out of cardboard, which she highlighted did not do very well in the water. She then created a contraption out of recycled plastic bottles and spoons that harvested the ocean’s energy and converted it into electricity. This innovative idea is what won Hannah the title of America’s Top Young Scientist in 2015.

Unfortunately, following the success of the BEACON project, Hannah’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Understandably, this led to her losing motivation in her science projects, however, one quote inspired Hannah to search for a solution, “the worst thing you can do is see a problem you can solve, and do nothing about it.” Hannah looked to the antibacterial properties in shark skin to create a bandage using the same properties. This has been incredibly successful, and Hannah is now planning to launch a business based on this technology, with the plan to deliver the technology for free to less developed countries.

Following Hannah’s recount of her inspiring journey, she gave some tips for participants looking to make change in their communities. Firstly, we should never stop asking questions, as it is through questions that we can find answers that guide us in the right direction to make our ideas a reality. Secondly, we should embrace failure because through failure we learn how to improve. Finally, she told participants to learn from others. She found it particularly helpful to have been able to be surrounded by mentors who believed in her projects and wanted to help her make them successful. She referenced the “beauty of collaboration” and the “art of failure”, two aspects which are critical to bringing our projects to life. She also highlighted that we shouldn’t allow barriers to get in the way of our ideas. Whilst we may not have access to the same mentoring, anyone can use materials they already have access to, like she did with her first BEACON prototypes. She also added that YouTube videos have helped her with learning how to manage her time along with guidance from her mentors.

Hannah’s presentation was not only an extremely enlightening insight into her story, but an inspiration for everyone present, leaving an air of motivation lingering even after the session concluded. If there is one message that anyone could take away from Saturday’s plenary, it’s to never be scared of making failures, as they’re what set you on the path for change and impact!

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Gilberto Duarte: The Rule of Law: Priorities and Opportunities in the Decade of Action

By Meenakshi Mariappan

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Although it was a “cloudy and miserable” day down in Vienna as attested by our speaker, Mr Gilberto Duarte, the session inarguably enlightened all those present about the rule of law. Joining us from Austria, was Mr Gilberto Duarte who works at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The session was also attended by a diverse group of participants representing around 15 countries and regions, spanning from South India to Central America and everywhere in between. And as Mr Duarte rightfully noted, this diversity is “what MUN Impact and the Global Summit is all about!”

Getting into the specifics of the session, the first question touched upon was evidently this: “What is the rule of law?” To help participants answer this question, Mr Duarte introduced some more questions as food for thought. “Which of these causes more deaths worldwide? Armed conflict or homicide? Whilst the chat was immediately flooded by responses from participants, Mr Duarte played to our sense of eagerness and curiosity by not immediately disclosing the answers. When participants were then asked what came to their minds when talking about ‘the rule of law,’ few answers which seemed to resonate across the enthusiastic group of attendees were “justice, equality, humanity and that no one is above the law.” 

In revealing what the UN actually pronounces as the rule of law, Mr Duarte finally shared with the group the definition as can be found on un.org/ruleoflaw. “For the United Nations (UN) system, the rule of law is a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards.” At this point, he stopped to provide some alarming statistics; homicide caused the most deaths worldwide at a staggering 400,000 whilst armed conflict caused only 80,000 deaths. In putting forth these questions, Mr Duarte was able to successfully draw connections between these issues and the rule of law. In relation to the UNODC, the speaker went on to say that their work revolves around some “core rule of law issues,” including corruption and integrity, crime prevention and criminal justice, and organised crime. 

“But with ten years left for the 2030 agenda, what does this mean for the rule of law and SDG 16 during the decade of action?” Surprisingly, Mr Duarte informs participants that “for the very first time, SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions — has been identified as part of the 2030 agenda; it means the rule of law is key to achieving the SDGs.” Upon further discussion from both Mr Duarte and the participants’ side, it was also observed that various other SDGs have targets directly linked to the rule of law. These include, but are not limited to, SDGs 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 10 (reduced inequalities), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 15 (life on land), and of course, 16. However, it was later said that the Pathfinders, as they call themselves, “created an approach to look at the rule of law and all of the SDGs,” more information on which can be found at www.sdg16.plus. To end the session on a relevant note, there was an unavoidable discussion on the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected the rule of law and efforts to achieve SDG 16 in particular. 

As all participants were hence able to see, the rule of law is “not a simple thing,” the speaker pointed out, “there are multiple dimensions to it.” In addition to reiterating the significance of the rule of law, there was one takeaway that shone through all aspects of discussion and interaction in the session: “The SDGs are all interconnected. All goals matter.”

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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María Fernández and Jaime Nunnikhoven: How to successfully run a MUN Impact Club

By Vedant Kulkarni

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If you wish to make your own MUN Club as a self-sustaining structure, maintaining longevity, then this amazing workshop by Jamie Nunnikhoven  (Secretary-General for MUNI Global) and María Fernández elucidated crystal clear ways and insights on how to do so successfully.

 Firstly describing the primary reason for creating a MUN Impact (MUNI) club, they highlighted the need to make a change and difference to society and finding out YOUR reason to do so. They explicitly asserted that it is via MUNI clubs where you can promote your niche of SDGs among youth.

 Coming directly to the point, the requirements for establishing or starting a MUN Impact club were expounded as:

 1) Hosting a MUNI workshop to educate others on MUNI resources 

2) Running SDG action campaigns 

3) Sharing your action story on the MUNI blog.

THE most important key to success is an effective TEAM to work with, and to keep them engaged, you need to involve thinking and doing, both aspects simultaneously, with a focus on small and wide projects with continuity and effective communication.

The second component for running it steadily is persistence, where you need to run several activities weekly or monthly to keep your team and audience engaged with you.

The presenters constructively expounded upon various activities and experiences that they conducted in their schools and clubs like various awareness-raising competitions and SDG campaigns, donations to charities, beach, and river clean-ups and inspired the audience with their upcoming projects of Clean up School campaigns- all for dual purpose – the betterment of society and advancement of MUN clubs.

All the examples were suitably described with guidance with respect to individual situations.

Presenters also brought forth solutions for the progression of the club in this pandemic situation, such as:

1) Promoting MUN@Home or its linguistic versions (Spanish, Arabic and French),

2) Online forums and events 

3) Debates presentations for awareness, donation campaigns, individual activities, and so on…

I, as a press team member, was lucky enough to ask questions to the presenters regarding the content, and they answered my questions brilliantly:

Q. How do we start our activities for a MUN Impact club without high budgets :

A:  Start with small goals, it does not require much money, but the key components are more people and more time. You can try out fundraising, or you can expect some funds from your school.

Q. What are the key factors for running the MUNI club online?

A: The key factors are: communication, regular meetings with people throughout the year, and continuity.

Q. How can we convince the School administrator to start the MUNI club at school?

A:  Help the school sell their products: have them advertise themselves and explain how this club will advertise and publicize and benefit the school. With this, your school would be ready to invest in your club.

The presenters implored all the participants who had their own clubs to partner with MUN impact for exponential growth and unprecedented benefits in developing their goals.

So why wait? Partner with MUNI with this link: https://munimpact.org/get-involved/partner-clubs/

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Anagha Chakravarti and Priyasha Chakravarti: SDG Action- Changemaker’s Edition

By Shambhawi Sahoo

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Anagha and Priyasha Chakravarti are twin sisters who are seniors at International School, Manila, The Phillippines. They are deeply passionate about international affairs and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  They presented to a group of about thirty participants as to how they can contribute to the SDGs and provided a brief description of how they can participate in the upcoming Yale MUN.

The workshop kick-started with a brief introduction to the SDGs and the role they play in our society. Anagha then asked the participants to define sustainability in their own words. The answers ranged from inclusive policies, a continuous fight against injustice to protecting our future and taking the needs of future generations into consideration. She went on to aptly define sustainability as ‘meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ Next followed a jamboard session where the participants had to briefly introduce themselves and write which SDG needs to be in the lens of policymakers in their country. Priyasha explained how countries contribute to the fulfillment of the SDGs. They try to create awareness among their citizens through articles, videos and local and community based projects. They take action by passing UN resolutions and enacting legislation in different sections of the society. The countries could be  held accountable for their work through data monitoring. Further, by addressing the ideas of youth and implementing them they can create a better environment.

The session went on to make the audience familiar with the various types of activism and the impact they create. Slack activism is characterised by posting petitions and reposting images related to a concerned issue. Anagha pointed out that this type of activism fails to bring about a change in the situation, such as the Black-Out Tuesday where netizens posted a black image in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Performance activism is brought about through virtual fundraisers and sending mails to policy makers and officials. Real activism is when people march out on streets and protest against injustice and force the concerned authorities to look upon the situation. 

The second part of the workshop revolved around the Yale MUN Conference for which the sisters serve as ambassadors. First up, they asked the participants to display their understanding of a Model UN conference in one word. The answers ranged from diplomacy, leadership and learning, to collaboration, debate and discussion, amongst many others. Anagha went on to introduce the Yale MUN (YMUN) Conference which would be held virtually from 21st to 24th of January 2021. This conference will allow participants to learn about the workings of global politics and engage them in international topics, adopt new perspectives and develop solutions to global problems. Prior to the conference there will be a Social Impact Challenge conducted by YMUN based on the theme “Empower others.” It will be a competition that will involve creating and proposing your own SDG project. The winners will receive funds and mentorship to bring their project to life. The first round will include submitting a written idea statement outlining a problem and the proposed solution. The second round will ask the participants to submit an essay and project description with a detailed recount of the social challenge and the solutions. Finally, the third round will involve the teams submitting a short video where they will present their refined ideas to a panel of judges.

In the next part of the workshop Priyasha talked about the various initiatives they have taken part in. They got involved with an organisation called Ramakrishna Mission which organised a free dental check up as well physiotherapy sessions for residents of a particular area in Manila. They also got involved with Puno, an organisation aimed at protecting the environment and took part in launching an ebook called Perla’s Pasig River Adventures. They distributed tablets with this ebook in a local school to raise awareness about pollution of the Pasig River in the Phillippines. 

The workshop rounded the basic elements of leadership as well as international affairs. It encouraged the participants to get out of their comfort zone and bring about a change in their community.

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Afrah Shuja: Taking Action – Entrepreneurship & Raising Awareness

By Shambhawi Sahoo

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Afrah Shuja, a student of Al Khaleej National School presented to a group of about thirty participants in this highly interactive workshop. The workshop was divided into four segments.

In the first segment, she talked about how she turned her passion for psychology into an entrepreneurial project called LiveX. This project aims at providing accessible mental healthcare to people through artificial intelligence systems. She described the Livex phase plan which involved- organising outreach programs like mental health awareness events and creating digital resources on their website; getting funds by applying for awards to gain recognition and pitching in investors to invest in their project; enhancing marketing services through visual promotion events and collaborations; and developing tech systems by a hiring a dedicated team. She added that cold-emailing proved an effective method to amass support for the LiveX project. Reaching out to family members, friends, teachers was another way of gaining support. With collective efforts and consistency, LiveX is soon going to be launched as an app.

The second segment encouraged the participants to identify their skills and interests. Associating those skills and interests to a specific cause such as mental health, animal cruelty or poverty would help them find their passion. She briefly described the Sustainable Development Goals and the role they played in building a strong world. She added that discovering your passion and linking it to the Sustainable Development Goals is an excellent way of contributing to the society.

The third segment revolved around the concept of entrepreneurship. Afrah said that in order to dive into an entrepreneurial project one needs to be equipped with some skills. She mentioned two sets of skills- niche skills and broadly applicable skills. Niche skills include skills like website designing and mechanical engineering. The skills which are broadly applicable to entrepreneurship include public speaking, research negotiation, leadership, marketing, finance, time management and adaptability. She emphasised on Model UN conferences as a great way to learn soft skills. Planning is essential when you want to start a project. She advised the participants to create a plan which is “SMART”. The plan should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time based which means that it should include specific ideas related to the goal, include major milestones, the time limit within which it has to be completed as well as sub-plans specifying the steps that would be taken to achieve that goal. Befriending like-minded people and building a team of people who are passionate about the project is highly beneficial. She recommended asking for feedback from peers so as to improvise upon the project. “Don’t stop even if you hit roadblocks” she said while inspiring the participants to keep going on with their projects.

The fourth segment involved raising awareness about burning issues. At school and at the community level this could involve starting clubs, organising fundraising events, writing articles for the school newspaper and designing posters and brochures. Media is a huge force which can be used to communicate ideas to people as well as connect with them for support and guidance.

The workshop captured the minds of the participants and equipped them with basic knowledge of entrepreneurial skills as well as committing their passions to a cause for the betterment of the world. 

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Amaya Ranatunge & Lois Lemmon: Be the Voice, not an Echo

By William Weston

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Only one hour into the MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0, Amaya and Lois’ workshop began, addressing the subject of making your MUN club’s voice heard and aligning your goals with the SDGs. To get the audience thinking about the SDGs, Lois, a 14-year-old student from Gibraltar, began to explain why SDG 1 (No Poverty) should be a focus for MUN clubs. Whilst stating that the number of people living in poverty has decreased over the past years, she made clear that a lot of work still needs to be done to address this global issue. Amaya, a 16-year-old student from Sri Lanka, also explained how SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 13 (Climate Action) need more attention. She explained how the similar nature of SDGs 5 and 10 means that the two can be addressed through similar methods. The duo went on to explain how NGOs have worked to address these issues, using Oxfam and UN Women as examples.

Following an enlightening presentation on the SDGs, participants had the opportunity to answer the question, ‘How can we organize events with other schools and clubs?’ Several interesting solutions were raised by participants. For example, one participant, Malik, suggested that ‘schools should organize sports days’ in order to promote healthy living and in turn SDG 3. Furthermore, another participant, Vishwa, suggested how schools could organize free teaching for people in the local area, to ensure that everyone has access to quality education (SDG 4).

The session then went onto an explanation of some key leadership skills that one may need in order to organize MUN conferences and workshops. Amaya explained that a good leader should inspire others and be a great listener. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of public speaking skills, something that any MUN delegate can appreciate. Afterwards, Lois continued to explain the benefits of partnerships and how twinning projects, such as through conferences or fundraising events, can massively help to get your message out there.

Finally, the workshop could not conclude without addressing the very present issue of COVID-19 and its impact on MUN clubs and conferences around the world. Amaya addressed the fact that social distancing requirements, along with lockdowns and curfews, have limited our abilities to organize and participate at the events that we would have previously taken for granted. However, that does not mean we cannot adapt to online platforms, such as Zoom, to still inspire others and take action. Being able to access MUN conferences and SDG related events, such as the MUN Impact Global Summit, from the comfort of our homes is a huge advantage. Amaya herself admitted that she has attended several more conferences since the pandemic began than she otherwise would have. However, an issue that often gets forgotten is the lack of access to the internet and technology that several people have. Amaya shared her concerns that people may get left behind by this shift that we are currently experiencing. Nonetheless, the youth’s ability to make change is as present as it has always been and that was definitely highlighted by Amaya and Lois’ enlightening presentation.

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Kicking off the Global Summit 2.0 – Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony began with the premiere performance of the MUN Impact Choir

By William Weston

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Since the end of the inaugural MUN Impact Global Summit in July, the whole MUN Impact team have been working hard to ensure an amazing second edition, and Friday’s Opening Ceremony demonstrated just that. After a short opening video and technical message, the ceremony kicked off with the premiere performance of the MUN Impact Choir. A project that began before the previous summit and thanks to the amazing work of Ms. Taylor Pietz from John Burroughs School in St. Louis, United States, was premiered in front of the 180+ participants who attended the opening ceremony. It carried a message of hope and inspiration, captured by the song title itself, High Hopes, by Panic! At the Disco.

After an opening message from the Summit Co-Secretary General, Hugh McDowell, participants welcomed Annemarie Hou, Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships and Senior Communications Adviser in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General at the United Nations. Ms. Hou encouraged participants to “face our fears” as she demonstrated herself by presenting without any script. She expressed the importance of partnerships in order to make change and achieve the SDGs.

When asked by Natabara Rolloson, a member of MUN Impact’s Board of Director’s, “How do you see the UN’s collaboration with the youth changing?” Ms. Hou responded by saying she is increasingly seeing young people taking leadership roles, for example as we can see through the ongoing climate action movement. She then went on to explain the importance of female leadership, as has been seen during the Coronavirus pandemic, as female leaders have done particularly well with dealing with the virus. Furthermore, when asked about how students should work towards achieving the SDGs, she explained that any student looking to make a change should start with a plan. From that plan, we should find decision makers (leaders, entrepreneurs, activists) and get their attention. She emphasized that if we have the skills, or know someone with the skills, that decision maker could be ourselves.

Following Ms. Hou’s enlightening presentation, the opening ceremony came to its second musical performance, this time thanks to Ambi and Bindu Subramaniam from Bangalore, India. The duo are strong supporters of the SDGs and their enthusiasm carried through to the audience during the exceptional performance of their original, upbeat song, ‘Superheroes without capes’. They told participants that the meaning of the song is that everyone has the power to make a difference, a theme very present throughout the ceremony.

