Issues that confront can help us bond

Prak says that most of the participants are from developing countries, which makes it easier for her to understand the context. And she gained a variety of perspectives by looking at the international affairs and foreign policies of other countries by exchanging views with delegates from countries such as Indonesia, Japan and Singapore.

For 19-year-old Ouyang Lu, what she learned from the event's topics engendered a wider sense of humanity and boosted her desire to improve people's well-being in underdeveloped areas.

"When searching for background information on a topic, I was often shocked by the severity of turbulence, poverty and other problems faced in some places," says the French major.

"I hope I can work for an international organization to give these people a hand and encourage more young people to join me."

Ouyang's words echo the message sent by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to BIMUN. "To achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, we need a great global mobilization that goes beyond governments, bringing people together from all walks of life and showing that international cooperation can deliver for everyone," he says.

"The voices of women and girls, and of young people, are essential. That's why the Model United Nations is so important."