Learning the UN way

Peter Tanyanyiwa Cool Lifestyle Reporter
The Department of Public Information of the United Nations in Harare through the Zimbabwe United Nations Association this week conducted its first ever one-day students’ orientation for young representatives at the United Nations Information Centre.
The main objective of the students’ orientation was to familiarise them with the UN system. This is done to enable the students to participate in the schools UN model sessions as delegates in the UN assembly.

Model UN conferences give students first-hand knowledge of the work of the United Nations and help prepare tomorrow’s leaders to deal with global challenges.

Previous models in Zimbabwe were attended by members of the diplomatic corps, as well as military attaches, academics and experts. The students discussed topics such as the role of the Security Council, the Palestine question, DRC conflict and role of the Bretton Woods institutions.

The orientation programme was targeted at young representatives who are associated with the DPI. The programme will present the services and opportunities available to help utilise services and facilities offered by the DPI. During the Orientation Programme, student’s representatives were briefed on youth-related programmes at the UN and the co-operation between DPI and its NGOs, the Zimbabwe United Nations Association and the United Nations Information Centre and the work they do.
“I have learnt a lot of things that I never knew for example the fact that the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs ) were transformed to Sustainable Developmental Goals

(SDGs). I will play my part in support of Zimbabwe United Nations’ efforts to achieve the SDGs,” said Marilyn Tirivangani, a Budiriro 1 High Student.

In other countries, the DPI student representatives facilitate an in-house orientation programme each year, which aims to capacitate youths with the relevant information on the UN, the DPI and its mandate. Angela Wamambo and Isiah Dube are the student representatives of ZUNA.

“In this first ever DPI student’s orientation, I learned that nuclear power is dangerous if used for military purposes, but can also be used as a source of energy.

This is the sole reason why the International Atomic Agency is taking measures to curb the usage of nuclear for harmful purposes,” said Takudzwa Mawoza of Kambuzuma 2 High School.

ZUNA in collaboration with DPI young representatives, will host the first ever replica of this programme, usually done at a much larger scale at the UN headquarters in New York. ZUNA’s affiliation with high schools and universities with students from the age of 13 is a starting point as well as the backbone and core of all youth wing projects.