Model UN taps young talents in global affairs

The Model UN conference on sustainable development in 2023 has been launched in Shenzhen, and the sign-up window was opened to contestants on Monday.

The event is scheduled to be held from Jan 15 to 18 and will feature panel discussions on topics including the technology of sustainable energy and social development, natural environment protection and social development and food and water safety.

Co-organized by the Western Returned Scholars Foundation, the working committee of the partnership for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, TaKung Pao/Takungpao.com and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, the contest will be the first to introduce the theme of sustainable development to Model UN in China.

Model UN taps young talents in global affairs and encourages youth from all over the world to take part in global development and ecological construction.

Li Jun, vice chairman of the Western Returned Scholars Foundation, said during the launch ceremony Model UN aims to make youth aware of global affairs and train them academically and practically to learn about, change and contribute to the world.

Steven Liu, director of the working committee of the partnership for UN Sustainable Development Goals and chief representative of the United Nations Institute for Sustainability Management, said the event will help sharpen young contestants’ skill in negotiating and global language and open their vision to the international situation, thus training their ability to tackle international issues.

Lin Xuefei, director of TaKung Pao and president of Takungpao.com, said Shenzhen’s hosting of the event will provide more opportunities to young talents from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and promote educational exchanges within the area.

Ng Hok Ming Angus, president of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, said the contest will make the voice of China’s young generation heard and the association will commit to help students at Ivy League universities return to their home country and contribute to the GBA.

Student and initiator representatives attending the ceremony said they were eager to learn about the world and speak for their country.