Following on from Ambi and Bindu’s musical interlude, participants were joined by Swiss climate activist, Marie-Claire Grath. A former MUN delegate herself, Marie-Claire explained how she was impacted by the sights of glaciers melting along with the changing marine ecosystem. She explained that SDG 13 (Climate Action) is essential to achieving all the other SDGs. Therefore, Marie-Claire has attended several Friday’s for Future climate strikes, along with setting up the Sustainability Week project, aiming to get university students involved in climate related projects. She made clear that the youth can use social media to get our messages out and hopefully make contact with high level leaders and decision makers. However, Grath did ensure that everyone was aware that the uphill battle which is climate activism can be tiring and like being “dropped in the super cold water”. After her enlightening and informative presentation, a quick question and answer session followed. Issa S from Kuwait asked, “Could you please state your thoughts on the complacency of world leaders?” In response, Marie-Claire explained that the youth have the power to implement solutions in order to get the attention of others and make differences in our communities. Whilst climate activism does, of course, involve politics, sometimes the small differences we can make can have a huge impact.

To round off the opening ceremony, Francisco Abad, Executive Director of Codeis, a social enterprise empowering people in Latin America through social innovation and leadership training, gave a small crash-course on pitching skills and how to make speeches more persuasive. He emphasized that the use of logos (logic) along with pathos (emotional appeal), along with having a strong ending, can make speeches significantly more persuasive.

The MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0 formally began as Co-SG Hugh McDowell announced the formal opening. The tone set throughout the opening ceremony definitely left participants inspired and excited for the following days’ activities and events. The Press Team wishes everyone an excellent summit and hopes everyone is prepared to be inspired by our wonderful speakers!

The full recorded session of this workshop can be accessed here.

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Behind the Screen: Interviewing Hugh McDowell

By Chandrasnata Mohanty

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How does it feel ? When something you’ve waited upon, finally comes back? When all your hopes seem to climb as high as the Burj Khalifa, and your adrenaline rushes through you like the Peregrine Falcon. When the threads you once picked up to bind together, weave into a fine cloth. 

Meet the person, with such anticipation and enthusiasm, Hugh McDowell, because we at MUN Impact are back with our most awaited event, The Global Summit 2.0.

Yes, you’ve read it right. After all the love, high spirits and enthusiastic energy of our passionate participants that we perceived months ago, it was just too hard to resist, we at MUN Impact are back with yet another round of our July event, Global Summit 2.0. This Summit is a 3-day free event allowing you to participate in workshops, interact with like minds and pitch in your ideas, solving real-life problems, without any kind of prejudice leading the way.

Hugh McDowell, the Co-Secretary General for the MUN IMPACT GLOBAL SUMMIT 2.0, also serves as a Diplomat for the Europe region and a Mentor at MUN@Home. It was an absolute delight interviewing the gentleman, as well as hearing his answers and the ecstasy they contained.

The Summit comes with the purpose ‘Action for the Impact’ which also stands as the motto for this summit compared to ‘ Hope for the future ‘ for the previous. When asked about the target audience for the Summit, Hugh explains how today’s youth, the young minds are the ones who are going to play a key role in the future and ultimate decision makers as we move towards 2030 with such speed. “Anyone with access to the internet, and perhaps a laptop or any device, can take part in the workshops and events irrespective of their age.” 

The Summit brings in all the tools with it, to harness the power and ideas of these young minds. Hugh also gives us a sneak-peek on the very tools, The SDG Sandbox Strands and the Dolphin Pool, which will be something to get the audience on hook.

The SDG Sandbox is all about project planning and developing. It helps you gain confidence, interact with participants across the globe and most importantly help you find different perspectives on one issue. These will be 2-hour-sessions where our keynote speakers, global shapers and student leaders will guide you through the process of developing an idea into a project, something you can always preserve with you.

The Dolphin Pool on the other hand is the version of ‘ Shark Tank ‘ we came up with. Any guesses why? Well, it’s quite simple. As the name suggests, Dolphins are known for their friendly and collaborative nature. So here we are with our humble version ‘ Dolphin Pool ‘. This event focuses on collaboration, communication and most importantly teamwork. So as you’ve understood the purpose and meaning behind this event, what are you waiting for? I suggest you go sign up for it now! 

We asked Hugh about what his favourite parts of the Summit are going to be and he came up with the obvious answer and without a second thought, “The Social Hours”. Well Social Hours are something that we all look forward to. This is the time when you can have an informal conversation with people around the world and enjoy playing games and some cool ice-breakers thrown in your way. During the last Summit, the social hours were a huge success. People from all around the world, with so many differences yet so many similarities, found like-minded acquaintances who left as friends, promising to meet next Summit. There’s also a talent show on the 3rd day during the social hour and being the man behind the “idea of the talent show”, Hugh tells us how the social hour participants came up to showcase their talents like singing, poetry etc, and that’s when he was wondering about the talented audience, he came up with idea of a talent show. However, he humbly credits his colleagues, Arsema Aklog, Leila Diab and all the community building team for the event’s success.

 He also talks about the keynote speakers and presenters who have worked hard to bring blissful results out of the Summit. There are adults as well as students, the experienced in the field as well as the ones with hunger to learn.

When asked, “Where do you see MUN Impact in the next 5 years?”, Hugh replies with the utmost simplicity,

“In the next 5 years, that would be 2025; which would be 5 years from 2030 and 5 years to achieve the goals; I see MUN Impact progressing and it’s word and cause spreading and though it’s hard to tell, I mean, from the “work in progress” mode we are going to be in “ready to make an Impact” mode.” 

“Many will start fast, few will Finish Strong.”

And after this little interview, I certainly agree that whoever said this, has totally got it right!

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Insight into the Plenaries Team: In conversation with Ananya Balakrishnan and Nikhil Binu

By Meenakshi Mariappan

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With the inauguration of the Global Summit 2.0 inching closer, the Plenaries team provide an insight into what are possibly the most highlighted shows of unity incorporated into the Summit: the plenary sessions. In an interview, Co-DSGs of the Plenaries team Ananya Balakrishnan and Nikhil Binu, reveal their thoughts about the significance of the plenaries and the long-awaited three days.

With the ongoing pandemic and times of uncertainty, Balakrishnan emphasises that “it’s at times like this mobilisation is most important.” And as she rightfully says, “summits like this teach us how to do that and how to make a positive change.” Subsequently, she hopes the Global Summit 2.0 will thus serve as a platform to “begin the process of making a change in your community.” But the positive changes the world is yet to see can only spring from the small things, or as Binu puts it, the “topics we tend not to shed light on.” However, as he notes, it is important to understand that beyond the nobleness of diplomacy and altruism associated with the Summit, is also “the chance to see more than just four walls, to interact, to inform and to have fun.”

By nature, the plenaries, which Balakrishnan highlights, are “a must-attend, as they kind of pull everyone together for incredible talks.” The opening and closing plenaries are the only sessions wherein all participants have the opportunity to come together to hear the inspiring words of world-renowned speakers. In Binu’s words, the plenaries are in no way “like any ordinary session,” and that can definitely be agreed upon. He adds that the plenary will also be host to “extravagant performances, by our debutant MUN Impact Choir and musicians respected around the globe.” Well, this just builds on the list of reasons why participants should attend the plenary.

What most participants do not see though, lies behind the screen, in the efforts of student leaders such as Balakrishnan and Binu. When asked about the process of organising the plenaries, Balakrishnan exclaims that she “lost track of the sheer number of Zoom calls that have gone into pulling this Summit off.” Here, there is a lesson to be learnt for aspiring leaders around the world, as she admits that the key component to good leadership and teamwork is “flexible communication.” Binu summarises their efforts in saying that “the team members of the plenary are hard-working, and the Summit would not be as colourful as it is without them.” At MUN Impact, leadership is defined by the efforts of all the members, with uplifting relationships forming the foundation of the organisation itself. 

Binu reiterates the perks of attending the Summit as it “paves the way for the sharing of knowledge for free,” whilst Balakrishnan reinforces this by interjecting “how it’ll help you expand your networks and help you meet people who are doing such amazing things all over the world.” Speaking about the MUN Impact family, she hopes that “we keep growing as a community and sharing ideas and thoughts.” And for those “itching to make a difference,” Binu believes that “there is no age for making a change.” This could not have been said better, as it is one of the core philosophies of MUN Impact, which can be observed in its everyday proceedings. More importantly, this lies at the heart of the Global Summit 2.0 and the overarching desire to make a change. 

To end with a brief message from the plenary team, “attend the plenaries to hear from some amazing speakers, attend the workshops to learn how people are making a difference, and attend the social hours to meet new people and to unwind.” Join us on October 23-25 for an invaluable time! Find out more at: https://munimpact.org/globalsummit2-0/

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Amping up the Summit Spirit with the Press Team

Image: Markus Winkler – Pexels.com

By Shambhawi Sahoo

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All those MUN Impact posts which showed up on your feed, the blog stories that got you excited for the summit ; ever wondered who’s behind all this- Yes! The Press Team!

The reporters are an integral part of our team. They write articles to fuel enthusiasm among the readers. They are backed by the Head of Press who along with the Editor-in-Chief makes necessary changes to their articles and  makes sure that they are posted on the MUN Impact blog. To capture the beautiful memories of the summit, the reporters will be present in several workshops.

The graphic designers are vital to spread the word of the summit all over social media platforms. They design posts to reach out to global changemakers and MUN enthusiasts and keep them posted about the summit. They are assisted by the Head of Social Media who makes necessary changes to the designs and posts them on the MUN Impact social media handles.

The Press Team along with the MUN Impact family is working tirelessly to make this summit more special than the previous one. We are highly enthusiastic about the summit and we hope to see you there!

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Student Presenters – A chat with Omayma Cherkaoui

By Vedant Kulkarni

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Omayma Cherkaoui is an eighteen year old university student with profound interests in economics, history, philosophy, and writing. In her workshop, ‘The Road Less Traveled By: Student Leadership for a Better World’, she will share her experiences of leadership across varied aspects from volunteering & MUN to business and enterprise, elucidating further on leadership philosophies, tips from influential leaders, and her own unique leadership story. She won ahead of everyone else in a Business Plan Competition where she made an implementable strategy for a social endeavor business thought that spent significant time in social equity, network building, and human rights advocacy. She will also share insights from her experience as Team Captain, Head Girl for her High school; concurrently achieving good grades and applying to universities effectively.

She passionately believes that the key to achieve SDG 11 is Making Cities and Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable, and youth enhancing their leadership skills and creating positive change in their communities therefore, she strives to seek wisdom from her unique experiences to help all the participants create positive change via this workshop.
The Inspiration strand’s subsequent segment is to address MUN conferences and how they can demonstrate expected stages to advance the SDGs thus, If you are a Model United Nations delegate, MUN Chair, or MUN student conference organizer, you will also receive meaningful MUN-related insights from her workshop as MUN filled in as the initial phase in her leadership venture.

She participates as a presenter at the Summit 2.0 to have the unique opportunity to present about her leadership journey and leadership philosophies in hopes that participants reflect on their own journey and enhance their own leadership skills to work towards achieving SDG 11. To prepare for this workshop, she has created a thought-provoking presentation regarding the importance of SDG 11 and included an interactive activity as well as her own experiences and ways in how participants can have a more fulfilling leadership journey.

With such success stories, this session can provide students with innovative ideas and, more significantly, the drive to act on local and global issues. Through thinking global and acting local, participants will be able to serve their communities better. You will know more about how you can successfully start and lead a student club to host activities and events that raise awareness and spark change and be part of a growing network of change makers.

Come be enlivened by the projects, initiatives and creative ways advancing, and propelling the SDGs. Pre-registrations for the summit are OPEN – so why miss this brilliant opportunity? Join now for a wide range of such workshops held by students and skilled experts too!

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UN75 Disscusion: Inequality in the time of covid-19

An article by our partners in Chennai, AISC

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On September 21st, 2020, the UN celebrated its Annual international Day of Peace. Every year, AISC also celebrates this meaningful day, marking it with a barrage of speeches, a parade, and a fair showcasing countries’ cultures. This year, to mark the UN’s 75th Anniversary, we, the MUN Impact chapter, decided to undertake a community conversation in order to better engage the AISC community in global affairs and see their input on solutions to inequality in the time of COVID. The concept for the discussion, created and encouraged by the UN, is best explained by Secretary-General Guterres:

“In January, the start of the UN’s 75th anniversary, Secretary-General António Guterres launched the world’s biggest conversation on building a better future for all. The vision was to spark conversations (“UN75 dialogues”) in all settings on priorities for the future, obstacles to achieving them, and the role of international cooperation in making progress. Over 330 dialogues in 87 countries were held in the first three months of year – physically and virtually. It is vital that peoples’ voices are heard at this crucial time for the world.”

The discussion allowed us, at AISC, to highlight the important issue of Inequality in the Time of COVID-19. The topic itself — purposely ambiguous can point to varying forms of inequalities and different SDGs. Take Economic Inequality, it is most deeply rooted SDGs 1, 2, and 3. COVID-19 has disadvantaged the poor, as they are no longer able to bring in income, and many around the world have been left starving or homeless. In the short term, we have seen several good samaritans and NGOs step up and provide food and relief for these individuals. Moreover, gender inequality was a large part of our discussion — 5, as many pointed out the regression in gender equality around the world, citing rising rates of unemployment and domestic violence directly due to COVID-19. Ultimately, our discussion revolved around all of the SDGs, particularly highlighting SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. We are proud to carry out the wishes of the UN and Secretary-General, while engaging our AISC community to the global community.

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How are You, Really?

By Grace Makwaza

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SDG 3.4 states:

By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

It calls us to address preventable diseases and pay attention to our mental health in all areas of our lives, including our schools. 

Students all over the world suffer in silence because of the academic and social pressures in the classroom. 2020 did not make it any easier on any of us;  some are depressed and others have lost the enthusiasm of going to school all together. These and many reasons inspired Gelila Mengistu, an MUN Impact diplomat from Africa to ask the question, “How Are You, Really?” 

On Friday 16th October 2020, Gelila Mengistu alongside students from Machabeng College International School of Lesotho held an SDG 3.4 seminar tagged How Are You, Really. Here, they educated students from the aforementioned mental health concerns and about the need to implement SDG 3.4. They discussed sensitive issues such as anxiety, depression, pressure at school, expectations society has on students and others. Ultimately, the goal was to encourage students to take care of themselves mentally and persevere despite the challenges they may encounter. Students were given tips on how to cope with the stress that 2020 has placed on everyone.

As the seminar progressed, Ms. Mengistu shed light about controversial issues that people hardly talk about. For instance, the pressure that is on students at all angles, both socially and academically. She spoke of how all these can cause detrimental damage to one’s mental health. In addition, she gave insight on how coping can be easy if we join hands to implement SDG 3.4. Doing something as simple as asking your friend every morning the question, “How Are You, Really” could lower the chance of someone committing suicide or falling into a deep abyss of mental breakdowns. She and her peers further expressed how it is important to support each other at school, be honest with parents and teachers about the struggles students face and be willing to get the help they need to cope with the stress. That way, their transparency promotes SDG 3.4 while saving students’ lives as well.

Some people feel overwhelmed; some feel like their feelings are invalid while others feel like nobody will understand that they are struggling internally. If you struggle with these, Ms Mengistu’s message to you is simple: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. In her words, “Being afraid to admit that you are struggling inside makes you susceptible to more pain. Acknowledging it will only help you deal with it better.” 

In conclusion, this seminar did not only inspire students to actively implement SDG 3.4 but it gave hope to so many. Many thanks to all the students who spoke and helped make the event a success. Thank you for inspiring the entire MUN Impact Global community to prioritize their mental health through the implementation of SDG 3.4.

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Behind the Screen: Interviewing Ilyes Zeraiki

By Rishita Ghosh and Nandini Badhan

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You can’t stop staring as you look into the mirror. The seriousness of life is staring right back at you. Why can you not find like-minded peers? The fire to bring about change and contribute to the community is so strong that it is now burning you alive. The restlessness is all too similar. Are you doing enough? Is action being initiated? Few realize that not taking action is the equivalent of failing, that also, without honor.

For many, MUN is a platform that has given them a sense of pride and fulfillment required to make their existences an impactful one. As the Covid-19 pandemic ticks, the restlessness and the strive to change amplifies. To feed this hunger, welcoming you with open arms, we present the “MUN IMPACT GLOBAL SUMMIT 2.0”. This second edition of the Summit is an exclusive opportunity to receive those who wish to contribute and impact the world, irrespective of their age, gender, nationality, or identity. 

Participants will get the chance to interact with speakers and mentors from all across the world and engage in a community-driven projects with like-minded peers. Workshops, seminars, and discussions revolving around the SDGs will occur, and the spirit of knowledge will be unleashed. High-profile guest speakers will recount their experiences, and other civilized meetings will broaden your spectrum of awareness. 

We know one thing for sure: NO ONE will be left out in the cold. We always have something new to offer!

