Sophia College hosts Mumbai’s second National Model United Nations Conference. Komal Warriar reports.
The young crowd of Sophia College was buzzing with fervor on the day of their college event – Munsophical, on the theme ‘Youth for sustainable change’. The College’s International Relations Club took the initiative to start Munsophical last year. MUN stands for Model United Nations, which encourages students to interactively participate in discussions pertaining to global issues. The main aim is to create awareness and equip the world for a better tomorrow.
First year BMM student Mallika Redij, informed this reporter, “We wait for this event, since students gain insight in intellectual matters.” With the presence of students delegates from various colleges, the Guest of Honor Eva d’Ambrosio, Economic officer for US foreign services; Padma Shri Norma Alvares, social activist; Dr S R Ananda Amritmahal, Principal of Sophia College; the traditional ceremony of illuminating the lamp marked the commencement of the event.
After a brief speech by Tanya Singh, The Secretary General for Munsophical 2012, Dr Amritmahal took over the podium to leave the students, delegates and visitors with encouragement. “Munsophical has taken one step ahead this year. Our involvement in the international community with the Model United Nations have created a change in humanity for the better.” She ended her speech with few verses from Khalil Gibran’s poem, ‘Your children’.
Padma Shri Norma Alvares addressed the students of Munspohical by speaking on protection of nature and environment. A lawyer at the High Court and Supreme Court and a social activist, she has been strongly fighting for environmental issues. She expresses, “In today’s times, classroom studies are thoroughly based on textbooks, the matter in which is considered as teh Gospel truth. Its time to rise and take a call for those issues that sequentially hinder the growth of the world and protection of environment is one of those issues.”
Eva d’Ambrosio is an Economic Officer for the US Foreign Services and has been in India since the last year. After working with different parts of the world she feels India is a wonderful country and the issues prevailing within this country can be battled by the youth effortlessly.
After the opening ceremony, the various sessions begin with their agendas. Students addressing these agendas are designated as Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson, Director, Rapporteur and Assistant Rapporteur. The council members preside these interactive sessions. The Security Council, Human Rights Council, Economic and Social Council and United Nations Environment programme conduct these sessions with the delegates from other colleges. The delegates are provided with the study material for the same. Each delegate represents a particular country and discusses issues of national concern. These sessions are in continuation for all three days of the event.
The other speakers for the event are Azadeh Pourzand of Gateway House. Shobhna Kumar of Queer Ink, a Skype session with Raja Kartikeya – Political Affairs officer in Afghanistan and Profesor Sudhakar, Wilson College.
