Date:23/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/23/stories/2007102362760600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

In the role of goodwill diplomats

Staff Reporter

Students discuss issues in ‘Model United Nations Assembly’

— PHOTO: R.M. RAJARATHINAM

VOICING THEIR VIEWS: A ’mock’ U.N. Assembly session, organised by Rotary District 3000 and Rotary Club of Tiruchirapalli, in progress on Sunday.

TIRUCHI: It could not have been any different from an international conference except for the school uniforms they sported. Thirty-six students got together to discuss three burning issues — alleviation of poverty, terrorism and helping differently abled persons.

While MUNA, Rotary International’s Model United Nations Assembly, is being conducted across the world, this part of the globe witnessed discussions that would have given international speakers a run for their money.

Grouped as nations, the students acted as diplomats, negotiating with their counterparts in solving global issues.

Twelve schools were labelled as 12 nations, with representatives of each school donning the role of leader. They passed resolutions, came up with amendments and lobbied to craft sustainable solutions. After three-hour discussions and negotiations, moderated by the former president of Rotary Club of Tiruchi, R. Panchanathan, the students were able to get a hang of parliamentary practices.

“We gave them the feel of the happenings at international conferences. In fact, they have learnt the jargons,” said Prof. Panchanathan.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Tiruchi in the district, MUNA aims at improving public speaking skills and building goodwill and harmony in the minds of students.

Based on clarity, relevance of information, argumentation, ability to add liveliness in the discussion and practising parliamentary procedures, the trio from R.S.K. Higher Secondary School notched the MUNA award.

Club president J. Sankaran and MUNA coordinator Mohammed Hussain spoke.