The Deputy Head of Secretariat for the Global Summit 2.0, Ilyes Zeraiki, personally encourages you all to dive in. Ilyes himself graced the previous Summit and now essays the role of the Deputy Head of Secretariat. As the Deputy Head, he oversees the Admin Team, the Community Building Team, and the SDG Strands, acting as a bridge between the other secretaries.

While interacting with us, he praises this event’s inclusivity and explains the benefits to its participants. He explains, “I think what’s great about the Summit is that whatever you aspire to be or whatever your interests are, there’s still something for everyone in the Summit. For example, if you are interested in Life on Land or Economic growth, you will definitely find related workshops that will inspire you to bring about change”.

Bringing about change is a primary force that steers the MUN Community. Does this Summit fulfill that responsibility? Answering the same, Ilyes believes that change is definite. According to him, the new addition of the ‘SDG Sandbox’ and the ‘Dolphin Pool’ would allow the participants to come up with their ideas and find a medium to implement them; therefore, you will get the chance to pitch in some projects. He believes, “It’s different to tell the participants what to do, but it’s better to let them figure it out and submit it to the ‘Dolphin Pool’ where experts will give feedback, tweak ideas and add efficiency.” Practicality and independence will be valued. 

Apart from the educational aspect, this Summit also includes more relaxing and sociable activities. Ilyes fondly mentions that during the last Summit what many people enjoyed was the ‘Social Hour.’ The ‘Social Hour’ was designed to take a break from the seriousness of it all and converse with total strangers! It sounds crazy, but many people actually ended up making friends and kept in touch even outside of the Summit.

Well, maybe you’re genuinely considering participating now. But what does the Summit demand of you as a participant? Are you qualified enough? Will newbies make competent contributors? 

“No matter what your experience, just being interested is all we’re looking for. There’s not like a competent or a non-competent participant; anyone who just wants to learn is what we’re looking for. Everyone matters and our focus is to engage as many people as possible,” says Zeraiki.

Still not sure whether it would be worth your time and support your growth? Don’t worry, you have someone to erase your doubts. Ilyes courteously reflects on his journey as he explains how he has grown from a delegate to a mentor. Zeraiki believes that after attending such Summits and events, he is now a better communicator, more knowledgeable and has explored himself better. During his interview, one could tell how much passion he held for the Summit and how eager he is to unite you.

On a final note, what does Ilyes Zeraiki, the Deputy Head of Secretariat want to say? With good intentions, he quotes:

“Every action matters. Whether you’re working towards solving cancer, participating in community service, or even participating in the Summit, you’re always a part of making an impact”

A message from all of us:

“Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

No nonsense meant,

Looking forward to seeing you.”

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Behind the Screen: Interviewing Aanya Srivastava

By Rishita Ghosh & Nandini Badhan

It’s amazing how people’s eyes blaze with passion and their faces blossom like a flower when they eagerly await something special. One such person was Aanya Srivastava, and the “something special” she talked about was the “MUN IMPACT GLOBAL SUMMIT 2.0”.

Yes, you heard it right. WE ARE BACK! We’ve missed you so much since the previous Summit that we couldn’t control ourselves this time. While extending a hand of collaboration, we are pleased to announce that the “MUN IMPACT GLOBAL SUMMIT 2.0” is back to make you experience the addictively empowering nature of change. Driven by a community of like-minded peers, this Summit is a free online 3 day event that enables you to participate in workshops, interact with peers/mentors, attend seminars and gives you the chance to pitch your projects and ideas to solve the real-world problems out there. We welcome each one of you, regardless of your age, gender, nationality, or identity.

Talking about the same, Aanya Srivastava, the Co-Secretary-General for the Global Summit 2.0, was kind enough to let her interview us. As the Summit’s Co-Secretary, she oversees the Communications aspect of the Summit by answering questions, assisting teams, and managing the workflow. She even delivered one of the welcome speeches during the previous Summit and will now essay the role of a recurring participant. Aanya is also the Co-Assistant Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of the MENA Region and a Mentor at MUN@Home. 

We all know that MUN is a reservoir of learning opportunities and experiences. But how would this Summit benefit you? What exactly does it offer? Answering the same, Aanya informs, “There are workshops from Thought Leaders, Model UN Clubs, and several MUN Conferences; We have the SDG Sandbox where you plan for the projects and learn to implement them. We have 90-minute collaborative sessions that allow you to use our tools to plan something and then there is the Dolphin Pool where you pitch it. You receive ideas from different points of view and get to see the inside of how things actually work. It really is inspiring!”

On being asked why she wants to become a participant herself, Aanya fondly says, “It’s just so action-driven and collaborative and special that I immediately knew I have to be a part of this. You don’t only get to learn, plan and take action; you also get to meet so many people. It’s basically a platform where you get to meet thousands of others, so what’s better than that?”

Looks like the Summit meets Aanya’s passions and expectations, but what about us? Are we the target audience? Well, Aanya says, “The target audience is everyone. Presenters, for example, are both adults and students. This is for everyone who is interested in working with other people to make a change in their community. We especially look forward to the youth because they are the future. We have the power, we have everything. We just need that little extra push, which is what this Global Summit is about”

During further interaction, she also gets candid about her journey. Before joining MUN Impact, she was a curious young girl who understood the importance of change. But after joining, she acknowledges that her level of awareness has skyrocketed altogether. She encourages every single one of you to participate, and wants you to get inspired, just like she did. 

Aanya is proud to say that she has made an impact, and will continue to do so. After all, success is nothing but grabbing the right opportunity at the right time; and this Summit is one of those guiding moments. If she could describe the Summit in one word, what would that be? Without any hesitation, Aanya replied, “Monumental. There are so many words to say, but this Summit for sure is Monumental.” While wrapping up the interview, she quotes Mahatma Gandhi, saying:

“Be the change you want to see in the world……. Be the change, make the change, and it will happen.”

It cannot be emphasized enough about how important this Summit is. To participate, register now at: https://munimpact.org/globalsummit2-0/

A message from all of us:

“Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Let’s change the world,

Me and you.”

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On inspiration and action: Interview with Farihah Ahmed

By Meenakshi Mariappan

“What’s important is not just being inspired, but going and doing something about it. That’s what makes the Global Summit stand out from anything else. That’s why the value of this Summit is so crucial to the world.”

Truer words have never been said as the speaker is none other than the Secretariat’s Head, Farihah Ahmed, spearheading the leadership teams for the upcoming Global Summit 2.0. One interview with her was enough to secure such words of promise. And sure enough, her responses are bound to be inspiring to all!

In keeping with the MUN Impact aspiration to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Ahmed confirmed the significance of SDGs in our world. “The SDGs, not just in my life but in everyone’s life, are probably one of the most important things that especially we, as young people, should be aware of.”

Subsequently, she emphasized the relevance of the Summit, remarking that “at a time when crucial systems around the world are failing, the Global Summit highlights the importance of youth action and advocacy.” With political systems and essential services, such as healthcare and education, coming to a standstill over the pandemic, she reiterates that young people must not wait for adults and policymakers to take action anymore. For her, it is vital that the youth take action themselves, “not taking these barriers as they are anymore, but instead breaking them.” 

This sums up the essence of the Global Summit and the reason for its existence. Ahmed admits that the first Summit in July served as a: “trial and error process and a great starting point, sort of like a melting point of ideas; with people from all around the world coming together with their ideas on how we can change our world, it was a chance to exchange ideas for what they are.” But as she points out, we at MUN Impact realize that it is now time to take these shared ideas that we see as youth and put them into action, to ensure a tangible final product rather than leaving the idea suspended in limbo. “This time,” she says, “it’s all about action. It’s about inspiring young leaders everywhere, and even if it’s something super small, just going into the world and making that change so that we can all move forward sustainably. Taking all those ideas and making them a reality, that’s why and how the idea for this Summit came about.”

True to the values of MUN Impact, Ahmed is also a fervent believer of the power of Model UN. Using MUN as a tool, she underlined that “we need to apply our knowledge to take action, taking a path forward to change our world for the better.” Since joining O-MUN six months ago as a debate officer, she has assumed the role of Secretary-General of O-MUN.. She now heads the Secretariat for the upcoming Global Summit. Running out of words to describe “how surreal the experience is,” Ahmed revealed that being a part of MUN Impact has transformed her in a way; “the responsibility and the chance to serve as a role model for other students has made me appreciate MUN more.”

When asked about how it felt to be a part of MUN Impact, she likened it to being “part of this big collective beehive, bursting with ideas and passion.” And it truly is a befitting description. “It’s a new community of friends,” she says, “and an awesome support system, like a beehive buzzing with energy. Everyone’s a leader, and every single leader is working to make sure that this Summit comes to fruition.”

Moreover, she expressed her hopes for the upcoming event, wishing that “people come out of this, not just more aware of the SDGs, but knowing how to take action and how exactly to make a change.” All of us at MUN Impact, as does Ahmed, hope that “out of the thousands who attend, at least a couple of people go and apply this in real life, no matter how big or small.”

To conclude, here is Ahmed’s message for all participants: “sit back, relax, and come with an open mind. That’s the biggest thing: come with an open mind. You are going to learn how to take action and how to be a changemaker. And that’s such an invaluable experience, so try to make the most of the Summit no matter what.” 

Feeling inspired? The next step then is to take action. So join us on October 23-25 for the long-awaited Global Summit 2.0! Find more information at https://munimpact.org/globalsummit2-0/.

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Strengthening unity through Social Hours: Let’s socialize!

By Kopano Maketekete

After a day of thoughts and discussion on the Sustainable Development Goals, would you not find it appealing to socialize with friends? Well the Social Hour it is! The definition is as explicit as the naming, social hour. It is one of the most anticipated moments during the summit, precisely towards the end of each day. Here people share some get-together time and get to know about each other outside what brought them together, hence advancing and promoting friendship. It was first introduced in the very first MUN Impact Global Summit. The goal was to collaborate outside the summit’s content, creating a bond of friendship among the participants. Through the social hour, participants enjoy the last of the summit where they can discuss anything. So it is inherently about baring your soul and unwinding with the MUN Impact family, permitting the bond to blossom.

The Social Hour is way more than just having fun but is also about sharing a common mentality of being a family from different regions, brought together with an overall goal of solving the world’s most pressing issues. From its very first conception, it is now featured in other MUN Impact programs for the benefit it proved to serve – bonding the family and facilitating the easy flow of discussions on set agendas. Therefore, it goes without saying that the three-day upcoming Global Summit 2.0 starting the 23rd of October will also hold a social hour.

Zoey Fisher and Leila Ali Diab, our Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General respectively, are the pioneers of this brilliant idea, which they facilitate tremendously well. It is amazing to watch Zoey dancing on camera after a lengthy discussion following the issues put for solutions. That is the moment you know that now you fully understand the MUN Impact family. Why not try to solve the world’s most intricate issues and concerns while having fun at the same time?

In her exact words, Zoey declared: “It was definitely bittersweet, but I think it represented what a success the event was. I remember that we sat there for thirty minutes because no one wanted to close the event. It was heartwarming to know that everyone had a good time and that the first Global Summit would be a success”. 

The Social Hours are quite an experience and one that I would never want to miss out on. The events give you the opportunity to virtually sit together with student delegates, ranging from any age, from all around the globe with the like-mindedness of finding solutions to global issues and advocacy of SDGs. Don’t miss out and preregister for the MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0 here!

I will see you there!

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Speaking at the UN International Day of Peace

By Abdullah Shamsi

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On Thursday, September 17th I had the privilege of speaking at the United Nations International Day of Peace. I was chosen as one of eight youth to speak at this event. When I had initially received an email from the UN asking if I was willing to participate, I was immediately filled with a sense of pride and joy. I have been involved in MUN both locally and internationally for over six years, and so to finally be able to speak at the highest level there is in the field where it is no longer a model and the actual United Nations felt like a huge accomplishment. 

Although I was given the freedom to discuss peace in the context I deemed fit, I chose to focus on stability in the Middle East specifically. This is because it is the region I am from and live in and therefore have the most experience and knowledge to talk about. I also wanted to highlight ares of unfathomable suffering, identify young entrepreneurs in the region making a difference, and provide genuine hope for a better future. Earlier in the event, Dr. Jane Goodall mentioned that we must think locally, and realize there are many people around the world fighting for the same thing. Then, when like-minded people come together, global change is made. That truly resonated with me and in a sense encapsulated my intended message superbly.

It was definitely an honor as well to be amongst the likes of Dr. Jane Goddall as mentioned, Mr. Yo-Yo Ma, and of course Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres. This is the type of experience that shapes you as a person and one that I will certainly cherish. Being a young driven individual listening to the other speakers about the importance of peace, it is now clearer than ever that we must all stand together and take action to ensure a more prosperous future for not only ourselves but coming generations.

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SDG Sandbox: A tool to drive action and impact to achieve the SDGs

By Alehna Romero (Global Summit 2.0 Head of Press)

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If you are interested in developing a project, this space is for you!

We know that planning a project and finding resources can be tough; that’s why we want to help you and support you, your ideas, and projects at the SDG Sandbox.

You will boost your confidence, gain unique experiences, make new friends, connect with new people, grow your network, get involved with the MUN Impact community, and learn how to plan and work together to achieve our goals! So it’s a great learning and personal experience that everyone can get involved with from anywhere in the world! Like every online program MUN Impact organises, the Global Summit is entirely free, all you have to do is fill in the registration form. Give yourself the chance to change the world!

But what exactly is the SDG Sandbox? This strand will hold 2-hour sessions where Keynote speakers, global shapers, and DSGs from MUN Impact will kindly guide you through the process of developing action plans that you can take to your community. Here, you will get the chance not only to work but also to meet and make connections with students worldwide.

At the Sandbox sessions, you will be able to choose from a selection of SDG targets to work on.

Participants will be able to work on a selection of the SDGs in the Sandbox Sessions

Each SDG has many areas in which you can work on, every single one has its advantages, and we know that you’ll come up with great solutions that’ll leave others amazed. Therefore, we would be delighted to have you participating and making an impact. Once you have developed your idea, you can have a go at pitching it in our dolphin pool and get feedback and encouragement from industry leaders and UN officials.

When the summit is over, high school students can join us in our MUN Impact Collaboration Hubs. You can even continue to develop and improve your project through initiatives and events, technology solutions, a start-up business, etc. There are a lot of projects that you can develop along with a group of students that’ll have the same interest as you in achieving the SDGs. In addition, you can use this opportunity to start to prepare for the SDGs challenge. If you want more information on the SDGs Challenge click here and pre-register yourself.

And remember: “Difficult things take long, impossible things take a little longer.” – Andre A. Jackson

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Rousing tomorrow’s youth: ‘Inspiration’

One of our many inspiring workshops at the last Summit

As the long-awaited Global Summit 2.0 draws near, taking action and making a change never seemed so vital with the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in right now. Through the Inspiration strand, MUN Impact’s October Summit offers students worldwide the opportunity to do precisely this.

“But I am only a student. Can I make a positive impact in my local community? Do MUN clubs and conferences play a significant role in advancing effort towards achieving the SDGs? Is it possible to make a change as an individual?” 

If these are perhaps questions lingering in your mind, the answer is: YES! 

The Global Summit 2.0 will serve as a free platform for middle, high school, and university students from all walks of life and every corner of the world to answer these questions.

With the upcoming event being divided into various strands, attendees will gain valuable insight into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how the power to make a change can be harnessed through Model United Nations. 

Out of the three strands offered, the Inspiration Strand focuses exclusively on making an impact through MUN clubs and conferences. Taking place on the 23rd of October, this strand will feature workshops and panel discussions held by a mix of both student leaders and guest speakers. And as the name suggests, attendees are sure to leave each session with newfound inspiration!

Participants will have the chance to engage with student speakers from Model UN clubs worldwide, committed to promoting the SDGs and the UN and MUN Impact values. By listening to their success stories, these sessions can provide students with innovative ideas and, more importantly, the drive to act on local and global issues. In particular, the MUN club showcases will handle several questions and issues, including securing club partnerships with other schools and organizations to collaborate on MUN and SDG initiatives and how you can make your MUN club more impactful. 

What if your school does not yet have its MUN club? Well, the workshops will also touch on the question and process of starting a MUN club at your school from scratch. Rest assured, the Global Summit 2.0 has something for everyone!

The Inspiration strand’s second component is to address MUN conferences and how they can prove potential platforms to promote the SDGs. In the form of one hour sessions, participants will hear from speakers who are part of renowned MUN conferences worldwide on how these events align with the SDG effort. Additionally, for the dedicated MUNner, the workshops will shed light on the process of organizing a MUN conference at your school.

In conversation with Global Secretary General Zoey Fisher, she highlights that the SDG strands for this Global Summit are “meant to inspire action rather than just serve as learning opportunities.” The Inspiration strand is assured to spark motivation in all participants and thereby instil the determination required to advance the SDGs through MUN club action and conference best practices. Fisher also expressed her hopes for the Summit, anticipating that “MUN Impact’s model of inspiration and action will really come to life.” 

So join us for a promising three days and be part of MUN Impact’s global youth effort to make a change!

