Kazan Model UN opened at KFU
The event takes up 24 to 27 April.
KFU has been organizing it since 2017 with the support of the Russian UN Association and MGIMO University.
This annual event brings together students from Russian universities to model the main UN bodies and committees using several official languages of the organization.
The Kazan Model UN combines elements of a scientific conference and a game, with participants acting as representatives of different countries and defending the interests of their state based on the current political situation.
Opening the Kazan Model UN, the moderator of the plenary session, Chair of the Department of International Relations, World Politics and Diplomacy of the Institute of International Relations of KFU, expert of the Commission of the Presidential Council on Interethnic Relations of the Russian Federation Andrey Bolshakov emphasized that the event is specifically targeted at young people.
Welcoming the audience, Timirkhan Alishev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, noted that the university holds not only the UN model, but also simulates the work of the Organization of the Treaty of Collective Security (OTCS), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“Specialists in international relations deal with entire nations, the future of the whole world, and therefore such modeling is certainly important not only from the point of view of acquiring good theoretical competencies (you will get them from wonderful teachers), it is very important that you practice, find a common language,” the Vice-Rector said.
Timirkhan Alishev reminded that next year the UN, which has a great resource for transformation and adaptation of tasks facing society, will celebrate its 80th anniversary, “I will note that Kazan University is also actively involved in international relations. You know that within the framework of the general international policy of the Russian Federation (we work within the framework of humanitarian, scientific and educational cooperation), the University has the International Office, which conducts international activities. Of course, we are very happy that our Institute of International Relations organizes many such events.”
He wished the participants of the UN model success and said that today there is a great demand for personnel who will shape the future of international relations in the policy of the Russian Federation in the international arena.
“Every year in spring our platform becomes a place of professional communication of international students from all over Russia and foreign countries. We are very pleased with the guests who find time to share the joy of scientific communication with their colleagues,” said Acting Director of the Institute of International Relations Rail Fakhrutdinov.
The participants was also addressed by Maxim Isakov, Secretary-General of Model UN, who said that this year’s work will be conducted within the framework of four modeling committees.
During the modeling of the General Assembly, the Security Council will discuss the settlement of the crisis in the Red Sea: peacebuilding and peacekeeping. The International Court of Justice will raise the issue of mining on the high seas. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will address the global challenges of migration.
In addition, the event, which will conclude on April 26, will include a simulation of the world’s information publishers.