The First Joint Session of Model United Nations of Universities in Guangdong Province Held at GDUFS

On May 31^th, the First Joint Session of the Model  United Nations (MUN) of Universities in Guangdong Province was held at GDUFS. LIU Zhixian, Vice Chairman of United Nations Association of China, PAN Hui, a senior official from this association, ZHAO Chen, Vice Director of Division of Graduate Students of GDUFS, and ZHU Wenzhong, Executive Dean of School of Business were invited to attend the joint session. Representatives from GDUFS, Sun Yat-sen University, South China Agricultural University, South China Normal University, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Beijing Normal University, Hong Kong Baptist University United International College and other universities gathered together, discussing how to make full use of resources of universities in Guangdong and to bring collective wisdom and ideas together so as to elevate the performance of the MUN in their respective universities.

LIU Zhixian expressed hope that all attendees could bring this meeting into full play for a full discussion of problems and challenges facing the MUN. Additionally, he expected them to make innovative and constructive suggestions in terms of combining the development of the MUN and the cultivation of talents with international views to the ‘one goal of China’. He recognized the meeting as an effective tool in advancing the standardization of the way the MUN performs, and for figuring out the path for the development of the MUN most suitable for universities in China. Meanwhile, he felt that the overall academic level and abilities to host relevant activities would be raised. Another speaker, PAN Hui also encouraged all representatives to strengthen cooperation and conduct more training activities by mobilizing MUN resources in Guangdong Province.

LIU Zhixian placing high expectations on the meeting

ZHAO Chen held that with the support of the United Nations Association of China’s, MUN activities in China have reaped remarkable progress making them very influential activities among universities in China. Through participating in these activities in connection with the MUN, a group of excellent students have stood out with international views  while exhibiting a grand mastery of interpersonal skills. With the joint efforts of MUN of universities in Guangdong Province, the First Joint Session of the MUN of Universities in  this Province was held in order to further boost the rapid development of the MUN in China. He also expressed that as a pioneer among MUN of universities in Guangdong, GDUFS was willing to work with others to move forward the cause of the MUN in South China.

ZHAO Chen delivering a speech

During the session, all representatives shared their experiences in hosting MUN activities and discussed challenges facing the MUN and the development of the MUN in Guangdong Province. Additionally, they summarized existing differences in terms of the MUNs’ capabilities in hosting activities and governing via the organization’s rules. They also pointed out that a lack of communication, low transparency of information and the relatively low academic level that have prevailed in the MUN provided many opportunities for improvement. Eventually they all stated the belief that there was still room for the improvement of the MUN in Guangdong and in South China.

Representatives from different universities delivering their remarks

All attendees confirmed the importance of holding the joint session of the MUN  in the universities of Guangdong and raised the idea that they could take the opportunity of the joint session to reinforce exchanges and cooperation among the universities in Guangdong Province and work to establish long-term mechanisms so as to move ahead. What’s more, it was decided at this session that the Second Joint Session of MUN of Universities in Guangdong would be at Sun Yat-sen University.

A group photo

From May 27^th to 30^th, CHEN Hongyu from SEIB and MO Siman from FELC, members of the GDUFS MUN team attended the 2015 United Nations Training Course on Human Rights in Guilin, Guangxi Province. The meeting was hosted by the United Nations Association of China, sponsored by the Australian Human Rights Commission and organized by the Guangxi Normal University. Over 210 students from 84 universities took part in the training course which briefed them on the preparation work underway for the 12^th China National Model United Nations Conference to be held November 27^th to 29^th, 2015 at East China University of Science and Technology. 

Photo of CHEN Hongzhou and Ms. BING Wanjie, Deputy Country Director of UNDP