Find more information at https://munimpact.org/globalsummit2-0/. 

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By Meenakshi Mariappan

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Dolphins as our inspiration to collaborate: ‘Dolphin Pool’

Image: Public Domain Images – www.pixnio.com

Have you ever had a great idea that you want to share but just do not know how? 

We proudly present the newest strand to our Global Summit 2.0, the Dolphin Pool. A strand where you can get coached on becoming a professional pitcher and with your team, make a case for your innovative SDG project. 

In addition, we have an SDG Sandbox that’ll help you to develop a plan and if you wish, you can pitch your plan in our Dolphin Pool that will run on Sunday 25th, getting feedback and encouragement from industry leaders and UN officials.

If you don’t have a lot of experience, do not worry, the point here is to learn from one another; remember that in the MUN Impact community, we support each other. 

Many people are not aware of the meaning behind this strand, so I’ll start explaining. This strand is our version of “shark tank”, with the difference that it got named after dolphins, as you can notice, but why, you might wonder? Well, dolphins teach us how we can collaborate successfully.  For example, in a study by New Scientist, Bottlenose Dolphins’ ability was tested to open a canister of food; the report showed that the dolphins not only communicated amazingly but also collaborated.

Here are some of the lessons dolphins gave to us:

  • Communication: Working together, it’s all about communication. As Annemarie Walkling said in What dolphins can teach us about collaboration (It’s not as fishy as it sounds). “Without clear communication, collaboration is just reduced to several people working on different aspects, or perhaps even unknowingly the same aspects, of a project without a holistic understanding.”
  • Focused communication: While some members of your team may prefer Zoom calls, perhaps others prefer text or audio messages, so try to find ways in which everyone’s comfortable .
  • Teamwork: scientists found that Bottlenose Dolphins were most successful at opening the canister when they worked together, so working in a team can facilitate the process of pitching and brainstorming.
  • Everyone can help: Dolphins often collaborate with other species or even with humans to achieve a goal, and so we will. In the last summit, people from over 81 countries joined us and allowed us to learn about their different cultures and taught us lessons that we will never forget.

As we have seen, our naming has a meaning behind it and we want to teach everyone that we can work together and be as one when it comes to making an impact. All of us can develop a project, but sometimes it’s hard to take the challenge and work together; that’s why we launched this strand: to learn how to improve our teamwork skills and to make our projects a reality,  to inspire, to make an impact, to practice our trust, speaking, and collaboration skills.

We would be delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of your projects and help out in whatever way we can. We know that every single one of you has the power to make a better world and with your help and interest in joining our strands, we will achieve the SDGs.

You can find more information at https://munimpact.org/globalsummit2-0/, stay tuned for registrations!

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By Alehna Romero (Global Summit 2.0 Head of Press)

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Looking back at the Global Summit – Uniting the World through the SDGs

With more than 1800 participants from 101 countries, our Global Summit was a total success; we got to know real changemakers and left youth from all over the world feeling inspired. On the back of such a successful event, you are cordially invited to the MUNI Global Summit 2.0, Driving Action and Impact for the SDGs.

None of us wanted the past global summit to end and that is why in this post we will enlist some of the most ICONIC moments of the last summit before handing over to the second installment of the Global Summit.

The closing ceremony definitely was one of the BEST moments; some people showed their absolute talent, whether to sing, rap, or make everyone happy. Now, let’s get to the moving part. There was a lot of nostalgia; we didn’t want the summit to end; we were all so engaged and already had made great friends. 

First of all, social hours. Can´t we all agree those were amazing? So thanks to everyone who made it possible! 

If you weren’t involved, the social hours were the moments to chill, take a break from stress, make connections and friends, share ideas, and take part in every activity you could imagine. Our amazing admins made incredibly fun games and encouraged everyone to talk, so if you are shy, don’t worry, we will make sure you feel welcomed when these sessions make a much needed comeback.

At the past summit, we had a 24-hour help desk where you could stop by in case you had questions or wanted information about MUNI and its many programs. But the MUNI community took it further, and at the help desk, there was always a party going on; that was the space to chat and relax while participants were informed about whatever they wanted to know.

The opening ceremony was perfect! It was the first day, and everyone was so excited that finally, the much awaited Global Summit was about to begin. Everything was dealt with professionally, and Ms. Martin’s words were inspiring to all of us. 

And finally, all of the sessions were amazing! The participants were engaged and always showed their appreciation to the speakers and presenters. It was truly amazing to watch how we can start making an impact and inspiring others to join us.

Thank you everyone for staying with us and remembering our favorite moments of the last summit. We are really looking forward to seeing you all again from 23rd to 25th of October!

Don’t forget to share YOUR favorite moments of the last summit with us, whether via e-mail at hello@munimpact.org or on social media, using the hashtags ‘#MUNiGlobalSummit’, ‘#MUN4theSDGs’ and ‘#MUNimpact’!

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By Alehna Romero (Global Summit 2.0 Head of Press)

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The Expanding Circle of Human Rights and the SDGs Connecting the Dots

By Ouriel Reshef (MUN and Paris Model UN (PAMUN) Director Emeritus)

In those troubled times, we are so concerned about what happened yesterday and what is happening today, that we fail to pause and take the bird’s eye view of longer term assessment, and miss taking stock of achievements kept hidden by the turmoil of current events. As a result, we may miss the deeper meaning of our own action, as we ignore how it is but a link in a long chain, plunging its roots in the past as well as looking up to a (hopefully) brighter future. This is the case, for instance, for Human Rights. (1)

Consider the extent of documents produced by the United Nations on the matter of Human Rights: (2)

The doctrinal compass for all these documents is the proposition that there is a universal standard, framed mainly in terms of human rights, that all states live up to in their treatments of all people under their jurisdiction (sovereignty notwithstanding). This is a revolutionary proposition! Its roots are in the Enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions, and the progressive abolition of slavery in the 19th century, but of course, it has received a tremendous boost in the 20th century’s horrors.

Ouriel Reshef (MUN and Paris Model UN (PAMUN) Director Emeritus)

Except for the Convention on the Rights of Indigenous People, which recognizes rights of people for belonging to a specific community, all other documents unambiguously ascribe rights to individuals – as individuals, on their account – and affirm that individuals are bona fide moral and legal subjects, rather than valuable only in virtue of their connection or contribution to some group. Those documents also ascribe those rights to all human beings, thus unambiguously rejecting any radical inegalitarianism, for any reason whatsoever.

In a book that has become a classic, The Expanding Circle, Ethics, Evolution and Moral Progress (2011), the philosopher Peter Singer has argued compellingly that the essence of moral progress was the progressive inclusivity of moral norms, the progressively expanding circle of people and situations to which fundamental values applied. Viewed from this perspective, the dozen or so UN documents on Human Rights seem to be the culmination of such an expanding circle … even revealing further summits to conquer. Today, we speak of future generations’ rights, for which we might be accountable, or of animal rights, so the circle keeps expanding.

It would be a dangerous mistake to assume that today’s only question is to continue advancing the human rights movement. Instead, the more fundamental question is how to sustain the conditions that have made the progress already achieved possible. We shouldn’t assume that the progress we have witnessed is ineluctable or reached once and for all. Regression may be looming backstage and waiting to pounce. While aiming for inclusivity and seeking to protect it, exclusivist reactions may still gain the upper hand. Large-scale and highly destructive wars, failed states, lethal global pandemics, ethno-racial conflicts within and between states, environmental deterioration that severely reduces material prosperity, engenders resource scarcity, and damage civil order, oppressive regimes… such developments might be destructive of human rights. We still need to struggle, we still need to be vigilant, and we still need to be aware of our successes’ fragility.

Fortunately, the international community’s collective wisdom, embodied in the United Nations, has developed an awareness that socio-economic, educational, and environmental progress is key to thriving human rights. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their successor, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), can be seen to some extent to be the answer to the challenge: this is how we intend to buttress human rights by strengthening the conditions of their success. Far from merely being a hodgepodge of wishful thinking, the SDGs embody the very needs of human rights growth. Any progress in achieving any of the 17 SDGs is also contributing to ensure and increase the expanding circle of human rights.

In this context, youth mobilization everywhere, through Model UN, is a source of hope. The world that older generations leave in their hands is rife with multiple failures, too many to count. But it is also a world of some achievements that require their attention, nurture, and grow to full bloom, to bring to fruition. It is not an empty slogan, but true: they hold their future in their own hands, and they can make a difference!

1. This reflection is inspired by Allen Buchanan & Russell Powell, The Evolution of Moral Progress, a biocultural theory, Oxford University Press, 2018.

2 To view the status of ratification: https://indicators.ohchr.org/

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GLOBAL SUMMIT 2.0

MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0: Driving Impact and Action for the SDGs

Last month, MUN Impact launched its first-ever Global Summit. At the time of its birth, we had no idea how successful it would be. But with student presenters, influential UN-affiliated speakers, and dedicated change-makers coming together, the Summit exceeded all expectations. It brought together young people all over the world into a supportive, inspiring, and enriching ecosystem. The future of the SDGs never looked so bright. 

But this coming October, MUN Impact will launch the Global Summit 2.0. This three-day event will be devoted purely to action and change-making. There will be multiple workshops held by students, thought leaders, and UN officials. Learn how to use your knowledge and skills gained from MUN to drive action and impact into your communities. 

The MUNI Global Summit 2.0 will feature three exciting strands: Inspiration, SDG Sandbox, and the Dolphin Pool. You’ll be able to pick workshops and sessions based on your interest and experience. 

Preregister for the SUMMIT HERE

The first strand, Inspiration, offers ideas and ingenuity for advancing the SDGs. Take a peek inside the initiatives, projects, and creative ways MUN clubs, students and thought leaders are effectuating change. And leave with ideas on how you can take action and be part of a growing network of change makers. 

The second strand, the SDG Sandbox, is composed of 90-minute collaborative sessions through which you’ll learn how to plan a project that solves a problem in your local or global community. 

Finally, the last strand is the Dolphin Pool. Pitching an idea is a delicate art — but one you can master. Contrary to the competitive ‘Shark Tank’, our take on pitching involves teamwork, collaboration and communication — skills that dolphins are masters of. Take the idea you developed in the SDG Sandbox, and refine and develop a pitch with our guidance. Then you’ll be able to make a case for your one-of-a-kind SDG project. 

We’ll also host a number of social hours at the end of each Summit Day. These are a place where you can hang out, make new friends, listen to music, etc. 

The MUNI Global Summit 2.0 is sure to be bigger, more practical, and more influential than our last Summit. Make sure you don’t miss it. It’s the next step towards tackling the SDGs and creating a brighter future for us all. Pre-registration is open now. For more information please see the MUN Impact Summit website here.

Dates: October 23 – October 25

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By: Jonathan Sunkari

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Mr Andrew Hudson: SDG 14 Oceans – Challenges, Opportunities and UNDP Response

Mr. Andrew Hudson is the Head of Water & Ocean Governance United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He initiated several signature UNDP water and ocean programmes including MDG GoAL-WaSH (Governance, Advocacy and Leadership for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), global scaling up of UNDP-Coca Cola Company Every Drop Matters Partnership, UNDP Shared Waters Partnership, GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN) and the 2020 launch of UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge. He presented on Session 1 on the first day of our Global Summit.

When you think of the environmental crisis, does ocean pollution and overfishing come to mind? While often overlooked, oceans absorb around 40% of carbon dioxide emitted every year. Moreover, marine ecosystems host approximately 17,000 species. Threats to oceans include pollution, overfishing, and acidification which would pose a plethora of issues for humans and nature. Our esteemed guest speaker, Mr. Hudson noted that the damage to marine ecosystems costs 13 billion dollars every year.

The focus of Mr. Hudson’s presentation was on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 14 ‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Among the many things that Mr Hudson discussed, were the different SDG 14 targets, the progress of achieving SDG 14 targets, and the multi-dimensional threats posed of not address the ocean crisis.  His presentation was very inspiring and informative, with plenty of graphs and charts to demonstrate the urgency of achieving SDG 14. 

For your reference, these are the SDG targets that were discussed. 

14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds 

14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans 

14.3: Minimize and address the effects of ocean acidification 

14.4: Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans 

14.5: Conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas

14.6: Prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies

14.7: Increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources

According to National Geographic, ocean overfishing is simply the taking of wildlife from the sea at rates too high for fished species to replace themselves. Mr. Hudson warns that unsustainable fishing practices may both harm the environment and the economy. For example, big industrial fishing operations that aggressively catch large amounts of fish through new technology, disadvantage millions as many local communities rely on fishing for their livelihood and diet. 

Mr. Hudson suggests that tackling ocean pollution and overfishing should be through technical, political, economical, and financial facets. In his own words “multiple sectors are needed at all levels of governance”. This is to ensure long-term solutions in achieving SDG 14. He also advises individuals to participate in initiatives such as the Ocean Innovation Challenge by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and partnerships to increase the efforts in tackling threats to the ocean. Most importantly, Mr Hudson advocates that incentives should be given to encourage environmentally-friendly practices. 

Mr. Hudson’s presentation thoroughly explained why the protection of oceans should be a priority on our agenda. Overlooking this matter would have harsh consequences on our planet because oceans are largely interconnected with the climate. We would like to truly thank Mr. Hudson for presenting at our Summit.

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By Omayma Cherkaoui

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Ella Sobhani and Vivian Wu – Project Aquascope – Environmental Sustainability, STEM and Youth Entrepreneurship

MUN debates are excellent at coming up with ideas and initiatives, but a lot of those ideas get left behind and never get implemented. However, two MUN delegates, Ella and Vivian break that norm by taking their passion for MUN beyond conferences and debate to their initiative, Project Aquascope. The project, which is based on three pillars, Environmental Sustainability, STEM Education, and Youth Empowerment, aims to make education and innovation accessible to all. All three of those pillars were very present in the talk. 

The project originated from the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) orientated initiative, Project Foldscope, which aimed to solve an accessibility problem in science through the creation of an affordable $1 origami microscope which helped make STEM education widely accessible.  However, Ella and Vivian decided to change the focus of the project to be more environmentally orientated. Project Foldscope had made massive advances in lowering boundaries in STEM, but the duo believed a re-evaluation was necessary to make Project Foldscope even more successful. This was particularly evident on a trip to Panama where Ella and Vivian found that students were more interested in the microscope than the actual science that they were supposed to be studying. 

Upon a re-evaluation of the program, three traits were decided on to try to make STEM even more accessible to students. These are, Practical, Beneficial, and Engaging. These traits were important in getting students involved and helped lead them to find an aim for this redesigned program. Therefore, Project Aquascope aims to try and reduce food scarcity through Aquaponics, an innovative agriculture process where plants sit on top of fish tanks and as a result the plants draw nutrients from the animal waste in the tanks below them. This creates an organic method of fertilization for the plants and is very cost and space effective. Project Aquascope is also driven by the SDGs and the project’s Three Pillars can be linked very closely to the goals. This was important for Ella and Vivian as SDGs 4 & 10, in particular, have a very close relationship to them. 

After a very informative description of their project, the talk then took a turn towards a more interactive workshop, focusing on their third pillar, Youth Empowerment. Some advice they gave to attendees was to talk to people about your ideas and take risks to get your projects running. Following some advice, a mix and match activity aimed to get participants thinking about how they could turn their passions and skills into projects which would help tackle the globes’ issues and could even be linked to the SDGs. For example, one idea turned a person’s interest in music and their passion for different cultures into a multicultural music festival with the focus of celebrating our diversity as humans.

Ella and Vivian’s workshop reminded attendees of the impact humans, and the youth, can have and served as an inspiration for many other MUN delegates to take their skills and ideas, and use them to make a difference for others.

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By William W.

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MUN en Casa by YudLeads: Making online MUN accessible to ALL (English)

Alejandro Borja, Camila Cabrera, and Antonella Cicconi gave us an incredible presentation where they made us question our ideas about Latin America.

Alejandro, the executive director and founder of YudLeads, was a lead mentor along with Antonella and Camila for a program developed by him and his colleagues called MUN en Casa. He is currently studying law at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. He is a teacher by vocation, a specialist in youth empowerment, who’s passionate about MUN and dance.

Camila is a co-founder of YudLeads and as mentioned before she was also a lead mentor for MUN@home however, she also performed a role as a translator during the program. Currently, she’s a student at the Faculty of Law of Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Camila is also a  specialist in creating public policies but above all, she has a very particular interest in education and gender equality.

Antonella is a professional interpreter who graduated from the Universidad del Museo Social Argentino and an assistant professor of the “English language” at the university. In addition to being a founder, director, and teacher of ‘help! – Center of English Language Studies’ she is studying pedagogy and is completely passionate about her work, art, and education as she believes that education is one of the most powerful tools to complete the SDGs.

Alejandro commented that Latin America is the region with the highest inequality ranges as only 10% of the population speaks the English language fluently. English language speakers are mostly private school students or people with a high economic flow. Inspired by these data the team of YudLeads decided to reduce inequalities by creating a program that was completely developed in Spanish. 

