REGISTRATION GUIDELINE: NITIMUN 2017

Introduction

NITIMUN Conference is an academic exercise where students assume the role of ambassadors of member countries of the United Nations and extensively deliberate on current global issues. It gives students the opportunity to view and understand issues from different perspectives, get acquainted with and appreciate different people and cultures, learn to proffer credible and acceptable solutions to identified national and global problems.

The conference has been designed as a forum where students work with these pressing international issues from a perspective outside of the classroom. Representing the interest of a foreign country further broadens the knowledge of the students on the difficulties and complexities of international relations. The programme brings the activities of the United Nations closer to the youth who are made to assume leadership roles through the simulation.

Students at the conference learn to face and overcome challenges, to respect the view point of rivals, to separate the person from the problem, to face disappointment with the determination to do better next time and to experience the joy of achievement. At the end of the conference, each student is changed having learnt more about himself, gained confidence from some endeavours and discovered previously unrecognized potential. The benefit to the student, Institution and society are great.

NITIMUN 2017 theme is: Tackling Unemployment and Youth Involvement in Cybercrime. The committee sessions will avail the students the opportunity to expand their knowledge base on various aspects of unemployment and cybercrime, and how they can contribute to making the world a more secured place for all.

How Does Model United Nations Operate

The basic principles of Model United Nations remain the same; regardless of where the conference is taking place;

1. Participants are assigned a UN Member State. They assume the role of that country’s diplomats at whichever UN body is being enacted. The delegates represent the views of ‘their’ assigned countries, reflecting the countries’ national interests, rather than their own personal opinions on an issue.
2. The delegates research their country’s position on selected topics, paying particular attention to their country’s perspective on the topics to be discussed at the Model UN. The topics are issues of global importance.
3. The committee sessions are held in accordance with rules of procedure. The delegates present statements of their countries’ positions and debate and negotiate with the other delegates, both through formal and informal debate.
4. A resolution is written, debated, negotiated and amended, in line with each country’s interests and in response to the debate. Votes are held on the resolution and the amendments. A final resolution is produced, which is acceptable to a majority of delegations and represents the final product of the meeting.

Benefits of Model United Nations to Students

• Model UN events provide active learning opportunities for delegates, allowing them to explore and analyze a situation affecting unfamiliar people in unfamiliar settings. They negotiate and reach consensus on the best action for all, working individually and as part of a group. Delegates develop their communication skills and build their self-confidence.
• The UN can be a difficult organization to grasp – it is not a world government, but a system of many organizations which together affect our lives in many ways. In order to influence the way in which the UN works, we must understand the UN – one way of doing this is by taking part in a Model UN event.
• Model UN work not only educates participants about the problems the world is facing, but also suggests the means by which progress can be made and problems resolved, peacefully and justly.
• Helps the students appreciate the relevance of academic study to real world problems and utilize the skills learned through their Institution’s course curriculum or degrees.
• Provides a multicultural learning experience, as it gives students the opportunity to meet others from diverse backgrounds and nationalities and helps them break out from their own prejudices and preconceptions about world affairs.
• Instills responsibility and discipline as the students assume the role of ambassadors and speak out on behalf of nations in a bid to resolving issues.

Students’ Eligibility Requirements

• Students in Tertiary Institutions within and outside Nigeria
• Proven ability to compile extensive research on chosen topics with a clear understanding of country’s position
• Ability to communicate clearly and express thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner
• knowledge of the United Nations
• Demonstrated leadership skills

How to Complete the Registration Form

1. Select any 3 countries of your choice from the country/committee matrix attached that you can represent (1 out of the 3 could be allocated to you depending on availability)
2. Select any 3 committees of your choice from the country/committee matrix attached that you wish to simulate (1 out of the 3 could be allocated to you also depending on availability)
3. Ensure that the country chosen is a member of the committee selected as appropriately indicated in the matrix

Special information on country/committee selection and assignment

It is important to note that we cannot guarantee that each student will be assigned the country/committee of his or her choice. Certain criteria may result in a change in delegates’ choice. Some of which are:

• Most countries are allocated on first come, first serve basis. Delegates are thereby encouraged to send in their application forms early.
• Essays are rated according to performance. The best essays sometimes get their choice of allocation.

** Students who apply to sit on the Security Council should be of academic excellence and possess good public presentation and analytical skills. Accompanying staff should please assist us in this regard.

Submission of Essays and Position Papers

Every registration form should be submitted along with the mandatory essay on “Tackling Unemployment and Youth Involvement in Cybercrime” on or before the deadline of July 30, 2017. Students are encouraged to start preparation and research as soon as they receive registration confirmation and countries/committees allocated to them.

NOTE:          Delegates MUST return Completed Registration Forms with 1 passport photograph each (with names clearly written at the reverse side), Curriculum Vitae and evidence of payment of conference fee.

Acceptance of Application

Students who have been accepted to participate at NITIMUN 2017 will be notified on or before August 7, 2017.

