Selangor Model United Nations Conference at Sunway University

“In this 21st century, we will need education systems that will equip our coming generations with new knowledge, new skills and values needed in a competitive global market while at the same time nurturing them to be responsible adults, good citizens both of our country and the world. This New World is challenging us to rethink not only how much education is needed but also its ultimate purposes. A revolution is urgently needed to transform higher education to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world,” said Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group in her keynote speech at the third annual Selangor Model United Nations (MUN) Conference.

Nineteen year old Dorothy Cheng Chia Huey, Co-Secretary General of Selangor MUN made a difference to this year’s conference by incorporating the Press Corp. The Press Corp, was a group of journalists representing various international publications, they were stationed at the various discussions throughout the event. Cheng who is a currently pursuing the Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) at Sunway College, plans to study Anthropology or English after CIMP. She has prior working experience as a journalist at The Sun.

On the reason she took to take up her role, she said, “I am passionate about world affairs and world issues. I would also like to share what I’ve learnt from my previous work experience with my peers who have similar passions”. She also commended on her team members, “No matter how challenging the task is, I am glad that I have a team to back me up.”

Working closely with Cheng as Co-Secretary General is Eshaan Menon, a Software Engineering student from Asia Pacific University College of Technology & Innovation (APU). His job was to handle the Public Relations aspect which had him communicating with the delegates via e-mail. Eshaan who aspires to work at Google, was also in charge of IT and design. He said, “The position enabled me to test myself and see how well I can manage a team”.

The 3-day conference, hosted by Sunway University provided more than 200 youths from Malaysia, the United Kingdom and Singapore an opportunity to role-play as world leaders in an academic simulation of proceedings similar to that at the United Nations.

This year, under the theme A New World Order, the delegates were to discuss various issues and topics related to Political and Decolonisation, World Conference on Women, Special Summit on Technology, UN Development Programme, Human Rights Council, Arab League, Organisation of American States, the Malaysian Cabinet of 1963 and the English Privy Council of 1640.

The Selangor MUN hopes to take the local MUN to a greater extent and one day turn Malaysia into a globalised MUN hub by providing equal opportunity for all students to participate and nurturing delegates who will be ready to cross borders. “The real work doesn’t just end on Sunday, it begins after the conference. With your experience here, you will be representatives of the United Nations, charged with building a better understanding of the goals to build a better world“, added Elizabeth Lee.