MUN en C@sa took the initiatives of MUN@Home and translated them into Spanish, however, as the program advanced, the awareness of the cultural differences between Latin America and the United States just increased. 

The apps used at MUN@Home were completely unknown for Latin America delegates so the lead mentors had to change to something easier: google classroom.

The delegates were divided into committees chaired by a lead mentor and two mentors, the lead mentors were people with a lot of experience in MUN who had key knowledge to start the program while the mentors were people who knew MUN didn’t have enough experience that’s why they took courses to become better.

The teaching strategy was not only a mentor talking about the topics, but also sharing experiences and creating ties within the program. The objective was to create a closeness between delegates, mentors, and lead mentors, and as Antonella said “we learn from the delegates, and the delegates learn from us.”

The objective of the program was fulfilled, the lead mentors invited recognized speakers each week and the delegates not only listened to the presentations but got engaged to it.

One session per week was not enough, so one delegate proposed to have extra sessions and also have weekly debates where an SDG would be evaluated. The mentors not only listened to the proposal but executed it.

Engaging delegates was an easy task, although the challenge that constantly arose was to ensure that delegates had an appropriate vocabulary for discussions and that they felt safe applying what they had learned.

However, step by step, the delegates achieved the use of proper language and felt safe while talking.

All knowledge can be obtained from our homes, it is our responsibility not only as delegates, diplomats or ambassadors but as global citizens to inform ourselves about the situation around us.

“A great speaker is one who manages to awaken certain emotions in the audience that others would not, is one who makes people feel as if the speech were theirs”

-ALRO.

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By Aleha

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MUN en Casa by YudLeads: Making online MUN accessible to ALL

Alejandro Borja, Camila Cabrera y Antonella Cicconi nos dieron una increíble presentación en donde nos hicieron cambiar nuestros ideales sobre Latinoamérica.

Alejandro, es el director ejecutivo y fundador de YudLeads, fue lead mentor junto con Antonella y Camila para un programa desarrollado por él y sus colegas llamado MUN en Casa, actualmente se encuentra estudiando leyes en la universidad San Francisco de Quito. Es docente por vocación, especialista en empoderamiento juvenil y apasionado por los modelos ONU y la danza.

Camila, es co-fundadora de YudLeads y como fue mencionado antes también fue lead mentor para MUN en casa sin embargo, ella también desarrolló una función como traductora durante el programa. Actualmente, es estudiante en la facultad de derecho de la universidad San Francisco de Quito y es especialista en creación de políticas públicas, Camila tiene un interés muy particular sobre la educación y la equidad de género.

Antonella, es una intérprete profesional graduada de la Universidad del Museo Social Argentino y profesora asistente de “English lenguage” en la misma. Además de ser fundadora, directora y profesora de help!- Centre of english Language Studies está estudiando pedagogía y es apasionada sobre su trabajo, el arte y la educación ya que cree que la educación es una de las herramientas más poderosas para poder completar los ODS.

Alejandro comentó que América Latina es la región con los rangos de desigualdad más altos y que solamente el 10% de la población habla el idioma inglés de una forma fluída. Los hablantes de el idioma inglés son mayormente estudiantes de escuelas privadas o personas con un flujo económico alto, esto fue lo que inspiró al equipo de YudLeads a ponerle un alto a que las personas hablantes de inglés tuvieran más oportunidades. 

MUN en C@sa, tomó las iniciativas de MUN@Home y las traducido al español, sin embargo al ir desarrollando el programa, cada vez se percataba un poco más de las diferencias culturales entre latinoamérica y Estados Unidos. 

En el programa de MUN@Home, se usan aplicaciones con las que las personas de Latinoamérica no están familiarizadas y al implementarlas el equipo nos cuenta que muchos de los delegados tenían problemas manejandolas o no recibían las notificaciones apropiadamente entonces, decidieron cambiar a algo más dinámico y con lo que todos estuvieran de acuerdo: google classroom. Los delegados fueron divididos en comités dirigidos por un lead mentor y dos mentores, los lead mentors eran personas con mucha experiencia en MUN que tenían conocimientos claves para poner en marcha el programa mientras que los mentores eran personas quienes tenían  conocimientos sobre MUN más no la suficiente experiencia pero, para una experiencia de aprendizaje más enriquecedora se les impartieron cursos a los mentores. 

La estrategia didáctica no fue solamente un mentor hablando sobre los temas si no, compartiendo experiencias y creando lazos dentro del programa. El objetivo era crear una cercanía entre delegados, mentores y lead mentors y como Antonella dijo “nosotros aprendemos de los delegados, y los delegados de nosotros.”

El objetivo del programa se cumplió, los lead mentors nos cuentan que al llevar a presentadores reconocidos cada semana, los delegados mostraron un interés muy grande hacia los temas y no solamente se sentaban a escuchar la sesión si no que también se involucraron en ella y hacían lo posible por sacar lo mejor de cada una de ellas.

Tanto fue el compromiso de los delegados que no era suficiente una sesión a la semana por lo que un delegado propuso tener sesiones extra y también tener debates semanales en donde se evaluaría un ODS y así fue, los lead mentors no sólo escucharon si no, que implementaron los deseos de los delegados.

Involucrar a los delegados fue una tarea fácil, aunque el reto que constantemente se presentaba era lograr que los delegados tuvieran un vocabulario apropiado para los debates y que se sintieran seguros ejecutando lo aprendido ya que constantemente sentían que estaban haciendo algo mal.

Empero, paso a paso se logró que los delegados emplean un lenguaje adecuado y que se sintieran seguros haciéndolo. 

La conclusión a la que se llegó es que todo el conocimiento lo podemos obtener desde nuestras casas, es nuestra responsabilidad no sólo como delegados, diplomáticos o embajadores si no, como ciudadanos globales informarnos sobre la situación a nuestro alrededor.

“Un gran orador es aquel que logra despertar en la audiencia ciertas emociones que de otra forma no lo harían, es aquel que hace que las personas sientan como si el discurso fuera suyo”

-ALRO

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By Aleha

Destacada

An Interview with Arya Kanade

Arya Kanade presented her workshop, Ladies First, to not only a female audience, but also male students and guests as a way to explain that feminism does not have one of its definitions as specific to females, and much more. Neha Varadharajan interviewed her:

  1. How did you find out about the Global Summit?

-I found out about the Global Summit from MUN Impact’s Instagram profile.

  1. How are you associated with MUN Impact?

– I am currently serving as the Diplomat to the MENA region, and I am also serving as the Debates Mentor Officer of E4J with OMUN

3.What was the brainchild of your workshop?

– I was scrolling through Instagram (which is something i have been doing with increasing frequency)

There, i came across a video of a boy talking about why he was not a feminist. That intrigued me, and got me thinking about the reason I am a feminist. That made me decide to present my workshop at the Global Summit on modern day implications of feminism.

4. Why did you find it relevant to present at the Global Summit?

-I found it to be rather relevant because gender equality or SDG 5 has major importance in today’s world for two reasons:

A) even though patriarchy isn’t blatantly seen in our society, its subtle signs are still very prevalent. Female politicians still have to care more about their appearance, and female workers still have to fight for equal pay

B) in LEDCs, even basic rights like the right to bodily autonomy, the right to education and many others aren’t available for girls and women.

Hence, i found the issue of gender inequality to be all the more pressing, because people think it has been solved; but that couldn’t be farther away from the true implications of gender inequality in our society.

5. How far do you think we are from associating equality between men and women?

-I have hope, of course, that we aren’t very far away. I imagine that we all will soon realize how ridiculous it is to ostracize people just because of something that’s not even in their control.

If people start taking gender inequality seriously, then we can achieve the SDG 5 within the next 10 years. But the slight, nuanced implications that are very subtle, will take a lot longer to get rid of.

6. Would you like to describe feminism in a few sentences of your own?

Feminism is an ideology that predominantly focuses on maintaining equality between different genders across the board. That’s it. According to me, feminism is a rather simple concept that has been complicated beyond requirement, which is what makes the whole concept sound complicated, which it truly is not. Even though everyone’s definition of what feminism means may vary, at the end of the day, the goal of the movement is common; equality between all genders.

7. Who are some of the women you admire?

There are so many women who inspire me, mostly because they were pioneers in their respective fields, even if they were predominantly male-dominated

For example; Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousufzai, Olympe de gouges, Marie curie and the list can go on and on for miles

8. What inspiring quote (of your own/favorite) would you tell ladies first?

My favourite quote has to be “Ladies first. Not because ladies are more important. But because ladies are equally important.”

This is my own quote, and i genuinely think it states the difference between equity and equality pretty well, which was one of the goals of my workshop!

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Dr. Anthony Speca: Model Arctic Council and Sustainable Development

During the third session on the first day of the Global Summit, Dr. Anthony Speca, an accomplished professor, teacher, and activist spoke to a group of MUN delegates about his work with the Arctic. Speca is an Adjunct Professor of Canadian studies at Trent University in Canada, as well as a teacher of PPE and Geography at Norwich school in the UK. He is also a formal civil servant within the government of Nunavut in Canadian Arctic. He is a strong advocate for Arctic environments as well as Arctic residents, as he founded a consultancy in 2012 called Principal of Polar Aspect. He also created and launched a secondary school Model Arctic Council (MAC) that currently collaborates with different universities in both Canada and the UK. 

Dr. Speca himself is a resident of Canadian Arctic and is very passionate about introducing the Arctic to today’s youth. He believes that the Arctic should first and foremost be seen as a homeland rather than a pristine wilderness prone to climate change. While it is true that the Arctic is in some sense, a fragile environment due to increasing temperatures, it is also a land that is home to over 4 million people. He wants to change the image that comes to mind when people think of the Arctic and shine more light upon the people who live there. 

Speca jumped into his presentation by explaining what the Arctic is seen as in western culture. He gave a few examples of stereotypes given to the environment. One was that the Arctic is seen as a very fragile ecosystem that needs to be protected from both industrialism and climate change. Next, he said that it is seen as a place where human limits are tested by the inhospitable wilderness of terrain and dangerous animals- a place where only explorers travel on expeditions. Then Speca spoke about how it is a global treasure chest where resources need to be exploited because the Arctic is an environment that is “untouched by man”.  Lastly, he explained how it is most commonly seen as a climate disaster and it is our only shot of redemption to stop climate change and all of its effects. Dr. Speca went on to discuss how the Arctic is not these things. He said that all the stereotypes western culture has labeled the Arctic fail to represent the people who actually live there. 

Dr. Speca’s goal is not only to fight climate change in the Arctic, but also fight for the rights of indigenous people who live there. He shined light upon issues that are often overlooked by outsiders and have not been advocated for. For example, threats to indigenous people and their cultures, how climate change has affected infrastructure and the safety of citizens, high cost of living, limited access to public goods such as health care and education, and above average poverty rates. However, Speca made it evident that public officials and other people outside of the Arctic are only concerned about the wilderness aspect. For instance, a ban was put on seal hunting in the 1970s however, this tremendously affected the way of life for indigenous people, as they could no longer use the pelts or meat the seals, which were both necessary for living. Unfortunately, people did not see the effects of this legal ban and livelihoods were destroyed. This is only one example of how “imaginaries” of the Arctic affect policy decisions.

In conclusion, Dr. Speca created an interesting presentation that built a better understanding of the reality of life in the Arctic. His speech helped his audience understand that it is not just a delicate environment in need of help, but it is a place where people live day to day and experience life just as everyone else. He unbunked many stereotypes that portray the Arctic in unrealistic ways that have led to many misconceptions. Dr. Speca was a great person to present in the Global Summit because he was very passionate about his work and did a great job of introducing the Arctic to the youth of the MUN program.

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Dr. Walter Simonsen: How MUN Impacted my Life as an Educator and Musician

On the first day of the Summit, Dr. Walter Simonsen gave a presentation during the fourth and final session, about his personal experiences with the MUN program and how it has impacted his professional life as a musician and educator. Simonsen grew up in Mission Viejo, California where he attended high school and became active in the MUN program as a delegate. He later went on to graduate from North Texas University in 2000 where he studied jazz. He became the Assistant Director of the USC Marching Band and helped them to perform at large events such as major football games. Simonsen has had many opportunities to travel the world as he’s been to places such as Singapore, London, and Germany. He’s also worked with very well known musicians and artists such as Alicia Keys and Micheal Buble! 

As stated before, Simonsen became active in MUN during his high school years in California. The program allowed him to find a love for travel as he attended conferences in Beijing and New York City, as well as Harvard and Berkeley school of music. By becoming introduced to travel, he learned more about international relations concerning how the world connects. He explained that MUN helped him learn about different world perspectives which ultimately broadened his mindset about the world. 

Along with learning about different places around the world, Simonsen also worked on individual skills such as organization, public speaking, and collaborating with others. He described to his audience that he has always been a shy person, but MUN created a space where he was able to break out of his comfort zone and do things he never thought he could do. He described how MUN has taught him collaboration, leadership skills, and improvisation which are all things he uses in his professional life. For example, Simonsen talked about how he’s now able to show up to a gig and easily work with others for a show or performance while still making sure everyone feels included. He also explained that he has a strong understanding of how to handle different types of people based on how they learn. He acknowledges that different people receive and obtain information in different ways, so he has to be patient while adapting to new learning styles. 

Throughout his presentation, Simonsen showed videos of himself playing the trumpet both for his band called “The Red Light Brass Band”, and for the USC Marching Band. He also engaged the delegates in his live zoom performance of a song from 1952, called “Bernie’s Tune”. The audience loved it! 

When asked the question, “How do you think music can create social change?” he replied, “Music always has a goal. So for example, during the Civil Rights Movement, people created music about being black in that time and it helped motivate people to make a change. Also, people crave honesty, and music is nothing but raw emotion that reveals the truth. That’s what makes it so beautiful.” From this quote alone, it is obvious that Dr. Simonsen has a strong passion for music and how it can be seen in the bigger picture. He closed his presentation by stating that hate has no place in our world and that educated individuals are the ones who will bring us all together.

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By Audrey Pinson

Destacada

Sophia Kianni: Inside the Youth Climate Movement

Sophia Kianni is an 18-year-old climate and environmental activist. She is the founder and executive director of Climate Cardinals: an international nonprofit with over 4,000 members working to translate climate information into over 100 languages. She is also a part of many notable organizations and movements such as Extinction Rebellion. Kianni presented at the third session time slot on Tuesday 21st July. 

Every story has a beginning. Climate Cardinal’s story began when its founder Sophia Kianni was in Middle School and visited her parent’s country of origin, Iran. The air pollution was so severe that around 1,500 people were hospitalized because of it. Kianni realized that many people in Iran were not aware of the threat of climate change.This was because there was a lack of scientific literature in languages besides English. Inspired by this shortage, Sophia Kianni created Climate Cardinals. She knew that for communities to join environmental movements for more sustainable practices, scientific research in other languages had to be plenty.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”Essentially, if a person can connect to the cause, they’ll dedicate their time and energy to the cause. 

For the fight for a more environmentally friendly world, more information should be available in other languages. This is exactly what Sophia Kianni did. She created an organization called Climate Cardinals, an organization that translates climate change information. Now, Climate Cardinals has grown to have 14 Directors, 450 expert language leads and 4,500 student volunteers.

What drives Sophia Kianni is also her social values in terms of the environmental movement. She wholeheartedly believes that the Movement should be inclusive. “Anyone on the frontlines [those mostly afflicted by the environmental crisis] should also lead the movement”, says Sophia Kianni. She gives the example of Indigenous people in the U.S, who have fought for decades for better environmental laws.

Sophia Kianni also showed participants a video titled ‘Environmental Racism is the New Jim Crow Laws’. The video highlighted the suffering of African Americans due to the green crisis and how they are disadvantaged in some ways to Caucasian Americans. 

Not only does Sophia Kianni discuss her organization, languages and inclusivity in her presentation, but she also talks about age. She explains that there is no battle of “us vs adults” and that the movement requires co-operation between all ages to save planet Earth. 

She also advises for youth to do the following to advance the environmental movement:

  • Pressure your school board to pass a climate change resolution
  • Do you your best to support businesses that have divested away from using/supporting fossil fuels
  • Support elected officials who believe in climate justice

In the Q&A, a participant asked Kianni what they should do when they repeatedly try to convince a relative that climate change exists but the relative does not believe in the threat of climate change. Kianni advised the participant to do all they could, to advance the environmental movement rather than continuing to try to convince the relative. This is because there is lots of scientific evidence to prove climate change and more action needs to be taken on combating it.

Sophia Kianni had an incredible vision, which led to the creation of Climate Cardinals. You too can make huge gains for the environmental movement by making it more inclusive and using your skills, talents, and networks, to save our planet. We would like to greatly thank Sophia Kianni for presenting at our Summit.

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By Omayma Cherkaoui

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Victoria Basma: Leveraging Learning Ecosystems for Social Impact

Victoria Basma is the Policy Development Officer for the WISE campaign (Women into Science and Engineering), former education consultant and teacher. She currently works with entrepreneurs to create a positive impact within education systems and pushes towards building sustainable learning ecosystems for students. 

