UKZN Holds its First Model UN Simulation

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On 21 October 2023, UKZN held its first ever Model United Nations simulation at the UNITE conference centre on the Howard College campus.

The event was hosted by the UKZN Debating Union under the leadership of Mr Sthembiso Mathenjwa, third-year Medical student, and co-ordinated by Mr Leyton Chetty, fourth-year Medical student. 

Model United Nations (MUN) simulations are popular exercises for those interested in learning more about the United Nations (UN). Hundreds of thousands of students worldwide participate every year in MUN at all educational levels - from primary school to university. Many of today’s leaders in law, government, business and the arts participated in MUN as students. 

When the UKZN Debating Union embarked on this challenge, the aim was to hold the biggest MUN ever held in KwaZulu-Natal - and their goal was accomplished. The event hosted 35 high school teams from across the province. Schools who were unable to pay the delegation fee were awarded fee exemptions and their transport to the event was subsidised to ensure that no student was left behind. 

Delegates embarked on the MUN Refugee Challenge, held by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This is a UN simulation that focuses on the issue of refugees and asylum seekers, and countries who are affected by this issue. The challenge is designed to foster a greater understanding of the refugee and asylum seeker population and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these individuals. 

The students met to discuss the motion of “The Global Protection and Advocacy of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, specifically women and children” under the committee of the UN Human Rights Council. The resolution that the simulated committee adopted will be sent to the office of the UNHCR in Geneva, Switzerland. This is the only Model UN of this magnitude in South Africa which has taken up the challenge, and hence this meeting showcased the greater perspective of the country’s youth. 

During the conference, students put their best foot forward. The event features passionate speeches about the food insecurity crisis, sexual assault victims in refugee camps, climate change, and the need for humanitarian aid, to name a few. 

Students surpassed all expectations, with awards for Best Delegations, Best Speakers, Most Outstanding Delegates, Best Position Paper and Honourable Mentions awarded on the day. 

A debt of gratitude is owed to Ms Jaydene Padayachee, Mr Nathan Metedad, Mr Vukile Nkwanyana, Ms Phathiswa Gxekwa, Mr Luyanda Radebe, Mr Thabang Mlotshwa and Mr Lungelo Mbili for their assistance in ensuring that students were safe, fed and comfortable for the duration of the conference. 

‘A massive thank you is also owed to our volunteer photographer, Akhil Kasiram for his high quality of work. Our Dias (the judges and UN Model facilitators) included Mr Hayden Gounder (BSc Civil Eng), Mr Mohamed Suleman (MBChB), Ms Gabriella Naidoo (MBChB) and Ms Nothando Khuzwayo (Master’s in Agricultural Science at the University of Zululand) selected meticulously from applications across the province. Thank you for your expertise and guidance. 

‘The Debating Union cannot express enough how grateful we are for the undeserved kindness we were shown during this process. We were graciously assisted by School of Clinical Medicine by Mrs Khanyile, our School’s Operations Manager and Ms Zinhle Khwela. We would like to extend our immense gratitude to our sponsors, Professor Veena Singaram, the Public Health Department and Dr R Bhoola. We would also like to thank Mr Peyton Ramnath (Honours Computer Science) and his friends and family for their assistance. Ms Anusha Singh (Public Health administrator) and Mr Leandharen Thaver (venue administrator) were also key contributors to the high calibre of the event. All these individuals made this event a resounding success and we could not have made it so without them. Thank you for trusting us to take on this event, and we hope we have made you proud,’ said Chetty. 

This event is one of many that the UKZN Debating Union fulfils to bring honour to the UKZN banner and empower young people from across our province to recognize their potential. The next event is scheduled for early December. ‘We are looking forward to meeting more brilliant young people once again,’ added Chetty. 

Words: Leyton Chetty  

Photograph: Suppled