Neha Subba
Siliguri : April 3, 2023 : Third Salesian Model United Nations (SMUN) in Salesian College Siliguri is organised in association with Press Club Kolkata and UNICEF West Bengal from 3rd to 5th April 2023.
Chief Guest, Prof. Om Prakash Mishra, Vice Chancellor of North Bengal University declared open the International SMUN conference.
The event which features six committees, includes the United Nations Security Council, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, LOK SABHA (Parliament), UN System Chief Executive Board, International Press, and Economic and Social Council.
More than 200 students from some 25 educational institutions from different cities, including international students from Bangladesh and Nepal have registered for the event. Participants hail from from Sikkim, Siliguri, Guwahati, Bangalore, Kolkata and many other locations.
Chief of Staff Pratyusha Singha Roy says, “The conference intends to give young minds a forum to debate global issues and hone their public speaking, diplomacy, and negotiation abilities.”
Eminent personalities such as Mr. Snehasis Sur, President of Club Kolkata, Mr. Mohammad Mohiuddin, UNICEF Chief-West Bengal, accompanied by Soniya Menon, Social Behavioural Change (SBC) Specialist; Pragyan Bharati, Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Specialist; Paramita Neogi, Child Protection Specialist; and Suchorita Bardhan, Communication Specialist [Communication Advocacy Partnership] graced the inauguration ceremony.
Prof. Om Prakash Mishra while addressing the students, directed attention to the importance of being a permanent member of the Security Council. He encouraged Salesian College students to take Model United Nations movement to other colleges of North Bengal University.
The UNICEF representative for West Bengal, Mr. Mohammad Mohiuddin, spoke about the significance of youth involvement in global issues and hailed the Salesian Model UN conference as a fantastic venue for young people. Mr. Mohiuddin stated that Model United Nations would teach youth about numerous global concerns and allow them to contribute to society with what they have learnt.
Speaking about the event, Fr. Prof. George Thadathil, Rector and Principal of Salesian College said, “the response from other institutions are extremely encouraging and such an event is an excellent learning platform for the students.”
The Salesian Model United Nations conference promises to be an exciting and engaging event, with participants expected to engage in lively debates and discussions over the three days.