During the second session of the Global Summit, Basma presented to a group of delegates from the MUN program as she explained her passion for creating learning ecosystems and working towards social impact. She began by mentioning current times in our world for example, the Black Lives Matter movement, and talked about how demonstrations and protests around the world have led to some major changes thus far. She believes that protesting for social justice and peace, allows everyone to become politically active and voice their opinions. However, Basma also stated that for long term, protests are an unsustainable way to create social change due to the fact that it ultimately limits the impact. This is because iit closes people’s minds to collaboration since they are only focused on very specific objectives. She talked about how coalition could benefit both diplomats and policy makers while sustaining groups who are advocating for change, because it completely removes individual groups at the core and eventually creates a web of collaboration for direct democracy. 

In the next phase of Basma’s presentation, she described what exactly a learning ecosystem is and how to create one. She started off by asking her audience the question, “What makes your school a learning ecosystem?”. A few responses described how schools build a good connection between students and teachers, how it implements diversity into an everyday setting, and how it helps create collaboration with outside organizations and programs like MUN. Basma then went on to consider that having different avenues of learning and allowing students to “co-create” leads to a healthier environment for a learning ecosystem. She stated that it is important for each member to feel as though they have a “say” in a situation and that is why open discussion is necessary in order to create a good learning ecosystem. Basma believes that collective learning along with individual learning is essential because it allows for a group to work towards a common goal and practice team building, but also helps students to individually grow and improve their skills. 

Lastly, Basma discussed with the audience who makes up learning ecosystems and what it can lead to. She listed the groups of people who exist within the learning community as students, their families, research centers, teachers, administrators, edtech entrepreneurs, and local communities. Each of these groups has some kind of impact on what kind of environment the education system is and how it will eventually affect the students. She then talked about the different factors that create a “good” learning ecosystem. She stressed the importance of student dialogues, teacher training, and diversity amongst students (ethnicity, race, economic status, etc.) and in resources. She stated that “space” for interaction and collaboration allow students to connect. However, that definition of space is changing with the Covid-19 pandemic, as students are no longer able to meet face to face in classrooms. 

Overall, Victoria Basma put together a well-organized, informative, and interesting presentation for her audience, and helped create a better understanding of what a learning ecosystem is and how it can benefit many different groups. She engaged the delegates by allowing them to speak on personal experiences and explore the importance of collaboration and team building. The students who attended her session seemed to enjoy her presentation as they actively listened and asked thoughtful questions.

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By Audrey Pinson

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Jordan Hattar – The Recipe for Success

Mr Jordan Hattar, a former MUNer himself, started working in humanitarian crises at the age of 18 in South Sudan. He has since worked extensively on the Syrian refugee crisis from the country of Jordan and currently runs the charity he co-founded, Help4Refugees. 85 participants from 35 different countries joined Mr Jordan Hattar as he shared anecdotes about his inspirational life and some tips on achieving success.

Like all, Jordan started off with his dreams and goals. However, he could not have achieved any of them without persistence and risk taking. One example of this was his ambition to intern at the White House, when despite seven failed applications he decided to book a flight to Washington DC. It was only after booking his flight his application was accepted and he went on to intern with Michelle Obama in the hope of influencing the Obama Administration’s view on the Syrian Refugee Crisis.

A very prominent theme Jordan highlighted was the importance of mentors. His search for a mentor started in high school and he has since been led through his life by mentors which have guided him through his toughest and hardest moments and shared their experience with him along his journey. Having a ‘why’ can also act as one of the largest driving forces to achieving your dreams and goals. If you are passionate enough about something, you can navigate obstacles which stand in your way, but only with the help of mentors and motivation.

Thinking outside the box can also be pivotal to achieving dreams. A short video telling the story of Denzel Washington, an American actor, director, and producer, told us to ‘fail big’ and take chances. After Jordan finished his internship at the White House, he was offered the chance to continue working on Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative and despite even his father advising him to continue, he decided that his work on refugees would be more beneficial to the many. 

Jordan referenced the importance of ‘hearing each other’. This is particularly important in addressing the challenge of an economically driven youth who are less interested in giving back to our communities than our predecessors were. He told us that if we figure out where our passions and the needs of the world intersect, we can make a real difference in our communities.

A presentation laden with inspirational anecdotes ended with some key tips to help anyone achieve their version of success. These included following your passions, ensuring your career aligns with your ‘why’ and being able to say no. Following this, an informative question and answer session helped guide attendees on how to deal with low self-esteem and where to look to find mentors to support us on our journeys. Jordan told attendees that dealing with self-esteem is “a battle” and we should not let anything stop us from reaching our goals. This was particularly apparent as he referenced a quote that he came across which said, “we don’t choose events, events choose us”.

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By William W.

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Behind the Scenes: The Brains Behind the Revolution

MUN Impact’s first ever Global Summit wouldn’t have been itself without a peek behind the scenes-the brains behind the global online revolution! Session 2 on the 21st of July saw a panel discussion and question-answer session on MUN Impact’s various programs by Zoey Fisher ( Global Secretary General ), Jaideep Singh ( Secretary General ), Farihah Ahmed ( Youth Advisory Council and Secretary General of OMUN ) and Ivan Wei ( Co-DSG for junior OMUN ). The session was introduced as a thank you to the entire MUN Impact community and an introduction for newcomers.

“MUN Impact has grown,” they emphasized during the session. A description was given about all of MUN Impact’s programs, how to be a part of them, and what purpose they served.

Jaideep said, ‘We want to teach high school students how to MUN and link it to the Sustainable Development Programme’. The tagline, Uniting The World Through The SDGs, stood true. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals announced by the UN have a special place in MUN@Home and MUN en Casa programs. Yes, you read that right! As a way of making available to non-English speakers the wonderful MUN@Home program, MUN en Casa provided a whole Spanish experience. The panelists with remembrance noted the roots of the programme. The panelists with happiness said the community has grown. Zoey said, “We had five diplomats when we started out. Today, 70 diplomats for close to 20 per continent and a large team work for MUN Impact.”

While Ivan answered questions diligently Fariha said, “ One of our main goals is to reach as many people as possible. That is why our programs are free.” Adding on Jaideep proudly remarked, “taking money kills the purpose of making the world a better place. That is what makes the MUN Impact different from commercial MUN organizations.” Asynchronous Edmodo mentoring was a highlighting feature for all participants. They were elated knowing that they would not only have an international debate with new friends but also training for the same by MUN experts. Presenters were asked for their best MUN experience. They answered with a tone of not only obsession, but love for MUN. They shared wonderful experiences. Ivan said, “meeting people outside of school and debating in an out-of-school-conference was very special to me.’ All presenters shared similar heartwarming experiences.

They also elaborated on diplomat positions and talked of how high school students can apply for global leadership positions. The heartwarming end quote? “If you take an initiative, small or big, you will be remembered by all in future generations.” All you need is an internet connection and the drive to make a difference! Join MUN Impact today! 

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By Neha Varadharajan

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Lamya Adam: Research is Confidence

Lamya Adam, a student in year 11 at Doha College, Qatar presented to a group of over 50 students today at 15:30 UTC during the first day of the inaugural Global Summit. She addressed everyone on the topic of “the delegate will reply in note form.” Her presentation addressed a wide array of topics centered around resolution writing, presenting, and conference attending. 

Adams entered the MUN world reluctantly. However, shortly after signing up she found herself surrounded by like minded thinkers and a caring community. Once she entered there was no turning back! Adams began her session with instructions and advice for new members of the MUN community.  She reminded the session that there is “no right or wrong way to write a resolution. There are many different approaches.”

“Research is confidence,” she began. Stressing the importance of research she instructed everyone to read the research reports, skim, highlight, and delve into areas where you need more information using other sources (even recommending Wikipedia, a highlight for the students!) She walked the participants through the structure of writing a resolution: Build out, starting from the research report and explore multiple solutions and weigh the advantages and disadvantages. 

Adams believes that if you put the time and effort into research before the conference it will pay off in the long run. For difficult Points of Information (POI’s), “refer back to your research. Use facts. Research can help you ‘be a politician.’” She explained that to be a politician, “Acknowledge the question but like politicians thank for the input and divert attention. Make sure to highlight the good parts. Stand by your position and resolution!” 

When these tactics (along with sharing the floor with team members) fail for trying to answer a difficult POI, Adam’s delved into how to properly reply in note form. Her first advice: “actually reply with a note!” She warned that many who say they will answer in note form, fail to do so entirely. By answering their question by note, you may win their vote, even if they don’t 100% agree with what you say. Answer their question creatively. She said “think outside the box. MUN is supposed to be fun. Be a little dramatic, but highlight the good parts of the resolution and stress the urgency and dire matter of the resolution.” 

Adam’s then opened the floor to an activity to get the participants involved and to practice the skills she went over. Students researched the topic of sustainable energy in small island developing states to debate whether or not to build a dam to provide hydroelectric power to communities. The participants returned from research and engaged in a small impromptu debate, where the participants displayed their skills of answering POI’s and diverting when necessary. 

In a short 45 minute session Lamya Adam was able to debunk negative connotations of replying in note form. She gave an introduction to how to be properly prepared for an MUN conference and engaged her participants in an activity where students were able to display their newly learned knowledge. Her session balanced worries of many newcomers to the MUN world with helpful tips for seasoned MUN delegates to continue to grow their toolkit. 

In short, Lamya Adam demonstrated skills, shared tips, and explained what it takes to be a successful delegate and how to get there. And her story from being a reluctant delegate to giving her own presentation to inspire new MUNers shows the exact spirit of the Global Summit.

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By Hallie Williams

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Albert Olivia: Creating Equality in Opportunity

As the first day of the Global Summit finally arrived, many professionals from various fields of work prepared presentations to speak on their passions and educate the youth of the MUN program. Albert Olivia, the Impact Summit Director, has the responsibility of managing events and projects in more than 25 countries around the world. He also works with over 5,000 people in order to educate students about the SDGs. Olivia works through social media to connect with others and implement the SDGs on various online campaigns. He has travelled to many countries such as Qatar, Israel, and the UK for MUN conferences and has also attended more than 17 United Nations conferences both as a delegate and chair. 

Olivia started his presentation by introducing himself and showing a slide show representing multiple social projects he has worked on. It was clear from the beginning that he was very passionate about including all groups in his fight for social equality. However, he went on to say, “We are not equal. There will always be inequalities in our world as it is simply human nature.” He directed this statement into a question that he asked his audience to think about; “Instead of asking how can we stop inequality, ask how can we slow down the increasing trend of inequality”. From there, Olivia began to narrow down the topic of equal opportunity to just the aspect of wealth. While doing so, he directed the delegate’s attention to a survey of yes and no questions about traveling to different countries for MUN conferences. One of those questions was “Have you ever attended a conference in a more economically developed country?” (a MEDC) and the response was 56% of the audience said yes, while 43% said no. The next question on the survey was “Have you ever attended a conference in a less economically developed country?” (a LEDC) and this response was much different as only 23% of the delegates said yes and 77% said no. He used this data to prove his idea that equal opportunity does not currently exist because LEDCs do not have the wealth to provide the same quality facilities as the MEDCs, therefore, more people attend conferences in the countries that are more economically developed. 

Olivia stated that the way to begin change and progress in countries that are economically underdeveloped is to start analyzing the “why’s” and ask more questions. For example, he engaged his audience by asking why larger events such as football or soccer games don’t take place in less wealthy countries. When asked how this would help develop a country economically, he replied that it would create a chain reaction because people will begin to see that it is not only possible, but also makes a change by bringing attention to the country and its people. Another example Olivia used was questioning distribution of technology. He stated that many schools in LEDCs do not have access to the same technology that other countries around the world have available to them. This again, causes a large inequality in opportunity as technology is becoming a major part of the education system more and more each day. Olivia expressed to the audience his plan to create a database in Africa that connects different schools to ensure more opportunities. For example, exchange programs and studies abroad, as these things are undoubtedly more accessible to MEDCs that have technology available in their educational systems. 

In conclusion, Albert Olivia shared insightful information to help broaden the mindset of what equal opportunity looks like, and different ways to achieve it. The delegates who attended this presentation were engaged and interested in the session and seemed to enjoy the experience, which ultimately, is the main goal of the Global Summit!

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By Audrey Pinson

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Global Summit Session 1: Activism and Sustainability

Imagine a world, where everyone on this planet works for the betterment of the community and supports each other especially like in these trying times. To fulfill this dream, Activism and Sustainability would play a major role; and helping all to achieve activism and sustainability comfortably, was the main goal of the MUN IMPACT Global summit Session 1 held by Mysoon Hussein – a rising senior from Saudi Arabia, who has been a part of MUN clubs for more than 5 yrs, and has the experience of being a Secretary-General, and a President for MUN conferences and clubs. She is also a co-founder of a non-profit organization. So let us learn more about what was discussed in the workshop.

Maria Ramos states:           

“It’s about collaborating and putting the skills from different sectors together to find solutions that can create a more sustainable world”


Taking this further, the presenter discussed sustainability, describing it as, ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs’.
These points were discussed in the workshop with full enthusiasm:
i) Although Sustainability was considered as a luxury years ago, yet it’s now not just an option but an expectation from all of us to improve the world.
ii) Gen Z has tremendous opportunities due to easy accessibility to the internet and other resources and it is already changing the world with its passion (to bring positive changes) and Knowledge.

The participants were encouraged to see the examples of few successful youth leaders working for the sustainability of the world like Jamie Margolin, Autumn Peltier, etc.
It also included clarifying the doubts or obstacles that participants would be facing while participating in  Activism and provided effective solutions such as:
a) Having extreme passion about the goal of development
b) At least, starting something as it is never too late.
c) Looking at the people who have already done it.

Some opportunities were discussed which could help students to get sustainability even from their home, like:
i) Educating yourself and others,
ii) Volunteering online,
iii) Starting your own initiative,
Then it was time for the Implementable action plan that includes powerful solutions like:
a) Creating awareness campaigns for Sustainable Development goals,
b) Online Volunteering by doing : Translation / Tutoring / Innovation / Transcription,
c)Donating/hosting food drives,
d) Advocating for policy change.
The presenter also provided some resources to join some pre-existing initiatives like ‘Bit by BIt’,
‘Teach SDGs’, ‘SDG clubs’, etc.
All these contents were extremely significant as activism and sustainability  is need of hour and this workshop provided the ways by which each individual can engage himself for a good cause.


I also got a chance to interview the presenter  (Maysoon Hussein). The following are the questions answered in the interview.

Q. How and why did you get involved in the Global Summit? And what are your thoughts on it?
– I participated in many other activities by MUN IMPACT, and knowing about the summit, I really wanted to be a part of it. My presentation went really well and the participants were really great. It was a nice experience being in this wonderful community.

Q. What were your expectations from the participants now (after the summit)?
– I want the participants to implement the learnings to become a more responsible citizen, and may be coordinate with me too.

Q.Why did you choose to talk about Sustainability?
– Because l am passionate about the SDGs (they are the blueprints of our future)  and l keep trying to promote them in each of my campaigns.

Q. How would you like your work to inspire others?
– I want others not to get discouraged by looking at the greater work by someone but, l want to show that anyone with passion and hardwork can achieve great success!

Q. Any tips on time management between Volunteering and studies?
– Have a Todo-list or google calendar can simply work according to the timetable that gives proper  weightage to both studies and volunteering work .

Q. A three-step framework for inducing Activism in all?
– 1) Educating yourself about what is happening around you and getting passionate about               something that you want to take part in.
2) Make a plan for reaching out people from all around the world (Networking- via social media)
3)Working with a community of people who can help you to spread your activism

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By Vedant Kulkarni

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The Global Summit: Summary of Day 1

The Global Summit, a three day encapsulation of MUN Impact, the first of its kind, kickstarted at 13:00 UTC on July 21, 2020. The three day conference began with an Opening session, followed by 4 sessions where 20 different presenters gave workshops, and concluded with a social hour, where participants were able to socialize with new peers. 

Day 1 certainly lived up to the anticipation. From the minute the Opening session began with inspiring words from  Ms Martin, the Executive Director of MUN Impact and Mr. Will kennedy, Senior Programme Officer, UN Office for Partnerships, United Nations to the final minutes of the last session of the day, the youth of the world were connected, enlightened, engaged, and providing hope for the future of our planet. 

The Opening Plenary was complex and multifaceted, getting off to a seamless start, that provided an inclusive and exciting way to start the conference. Some of the highlights of the opening session included Will Kennedy articulating how powerful youth can be, press teams multiple and beautifully crafted videos, and Ms. Michèle Coninsx’s talk, the distinguished plenary speaker, on terrorism. During this session there was a brief Q&A with Ms. Coninsx as well as a short talk from Mr. Alejandro Borja, the CEO and Founder of YudLeads. The session came to an end with the inaugural gavel and a few announcements for the participants. 

Ahead of the conference participants chose which sessions they would like to attend, and session 1 sure made it hard to pick right from the get go which to attend. Albert Olivia presented on  Leading Towards Equality in Opportunity. Andrew Hudson presented on SDG 14: Challenges, Opportunities and UNDP Response, Maysoon Hussein workshop was on Securing Sustainability from Home, and Sebastián Pilla had a spanish session on Los ODS como eje en la gestión del Consejo Consultivo de Jóvenes de Santa Cruz – Galápagos. 

