COIMBATORE: From the rights of sex workers to the role of lethal autonomous weapons in conflict zones,
about 100 students from colleges in Chennai, Bengaluru,
Hyderabad and Coimbatore, discussed important issues that the world faces today at the three-day Model
United Nations event held at PSG College of Technology,
which concluded on Sunday.
The event had students debating under the councils - United Nations Human Rights Council, United Nations General Assembly, United Nation Security. In addition to this, there were also Council Club of Rome and mock press. The event saw student delegates discussing and debating on the issues based on the United Nations protocol and trying to find solutions.
Nanduri Anirudh, final year mechanical engineering student at PSG College of Technology and the chief advisor of the Model United Nations, said the debates were well researched. “For topics like the rights of sex workers, a lot of ethical issues needs to be discussed. Issues such as whether to decriminalise and legalise sex work came up for discussions. There is a difference between both. So, the committee discussed on a middle path,” he said.
In Club of Rome, delegates took the role of idea leaders and world leaders such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, Narendra Modi and Mark Zuckerberg.
“Club of Rome involves personalities pushing their personal agendas. We had to research the ideas and personal traits and push their agendas,” said a student participant.
Another student said model United Nations helped him know more about macro-economic issues. “Being a mock diplomat teaches us how to interact politely and to participate in debates. It also gives us a bird’s eye view of political and economic issues. When we think as common people, we look at issues in a micro-economic perspective. But in a model UN, when we think like a diplomat, we see issues in a macro-economic perspective. This makes us more socially aware,” he said.
“I used to be a silent kid, but participating in model UN session helped me express my views boldly on the state and central politics. This has also inspired me to become a politician or a diplomat,” said another student.
The students read political science journals and research papers for preparing for the sessions.
