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2008CNMUN kicked off in Xiamen University

By Xing Yi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-11-15 11:23

The 5th China Model United Nations kicked off on Saturday in Xiamen University, Southeast China's Fujian.

Some 39 delegations from both Chinese and Australian universities were gathered for a collective resolution on given topics. UN secretary-general Ban-Ki-Moon sent a congratulatory message.

"We are meeting at a crucial time for international cooperation. We can all sense the perils of our current passage", Deputy Director of China United Nations Association Zhan Yunfei read Ban-Ki-Moon's message at the opening ceremony, referring to the financial crisis, food shortage and the skyrocketing energy prices.

The worsening of climate change and the outbreaks of natural disasters deteriorated the situation. Just as is said in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration: "Man has a fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well being", all these misfortunes caused severe violations of human rights. As the problem solvers, the 39 delegations are asked to simulate the Human Rights Council and work out a collective resolution on the given topics of human rights, environment and the responsibility to protect them.

In the opening ceremony, Zhu Chongshi, President of Xiamen University extended a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests and participants.

"I wish all the discussion we are having here will be kind of expertise to the real practice of the functions for UN. I'm confident that all the young students will contribute more to the world cooperation and peace. I wish all the UN topics can be pre-discussed in the MUN", President Zhu said.

Former UN under-secretary-general Chen Jian said:"China has constantly been a strong supporter of the UN. Modern UN provides a unique opportunity for students to lean the real practice of UN. It also provides young students a stage on which the come as strangers from all parts of the country, or even different parts of the world and departed as good friends used to work together.”

Participants will then move to the Lecture Hall and begin their MUN tour with the 1st plenary session.

All the delegations, including 38 from mainland China, and 1 from Australia, arrived at Xiamen University on Friday. They received a warm welcome by volunteers. Many delegates expressed that they were satisfied with the organizing work.

After winning the bid of sponsoring CNMUN2008, Xiamen University had long been anticipating for this grand event. Before Saturday's opening ceremony, as the prelude of the whole event, a series of lectures were addressed by ambassadors. 

Chen Jian, the former UN under-secretary-general, was invited to analyze the current international situation with professors and students at Xiamen University.

Model United Nations Conference was first held in Harvard University, with the original intention of fostering college students full of the spirit of multilateralism and international cooperation as well as to broaden their knowledge on different ethnics and culture. The former Secretary-General Kofi Annan once quoted that MUN is undertaking the responsibility of training future global leaders. In order to help Chinese youngsters fully attached to the outside world, the Chinese United Nations Association introduced MUN into china. Australian Human Right Commission support the event ever since.

The writer Xing Yi is the student of Xiamen University.