Session 2 brought equally interesting workshops from Lamya Adam, a panel of Zoey Fisher, Jaideep Singh, Farihah Ahmed, and Ivan Wei  giving the behind the scenes of the inner workings of the summit, a presentation from Sara Montes, Catalina Viteri y Daniela Calderón, as well as one from Victoria Basma. 

The day continued during session 3 where Ambassador Eric Robson talked about The SDGs Innovation Challenge, Sophia Kianni presented on Inside the Youth Climate Movement, Dr. Anthony Speca gave a workshop on Polar Aspect: Model Arctic Council and Sustainable Development, Ella Sobhani & Vivian Wu joined forces to talk about Project Aquascope- Environmental Sustainability, STEM and Youth Entrepreneurship, while Alejandro Borja, Antonella Cicconi and Camila Cabrera shared how they made MUN en Casa a reality.  

Session 4 brought Walter Simonsen presenting on How MUN Impacted My Future as a Musician and Educator, Jordan Hattar who shared his Recipe for Success, Arya Kanade who shared about Ladies First, a joint presentation from Tara Tafreshi, Hannah Sparrock, Younglin Cho on Problems & Solutions Regarding Food Waste & Food Choices, and a presentation from Javier Rincón. 

The day came to a close with a social hour with much talk of the exciting start to the conference and equal amount of high hopes for the following two days. 

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By Hallie Williams

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Global Summit: A Look into the Plenary Session Team

By Ayomide Ajakaiye

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As MUN Impact’s first Global Summit draws near, the theme of global citizenship becomes more and more apparent. Being a global citizen is about recognizing all the different pieces that form the larger world around you. It is essential to remember that every person has the potential, no matter their expertise, to make an impact.

Despite their youth, Ananya Balakrishnan and Ananya Prasad, student leaders at  MUN@HOME and Jr. OMUN, help make an impact through their work as the Plenary Session Team of the Global Summit. They both share the responsibility of providing an introduction for the session each day, hosting keynote speakers for presentations, rehashing the events of previous sessions, and simultaneously setting the tone for what all the workshops will look like. Each session introduces keynote speakers such as the Assistant Secretary General of the Security Council and other guests as they enlighten participants about important issues that affect our global community.  “It’s almost like uniting communities to speak to a larger cause…I’m really excited to have that “forum for thinking,” Balakrishnan states. Both Prasad and Balikrishnan push for youth advocacy and awareness by embodying the values of MUN Impact.

As experienced MUN delegates themselves, both Balakrishnan and Prasad understand both the excitement and nervousness that surround conferences, but encourage participants to realize the importance of the summit. “Be confident with your own abilities…look at the bigger picture of what’s going on around you, what’s happening, and what you’re learning,” Balakrishnan advises upcoming participants. 

Both Prasad and Balakrishnan are thrilled to be serving as a part of the Plenary Session Team and have high hopes for the Global Summit. “It’s so easy to feel hopeless nowadays,” Prasad says, “I hope that we can actually show people that they can have an impact beyond just their communities.”  

Make sure to tune into the Plenary Team’s Presentation! Many people have different definitions of a global citizen, but for Prasad, “A global citizen is someone who remains actively involved in issues that not only impact them but issues that they have the privilege of not being affected by them.” Ultimately, the concept of the Global Summit unites people together in a time when the world may feel very separate in order to appreciate global citizenship and make a difference.

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An Insight into SDG 16 at the MUN Impact Global Summit

By Neha Varadharajan

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SDG 16 is focused on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing equal access to justice, and building inclusive institutions. It is immensely important to the well-being of people all over the world. Yet, if education and action isn’t created soon, this goal has little chance of being achieved in the coming years. As a result, several speakers and activists will be speaking topics like these in the upcoming MUN Impact Global Summit. We are pleased to host Gilberto Duarte and Menting Li who will be speaking specifically about Goal 16 and its potentially tangible targets.

Gilberto Duarte is a Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) headquarters in Vienna, Austria. He joined UNODC in 2010 and currently leads the secondary level of the Education for Justice (E4J) initiative, which seeks to produce and disseminate education material on justice and rule of law issues. Previously, Gilberto Duarte worked at the UNODC Liaison and Partnership Office in Brazil, covering Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay in the areas of crime prevention, criminal justice, human rights and international cooperation. At UNODC, he has had extensive experience in organizing training for law enforcement and other criminal justice actors, such as police, prosecutors, public defenders and judges, as well as public policy and legislative reform and guest lectures in universities. Gilberto has a Master’s degree in International Relations, with a focus on International Law. He will be discussing Goal 16 and how it supports progress in other parts of the Global Agenda in his workshop. An informative discussion is due! Join Mr. Duarte as he imparts information about this goal.

Specialized in international affairs and United Nations programs, skilled in communications and media, and fluent in English, French and Chinese, Mengting Li is currently serving as Associate Public Information Officer at UNODC. In prior years, she has worked with several other UN entities on communications, external relations, media partnership, resource mobilization, and involved in various UN-mandated thematic areas, including international human rights, labor rights, child protection, cyber-security, gender equality, education, migration, etc. Li’s workshop–#Act4RuleofLaw with social media and other communication tools–focuses on the exchange between students and the organization, to not only inform but also listen to the opinions of young people; to provide them with guidance and encourage their participation in contributing to the work of the United Nations on the rule of law and justice through online media and other tools. We are looking forward to a great discussion as an experienced personality like her imparts action for the newest generation.

Justice and equality can only persevere in the hands of educated generations with new initiatives and opportunities. This can lead to real change. Register for the MUN Impact Global Summit by July 14 and sign up for these insightful SDG-16 workshops. They are absolutely free of cost as an initiative to provide meaningful opportunities to as many students as possible.

For more details please refer to the Conference Handbook provided on the website for schedule info.

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Glimpse into the Global Summit: Connecting MUN to the UN

By Shambhawi Sahoo

There’s a lot brewing behind the scenes at MUN Impact as the Global Summit approaches. Here’s a glimpse at what’s cooking.

Model United Nations has consistently empowered young minds to become more responsible global citizens and approach problems with a wider focus. It acts as a connection between the youth and the United Nations. MUN gives them a small taste of diplomacy, global-thinking, and truly helping people all over the world. Student delegates often dream of what it’s really like to work for the actual UN.

Mr. Brenden Varma will be sharing with us his life at the REAL UN. On staff since 2002, Mr. Varma currently works in the Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications. The focus of his presentation will be about how the UN coordinates with MUN programs and how MUN debates differ from those which take place in the UN. All questions about the UN will be answered by him in this presentation on July 23rd from 15:00 to 15:45 UTC. 

Mr. Kudzai Mukaratirwa, who currently works as a consultant for the UNODC Regional Office for East Africa Youth Programme will give us a glimpse into his journey from a high school Model UN delegate to working in the UN. Mr. Mukaratirwa will be sharing some prized lessons, illuminating participants as to how they can make the most of their lives. “It is like a ‘living library’ workshop, except YOU are the author,” he says. He will be speaking on 22nd July from 12:00 to 12:45 UTC.

Watch these presentations at our Global Summit to understand the relationship between MUN and the UN, and the UN’s role in bringing universal growth while empowering the young leaders. In addition, the summit will be offering workshops on a wide range of topics, so don’t forget to register!

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A Sneak Peek into the Global Summit: The Fight Against Climate Change

Everyone in the MUN Impact community is preparing in anticipation of our first ever Global Summit. We can’t wait to hear from MUN-ners, students, entrepreneurs, and esteemed speakers from the UN and around the world. Within this enormous breadth of topics and knowledge, several of our speakers will be presenting on climate change (SDG 13).

Scientists have drawn a correlation between loss in biodiversity and the global progression of climate change. They predict that, if left unchecked, global warming will have devastating consequences. Dr. Charles McNeill, a leader in the UN’s work in environmental management for development, climate change, and biodiversity will be presenting at the Summit; he’ll go over aspects such as discovering the value of biodiversity, protecting forests with the help of indigenous peoples, and will present stories from working with pioneering anthropologist Jane Goodall and renown actor Alec Baldwin.

Dr. McNeill will be speaking on Wednesday, July 22nd (Session 11) at 17:00-17:45 UTC.

But in addition to Dr. McNeill, several students will also be talking about fighting climate change. High school students Faaris Zuberi and Dylan Safai have participated in MUN and have volunteered with non-profits. Both have grown interested in using MUN as a vehicle for real-world action.  

With their presentation, they hope to teach young people just how crucial the international response to climate change is. They plan on providing viewers with tips and templates by which young people can use the SDGs to foster effective grassroots change. Although, they admit, that the enormity of climate change makes it a daunting task to combat, it is necessary and quite easy to start making change. 

Faaris and Dylan will be speaking on Wednesday, July 22nd (Session 9) at 15:00-15:45 UTC.

Tune in to both presentations to learn more about how you can combat climate change. Ultimately, the Summit is a place where the ideas of students and UN experts converge. It is a platform that connects youth all over the world to the United Nations, and calls us to action to fight for the SDGs.

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Introducing MUN Impact’s Global Summit: Participate, Learn and Get Inspired

By Leticia L. and William W.

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On July 21, MUN Impact will be hosting it’s first Global Summit. This online gathering will host workshops led by a diverse cast, ranging from educators and students to diplomats and UN officials. The summit will last three days, from July 21-23 and is completely free of charge. It will be open to all middle school and high school students internationally and will focus on the theme: Uniting the world through the SDGs. 

The summit aims to raise awareness of the SDGs, teach new and experienced MUN delegates tips and tricks for future debates, and inspire the leaders of tomorrow. Some of the confirmed speakers include Andrew Hudson (the current Head of the UNDP Water & Ocean Governance Programme), Esra Sergi Bertani (Associate Public Information Officer at the United Nations), Sam Altman (MUN alum and co-founder of OpenAi in Silicon Valley) and Evan Wesley (Vice President for Student Activation at Thirst Project). Alongside these speakers, the summit is due to host a variety of students presenting talks and workshops on a variety of topics such as ‘Addressing Gender Inequalities Within MUN’ and ‘World War 3: The Fight against Climate Change’, and in an aim to make workshops as accessible as possible, live Spanish interpretation will be available for select sessions. 

One of the most notable presenters will be Dr. Charles McNeil, a senior advisor of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). He was responsible for organizing the forest section of the UN Secretary General’s “Climate Summit” on September 23, 2014 and holds a PhD in Genetics from UC Davis. His contributions to environmental and development issues are distinctly significant to the summit, considering the active need of action in this department from future generations. His participation will grant students the opportunity to hear from an expert in the area. 

When asked about the summit, Ms. Lisa Martin (Executive Director of MUN Impact), told me, “The Global Summit allows us to bring together students, professionals and UN officials to hold the conversations and to share information that is the underpinning of active global citizenship. As the world tries to slow the spread of Covid-19 while protests erupt across countries, there needs to be more active engagement in our communities around these pressing issues amongst the backdrop of their global scope. 

In addition to attending workshops led by specialists and learning more about the SDGs and their impact, students will also be given the tools and opportunities to create and plan their own initiatives. For more updates regarding the summit, please follow @mun_impact on Instagram. You can register by opening this page and clicking on the “Register Now!” button.

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StARS Visits MUN@Home: Stories about Refugee Journeys, Education, and Integration

Imagine stepping into a new country. No family, no friends, no familiarity. It’s as though you’ve entered a maze with all its twists and turns and dead-ends. But with some assistance — with someone who knows the maze — you might be able to find your way out. Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) has acted as this guide for refugees in Egypt since 1979. Their vision is to create “a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for refugees in which they can exercise their rights, pursue their aspirations, and live in dignity.”

On June 24th, many MUN@Home participants, who are currently learning about the UNHCR and refugees, tuned in to listen to the Youth Advisory Board from StARS. They heard first-hand experiences about the refugees from the Board, the mission of StARS, and the invaluable work they are doing in Egypt.

Their vision is carried out through client-centered programs which provide financial, technical, legal, and educational aid to refugees, with the ultimate goal of re-integration into society. On their own, this is an utterly unreachable goal for displaced persons. Studies reveal that only 1 in 300,000 refugees globally receive educational opportunities; for many, this means the inability to learn, integrate into society, and live a normal life. However, the Youth Advisory Board from StARS is determined to prevent this unfortunate fate.

All of the Advisory Board members, refugees themselves, migrated from countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. “My only goal was to cross the Mediterranean, not education,” says member Adulkarim Suliman. Suliman’s honest statement reveals the plight of the refugee’s journey. The gravity and danger of their situation is so great that jobs and schooling are far-off and unthinkable notions. The only thing that matters is escape. 

But even on top of their long and treacherous voyages, they continued to face issues like proper documentation and schooling. “It’s not easy to go for an education in Egypt,” Suliman confesses. This is coupled with the barrier of language, alienation of culture, and the trauma of their journey, posing an almost insurmountable wall of obstacles.

In response, StARS provides psychological aid and educational opportunities for both youth (with special recognition to unaccompanied children) and adults, including a six month to one year program for students teaching English and Arabic. Member Yasin, admits that, “the greatest challenge faced by the refugees is language.” When this obstacle is eventually overcome, many refugees must go on to pursue job opportunities, which in some ways present even more issues. The job market is already flooded by Egypt’s existing population, forcing displaced persons into domestic or custodial occupations. But even at this stage, StARS provides additional training and money for refugees to start their own programs. With this model of “supporting refugees by refugees” as stated by Member Birhanu Worku Nisrra, StARS has built a bridge between the mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the actual people they serve.

Despite the issues under-funding poses and the new challenges Covid-19 has brought about, StARS remains optimistic and determined to help more refugees integrate into Egypt.

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Contributions: Ayomide Ajakaiye, Vinuth Ratnayake, Jonathan Sunkari

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Andy Newman’s Sabbatical Journey

Captured by Newman himself, from his blog “Where’s Newmo”, is an image  from his journey in the Pacific Ocean. Here, he’s enjoying a break from  studying marine life and microplastics as he jumps into the water to take a swim! 

By Audrey Pinson

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Many from the MUN Impact community know that Andy Newman has been a tremendous influence on the program for the past three years, as an Executive Board Member and  Representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications. However, he is also well known by the John Burroughs School community for being an amazing Fine Arts teacher. He has made many connections with students through his career of teaching photography, becoming Director of Student Activities and Government, being the school photographer, directing the school’s MUN program, and helping advise groups of students during their time at Burroughs. He has been a part of the school’s faculty for over 27 years and is significantly appreciated and respected by all those who come into contact with him. 

For about a year, Newman has been on sabbatical with the intention of pursuing his passion for the MUN program. He wanted to accomplish seeing different programs in action and finding new styles of MUN in terms of conferences, debates and teaching methods that he could introduce to MUN Impact and the program at John Burroughs. To achieve this, Newman decided to travel the world to gain first hand experiences that would help him find what he was looking for. When asked how his journey began, he exclaimed, “I started on a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean studying microplastics”. On that boat, Newman travelled for three weeks from Hawaii to Canada and dug deep into SDGs 14: Life Below Water, and 14.1: Marine Pollution, as a way to show his passion for ocean life and reducing plastics. He explained how the experience on the boat changed his personal behavior concerning ways to reduce plastic waste. He attended multiple conferences and spoke about marine life, the impact of plastics, and other environmental issues. All over the world, he has presented about microplastics, not only in terms of what he saw in the Pacific Ocean, but solutions to these problems as well. 

Over the course of his sabbatical, Newman travelled extensively to almost 30 different countries consisting of over 80 flights- a total of eight times around the world. He described how the three week boating trip from Hawaii to Canada was impactful to him because he spent that time with the same eight people and got to know all of them very well. Not only that, but they were responsible for cooking, cleaning, and sailing the boat. He later went on to continue his travels to Australia to work on marine conservation and coral restoration. Finally, he described the tour for MUN where Newman travelled to South Africa, India, Singapore, Panama City, the UK, Austria, and many other places around the world. He attended conferences, observing different styles of the program and meeting various MUN leaders. He said the most interesting conference he went to was in Cairo, Egypt because the entire event was turned over to the students to present and speak in front of a 500 person audience. While explaining how he met so many different people and immersed himself in other cultures, he stated, “I went to places where the people were so beautiful, just so friendly. The hospitality in some of these Muslium countries was incredible… they’re just the most wonderful, wonderful people.” While on these adventures, Newman not only went to conferences, studied different people and cultures, and went sightseeing, but he was busy with multiple photography projects as well. One of his most popular projects is called “Where’s Newmo”. It documents every place he has been to, all the research he’s done, and the pictures he’s taken. He also has a portrait series that captures the faces of leaders of various MUN conferences around the world and describes their stories of how they got to the places they are now. In addition to portraying the imagery of these leaders, Newman asked them to pick their favorite SDG and explain why it was important to them. By gathering many personal stories that directly related to the struggles of each of their countries, he was able to express how it affected them.

