Students debate on post-COVID economic revival at ISBF's 7th Model United Nations Conference

Held virtually for the very first time, the seventh edition of the ISBF Model United Nations (MUN) Conference was heavily dominated by debates and deliberations on post-COVID-19 economic revival. The two-day conference was held on the third weekend of November 2020 and was attended by over 100 student delegates, representing eight premier higher educational institutions from across the country including ISBF, the host institution for the event and an affiliate teaching centre of the University of London.

ISBF MUN is an annual students conference that simulates the working of the United Nations (UN), to raise student awareness and knowledge towards pressing issues of international importance. An important part of ISBF’s co-curricular activities the MUN Conference prepares students to become real-world problem solvers by inculcating in them the leadership, research, writing, and public speaking skills.

Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala, clinched the coveted Best Delegation award, while the two-day programme saw stiff competition from other prominent institutions including Symbiosis Noida, MDI-Gurgaon, Ravenshaw University-Ahmedabad, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology-Pune, Delhi Technological University-Delhi and Jayshree Periwal High School-Jaipur.

Welcoming all the delegates during his inaugural address at the conference, Professor (Dr.) G.L. Tayal, Dean Academics at ISBF, noted, “Over the years, the ISBF MUN has steadily gained popularity as a unique platform for students to deliberate and debate upon the world’s most pressing problems and their likely solutions.” Calling the exercise as central to developing both articulation and listening skills essential for youth in contemporary times, Dr Tayal wished all participating delegates an enriching experience.

This year a total of six committees, representing various UN agencies like the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), UN Security Council (UNSC), Economic Commission on the Asia Pacific (UNESCAP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) were formed by the Executive Board of the ISBF MUN 2020, that saw students mock-represent 15+ countries. A mock Presidential Situation Room was also one of the committees formed, in an innovative variation this time around.

Chiraag Mehta, Associate Director, ISBF, who was also part of the Executive Board, commended the high quality of the debates, “it was heartening to see students so passionate about reviving the economy in a post COVID world and some of their suggestions and observations were really unique and practical, be it on reviving Tourism, Trade or Workplace. Their energy and positivity are really contagious and I congratulate them for presenting us with a high-quality debate.”

All participants received certificates, while four received Best Delegate Awards and three won High Commendations, along with attractive cash prizes.