Model UN at KazNU: the youth discusses the global agenda

Al-Farabi KazNU, the leading university of the country, hosted an International Conference «New Silk Way Model UN» dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Independence of Kazakhstan and the World Day for Cultural Diversity. KazNU has successfully organized a large-scale event on the topic «National Initiatives to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals» with the support of the UN Information Center and the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty.
«New Silk Way Model UN» has been annually conducted since 2013. This is an international project for university and high school students who represent diplomats of different states and model the work of the United Nations in the form of debates. This year, more than 150 foreign students from all continents attended the event, as well as authoritative experts, representatives of the UN and diplomatic corps.
The project aims at involving young people in the global issues of the current time by forming a comprehensive picture of the world, developing analytical skills, research activities, and the ability to resolve conflicts through intercultural communication and building a dialogue.

While greeting all the participants, the Chairman of the Board-Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Zhanseit Tuymebayev highlighted that the official accession of Kazakhstan to the UN in 1992 was an important step towards the implementation of the state foreign policy objectives. Today, the country occupies a worthy place in the world community by putting forward significant international initiatives that have become part of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda.
In his greeting, he pointed out that: «This year our country is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the independence of Kazakhstan. KazNU as the Global Hub of the UN Academic Impact program on Sustainability actively participates in all areas of the UN activities and contributes to the development and promotion of its peace and development initiatives. The «New Silk Way Model UN» youth platform is the contribution of young people to building a sustainable and lasting world».

In his turn, the Representative of the UN Department of Global Communications in Kazakhstan, Vlastimil Samek, emphasized the role of KazNU in promoting the «New Silk Way Model UN» international youth communication platform. He also noted that students could have a great opportunity to discuss issues on the global agenda in a role-playing way, gain good experience in debating and developing collective solutions and through personal participation imitate the work of the UN. He conveyed his gratitude to the organizers and wished success to its participants.
For two days, young leaders and future policy makers from more than 20 countries discussed current issues of peacekeeping and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, measures to restore the global economy and help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, issues of ensuring cybersecurity, combating domestic violence and many others.