Although a large portion of this time was for him to travel, the outbreak of Covid-19 put a halt to his adventures. He explained how his excursions officially ended in New York city, only a couple days before the lockdowns were set in place. All of the trips he had planned for the summer to continue his work with MUN, including travels to Kyoto Japan, Lisbon Portugal, and Eswatini in South Africa have been cancelled. However, as his travels have ceased, Newman is still continuing with his sabbatical and is busier than ever, working almost 14 hour days with MUN Impact and getting the opportunity to speak with students from over 50 countries around the world. While everything stopped abruptly, it wasn’t too difficult shifting into remote learning as there was a global leadership team already in place who stepped into leading the MUN at Home program. It has only expanded from there, involving students from many different countries who are able to develop skills and obtain knowledge about MUN and the SDGs. 

As Newman continues with his sabbatical, he is finding new ways to stay connected with the MUN program and pursue his passion for the SDGs, whether that looks like a zoom conference, or simply sitting in on online debates and staying in contact with students. He has accomplished so much over the past year and has built strong relationships with people all over the world. His global excursions have not only left an impact on him in his professional life, but in his personal life as well. He hopes to implement  the things he learned on his journey into his own life and the MUN community.

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A Look Into the SDG Logo Design Process with Natabara Rollosson

By Sarah Cao

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Natabara Rollosson, a name that all of us should know by now, has a diverse background, having worked for over seven different UN Agencies. Not only has he helped produce and direct an important and thought-provoking documentary such as Challenging Possibility (2011), he has also appeared in the documentary We Rise Up (2019). He is also the co-founder of Comics Uniting Nations, which is “a partnership of UNICEF, PCI Media, World’s Largest Lesson, PVBLIC Foundation and Reading with Pictures, to make the Sustainable Development Goals accessible to the citizens of the world through comics.” Rollosson’s role with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN has extended past just Comics Uniting Nations, as he coordinated logistics for the High-Level Panel that developed the blueprint for the SDGs. He also was a member of the advisory committee that gave feedback on how to visually bring the SDGs to life. 

Most of us have already seen the 17 SDGs and recognize the importance of them, as in Rollosson’s words, “The SDGs are the ultimate “to-do list” for the planet. They bring people together around common goals, giving people around the world a common language and set of targets and measurements.” These goals truly determine the future of the world and they highlight what we should all be fighting towards, with issues such as climate change, education, equality, and sanitation being amplified now more than ever. However, the SDGs are almost unrecognizable without the logos that come with them, and a lot of thought, creativity, and time went into designing them. 

Jacob Trollbäck at an SDG design meeting.

An early version of the SDG Logo Grid

With famous designer Jakob Trollbäck leading the SDG logo design team, the advisory committee gave him feedback at different stages of the design. The goals had been previously established, but they needed visual icons to go with them. According to Rollosson, the challenge was “to bring them visually to life and simplify them in the process.” For example, he recalls an early stage of the design “where the color-scheme was heavy on the orange, yellow, and reds (see image 3), so [he] requested to see more deeper blues and greens.” Throughout the entire design process, Rollosson cited that one of the logos that was challenging to design was SDG 4 QUALITY EDUCATION, as it originally had a graduation cap (see image 3), but the advisory committee pointed out that “in many places in the world graduation was either a luxury or not even possible.” With that feedback, Trollbäck improved upon the design, and the cap was replaced with a notebook and pencil, “the common and unifying tools of all students around the world.” Through specific design challenges like this, the team gathered together and collaboratively created the beautiful SDG logos we see today. Rollosson cited that he “felt like [he] was witnessing history, and it only became more apparent as [he] saw the SDGs spread in awareness, influence, and inspiration around the world.”

For the drafting of the original documentation of Sustainable Development Goals, getting global agreement was a difficult job to undertake. Though it allowed for more voices to shine through than ever before since the drafting process was very open and inclusive, Rollosson stated that “there were at least 3 years of drafting discussions that reached out for input not only from governments but also civil societies as well as individual citizens through The World We Want survey/campaign.” Once the SDGs were nearing adoption, Trollbäck —with the guidance of the design advisory committee— spent months creating, discussing and perfecting the visual logos, and it is clear that the end product is an eye-catching yet simple design that should be recognized by everyone everywhere, but receiving the global attention the logos are worthy of has not been an easy task. 

So why do so many people still not know about the SDGs, even if they are extremely catchy and instantly understandable? Natabara Rollosson’s answer was this: “The United Nations has limited outreach capability, so it depends on the Member States, civil society, and even the broader global culture to spread the word about the SDGs… One of the reasons MUN Impact was created was to help get the word out to dynamic and engaged youth who could then spread the word and take action in their own communities.” As members of MUN, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are now in our hands, and it is our job to take apart, to tackle, and to plant the seed of these SDGs to firmly root them in our communities. 

This entire MUN Impact program is so special because it creates international leaders of the future with the SDGs as a blueprint, valuing what Rollosson says the world leaders need most: oneness. Rollosson sincerely believes that “the youth participating in MUN are growing into tomorrow’s leaders given their enthusiastic spirit of seeking solutions, keen interest in global affairs and their hearts of empathy — helping those who are less fortunate and raising the living experience of everyone.”

An early version of the SDG grid.

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Introducing MUN Impact Nigeria

By Audrey Pinson

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In a time where global crises are increasing and becoming more dangerous by the day, the youth of the world are taking a stand. While pushing through adversity, students and young leaders across the world are speaking out against the injustices of current issues. In Nigeria, many advocates are coming forward and speaking in support of the SDGs that focus on quality education, no hunger, affordable and clean energy, gender equality, wildlife trafficking, and clean water. 

I interviewed Ayotunde Aboderin, an inspiring, young teacher from Oyo State, Nigeria, whose goal is to introduce the SDGs and MUN to students and create a strong passion to better the world we live in. By sparking an interest in young, spirited people, he hopes to mold leaders that will help to make a difference. Over the past six months, Ayo has connected with over 200 teachers in Nigeria who are committed to enlightening students from ages 10-25 about MUN and the SDGs. In addition, 17 clubs in more than 17 schools have been created for teaching the youth of Nigeria.

Before founding MUN Impact Nigeria, Ayo had previously been interested in the United Nations and their work on the SDGs. While on Twitter, he came across some information about MUN Impact and it immediately grabbed his attention. He explored their website and discovered a common interest in the SDGs. He quickly discovered that MUN Impact is a program that is completely involved in the development goals, and he recollects, “I fell in love.” He wanted to find young, responsible people who could potentially become leaders, so he reached out to others who had similar visions and who were willing to help. Many of those were already volunteers for various SDG programs and as he involved others with a common passion, the movement began to grow.

Ayo has had many accomplishments thus far, however, he expressed that his greatest accomplishment is the fact that his movement has spread to many places he would not have expected. For example, the MUN program and teachings of the SDGs have been implemented in North-East Nigeria. He described a current issue where children are being recruited as fighters for terrorist groups in the North. He believes MUN Impact can change that and the introduction of leadership skills, decision making, and public speaking can help shape leaders in the North to stand up against challenges like these. Most recently, students have also prepared research for debates concerning SDG 15.7: Combating wildlife trafficking and poaching, which was held in February. 

MUN Impact and the Sustainable Development Goals have helped the youth in Nigeria feel that they can positively impact their world and spread the passion for creating change. When asked a question about how young leaders in his town are liking the experience, Ayo replied:

“They can make an impact and promote the SDGs. To them, there’s nothing better to do. They can help teach; influence their peers and people around them. So, it’s a fun experience for them to represent a country; defending it, and making policies that can support the SDGs.”

Ayo has strived towards his goals, molding leaders and effectuating change, and he has inspired many to do the same. 

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Why MUN@Home Matters

By Arushi Katyal

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When people ask me to introduce myself, I usually respond with a generic description of a 15 year old girl who goes to John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri. Quarantine has taught me that I am bad at baking, and an even worse hairdresser. Sure I have my own talents and hobbies, but deep down, I feel like I don’t have much to contribute to others around me. 

This is why I joined Model United Nations — because I knew my experiences would matter more if I was surrounded by diverse people with unique backgrounds. I was right. During my very first MUN@Home meeting, everyone began introducing themselves and where they were from. We sparked a dialogue about various issues in our countries, and I was amazed at everyone’s distinctive experiences. I soon understood that there wasn’t a single “generic” person at MUN@Home. 

In many cases, we’ve all experienced different and sometimes opposite facets of the same thing. For example, in my school, no one questions the value of feminism. Girls are encouraged to express themselves in any way that they want. And yet, in this MUN meeting there were girls who were struggling to convince their families of the importance of feminism, being labeled “anti-men.” In the second session, there were students from Nigeria speaking about the direct impact of poaching, women’s rights, and poverty on their day to day lives. You might think that you already understand these topics because you’ve digested facts about the amount of illegal poaching, or the wage differences between women and men; I used to think I knew a lot too. But what MUN@Home made me understand is that these issues cannot be truly represented by numbers, facts and statistics. When I listened to people’s struggles it felt so human to me. I could see the faces and experiences behind the injustices we’ve all heard about. 

The fact of the matter is that so many issues don’t truly affect us until we see those hurt by them. When I heard the ambassador speaking about women’s rights in India, or the Nigerian children speaking about their situation, I was moved and felt more responsible for finding a solution. Luckily, my mentors had me covered. Each of us were assigned a cohort with mentors who would guide us through the process of making a resolution. They were inspiring and encouraging, despite me having asked some dumb questions in the beginning (and in the middle. And even towards the end). They were always supportive. They taught us effective research techniques, how to properly phrase clauses, how to create viable solutions and understand our country enough to incorporate its strengths into the resolution. 

The entire process of Model United Nations is refreshingly optimistic. Which surprises me, because given the current state of the world, the 100+ of us at the last Zoom meeting had much to complain about. Instead, everyone had a drive to distance themselves from this rhetoric and focus on ways they could personally make a difference. I was impressed by the specific, nuanced questions that were asked about ways to support women’s rights or stop poaching. I could tell that whoever was asking them truly wanted to make a difference in their community. If I had to choose a favorite part of MUN, this drive and attitude would be it. Especially during these uncertain times, it feels like a breath of fresh air to be around people who want to find a solution to the bad news that has piled up around us. 

I think that a lot of our solutions are viable, and they give me insights on how I could help the people around me. It makes me feel less overwhelmed, because my generation has been told that it is our responsibility to stop Climate Change, malnourishment, disease and other issues. People tell us that we are all in the same boat and we must work together as a world to solve problems. I agree, and I think that this is a skill we should practice early on because our future depends on it. If we don’t find solutions together, we will feel distanced from the world’s problems and lose motivation. 

So, I encourage you to join us; familiarize yourself with the people in your boat. 

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The Unlikely Coincidence of a Global Pandemic

“Model United Nations challenges students to think critically about the world’s most pressing events. But MUN also pushes us to be ‘ahead of the game.’ It’s a think-tank that makes us anticipate issues we are bound to commonly face.”

By Francesca Poupel

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I attended my very first THIMUN Conference in 2017. After quiet introductions, the chair announced, “the first issue on our agenda is measures to reduce pandemics in a globalized world. Lobbying begins now.” I immediately rose and walked around hurriedly, quickly befriending the USA and Uzbekistan, and approaching other delegates. Momentum built as we exchanged clauses and created constructive dialogue. We questioned whether it was realistic to test customers before they entered a store, and fought through similar points of contention. However, the spirit of MUN, grounded in cooperation and compromise, allowed us to push past the opposition. We ultimately passed our resolutions with a clear majority.

Collaboration, compromise, mutual understanding are the foundation of the MUN experience. Model UN has taught me to look past the selfish goal of being the “winner,” but look instead for tangible, tactful solutions. True success comes not from the number of awards you gain, but from the number of times you’re able to overcome individual differences to improve the collective. 

Fast-forwarding three years later to our current COVID-19 crisis, our resolutions seem more relevant than ever. I distinctly remember conversing with other delegates during THIMUN; none of us perceived a global pandemic as remotely threatening. Still, our committee proposed interesting legislation, much of which is currently being implemented. 

In committee, we predicted that nations would have to drastically boost funding for medical personnel and equipment. We were spot on. Today, I see more people with masks than without, and the demand is only growing. However, we should have included ways for countries to independently produce medical supplies and decrease their reliance on other nations.

We also believed that communication about the pandemic would be key and emphasized the role of the media. Yet, I personally find the overload of information from today’s news sources exhausting. Although the intent of our clause was to spread awareness, the current diffusion of news is simply counterproductive and demoralizing. 

Our legislation emphasized airport-health-checks and international transparency. Yet little did we know that the pandemic would halt travel and keep us at home. And the dishonesty surrounding COVID-19 got us into this mess in the first place.

As young students who have never directly experienced anything like this, there are definitely aspects that we missed. Seeing firsthand the pitfalls of countries’ actions, I would’ve added that the World Health Organization should have evaluated the outbreak as soon as it began. I would have also urged governments to ensure a constant surplus of hospital beds and critical equipment to prevent the hospital overflow we are facing. 

We are in a chaotic and disruptive time. It seems as though the entire world has reached a standstill; schools are closed, companies are struggling, and people are living in constant fear. But I firmly believe that this is the biggest consequence of the pandemic. Fear holds us back and deceives us.

Power lies in our hands. Just as I learned in Model UN, we need to look past our presumptions, selfishness, and fears, and strive to better the collective. We must take precautions seriously (social distancing, wearing masks, etc.), and nations must evaluate the economic impact of their decisions.

It is only when we allow determination and solidarity to dictate our actions that the international community will get back on its feet, hopefully arising with a comprehensible vision and a solution to the pandemic. 

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A Trip to the Beach in Qatar

Students from Middle East International School decided to volunteer at a beach cleanup on December 9, 2019. The program was organized by the Doha Environment Actions Project and took place at As Salwa Beach in Qatar.

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Qatar is one of the most developed nations in the Middle Eastern region and classified by the UN as having a rate of high human development. Yet this drastic development has its costs. Underneath its enviable, beautiful exterior, the nation faces pressing environmental issues.

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Qatar is vulnerable to coastline pollution from marine debris due to its quick urbanization and economic growth. Various studies have been conducted to monitor coastline debris as well as micro-plastics in the ocean to protect marine life. One such study, by Qatar University Environmental Science Center (QU-ESC), identified the most common types and amounts of micro-plastics. They stated:

The impact of plastic pollution in the marine environment is of increasing global concern. As plastic is durable and degrades slowly in the environment, plastic debris is now widespread in the world’s oceans. Approximately eight million tons of plastic waste ends up in the oceans every year, and it is predicted that by the year 2050 the amount of plastic waste in the world’s oceans could exceed the amount of fish present, on a weight-to-weight basis.

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Several programs exist that enable communities in Qatar to help reduce pollution and prevent harm to marine life: the recurring Purple Beach Cleanup, Doha Bank’s beach cleanup events, AlMafjar beach cleanups, and many others initiated by schools and communities. 

In one such initiative, students from Middle East International School took a trip to the beach to help clean up.

During this experience, students got to see the dangers that threaten Marine life. There were immense amounts of trash carelessly thrown onto the ground and into the ocean. “It was overall a fun experience and an eye-opener to the issue of pollution that’s been affecting marine and plant life,” student-volunteer Lois Nojadera reflected,”it was shocking because of the amount of pollution we saw in the most unexpected areas. The deeper we went into the place, the more trash we saw and the bigger the chance of all the trash entering the ocean.”

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This initiative was primarily centered around SDGs 14 and 15: preserving and protecting life below water and on land. Middle East International School’s project and other similar initiatives are brain-stormed, created, and put into actions by communities of students and volunteers. It truly illustrates that students, MUN chapters, and communities all over the world can have a far-reaching and important impact. 

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Munabe School: Learning about Ecosystems by Cleaning up Waste

Over the last year, Munabe School, located in Bilbao, Spain, completed three river clean-ups, all while learning a great deal about the ecosystem. Subsequently, primary, middle and high school students compiled presentations about climate change, connecting their previous knowledge to what they learned through these clean-ups.

Munabe has been actively involved with promoting the SDG goals; they have successfully completed three MUN Impact activities since the start of last year, primarily concentrated around SDGs 13, 14 and 15:

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  1. First river clean up:

On Friday 22 of May 2019 Munabe School took on the river cleanup initiative which consisted of the following:

Investigation

The investigation consisted of a process involving the pH level of the water, its fluidity, and its oxygen level to gain some intel on the current situation of the river. They discovered that summertime temperature was 12.5ºC. Reactive tests regarding pH levels came out to a level of 7.1, while dissolved oxygen-level tests were at high levels (10 mg/L). In order to see why this occurred they also checked the fluidity of the water, as the more it moves the more oxygen there is. It appeared quite high. In regard to life in the ecosystem, students found an array of invertebrates from efímera larva to trichoptera larvae–a good amount for such a small river.

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Cleanup

The cleanup consisted mostly of picking up all the plastic waste which ended up in the river via gusts of wind. They covered a portion of the river, land and surrounding banks that belonged to their school.

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