Mode of Dressing

The standard mode of dressing for delegates is corporate.

• Suit and tie for the male
• Corresponding formal outfit for the female – skirt/trouser suits (no jeans, sneakers or casual)
• Traditional/Cultural Attire for World Cultural Night
• Formal Dinner or Traditional Outfit for the Closing Dinner

Note:  Disobedience to the dress codes will attract expulsion from the conference. See Code of Conduct attached.

 

Special Notice on Election into Committee Positions

Chairpersons and Rapporteur of the NITIMUN 2017 Committees will be elected during the conference.

 

Student delegates interested in any of these positions should submit their typed applications on or before the arrival day, October 31, 2017 for screening by the Electoral Committee. See Conference Schedule.

 

 

The subsidized conference fee covers:

• 5-day Hotel Accommodation
• Feeding throughout the conference
• Transportation within Abuja
• Attendance of the Official Closing Dinner/Awards Night
• Medical Care for the duration of the conference

 

NITIMUN 2017 Committees and Topics

• GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA)
• Youth unemployment as a global challenge
• Tackling young people involvement in cybercrime

 

• SECURITY COUNCIL (SC)
• Global action against Cyberterrorism
• Homegrown terrorism as the new face of terrorism

 

• ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC)
• Effects of youth unemployment and joblessness
• Cybercrime as a significant threat to economic and social wellbeing

 

• HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC)
• Promoting the right to sustainable decent working environment
• The role of the internet in exposing human rights abuses

 

• UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME (UNODC)
• Engaging the youth in the fight against cybercrime and other transnational crimes
• Young people as victims of crime on the internet

 

• INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
• The role of internet and telecommunication providers in tackling cybercrime
• Providing technical assistance to developing countries on cybersecurity technologies

 

• COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW)
• Ensuring young women’s equal access to education and vocational training
• Tackling online violence against women and girls

 

• UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)
• Engaging young people in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
• Promoting job training for youth living in violence-affected communities

 

• UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD)
• Effects of cybercrime on individuals and business organizations
• Combatting cybercrime and illicit proceeds of crime

 

• UNITED NATIONS EDUCTAIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION (UNESCO)
• Promoting technical and vocational education for sustainable development
• Promoting an educational campaign on cybercrime

 

• INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO)
• Preventing cybercrime through advocacy and skills acquisition
• Tackling online youth radicalisation through job creation

 

• WORLD BANK GROUP (WBG)
• Integrating young people in development strategies
• Financing innovative solutions to unemployment challenges in developing countries

 

• UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (UNIDO)
• Provision of affordable and accessible technologies for rural development
• Promoting economic growth through entrepreneurship

 

• WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION (WTO)
• Protecting businesses against the growing threat of cybercrime
• The role of the private sector in building skills for the youth

 

• AFRICAN UNION (AU)
• Africa’s rising population and the youth unemployment challenge
• Effects of cybercrime on Africa’s development

 

• EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
• Reducing the occurrence of credit card theft and identity fraud
• Social isolation and mental health problems of unemployed youth

 

• ECONOMIC COMMUNITY FOR WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS)
• Lack of skills as a challenge to youth unemployment
• Tackling the reasons behind young people’s involvement in cyber criminality

 

• THE COMMISSION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT (CSTD)
• Developing new technologies to protect online transactions
• Combating software piracy in developing countries

 

• SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH ACTION ON CYBER CRIME (SCYACC)
• Engaging the youth in the fight against internet fraud
• Empowering youth as change agents

 

• INTERNATIONAL PRESS COMMITTEE (IPC)
• The role of media in the fight against cybercrime and cyber attacks
• The impact of digital technology and social media on young people

 

 Basic Conference Information

Requirement for Participation

Application for participation is open to Students from Tertiary Institutions within and outside Nigeria. All applications and payments of conference fee must be received on or before July 30, 2017.

Registration

• Registration is from May 8, 2017 till July 30, 2017. Delegates who register after this date will be subjected to a 10% surcharge and placed on the waiting list.
• NigMUNS will not make any refund of payment from two months before the conference.
• Any swapping or changing of delegate after registration will attract a fee of N3, 000.

 Arrival / Departure

• Arrival is from 1pm on the 31^st October, 2017 and departure is on or before 12noon on 5^th November, 2017.

 

 Special Events

 Special Intergenerational Dialogue

Delegates at the NITIMUN Conference are not merely model for new knowledge and discovery, but they are also instruments of social change. The Special Intergenerational Dialogue affords distinguished personalities from the government and non-government sectors with the opportunity to present their views on the theme of the conference; interact and dialogue with the students and provide answers to their questions and concerns on issues of Unemployment and Youth Involve in Cybercrime.

 

World Cultural Night

The NITIMUN 2017 cultural night is to improve students’ relationships and interactions with each other. Our specific goal is to create cultural awareness and better understanding for all participating delegates, this translates to better relationships in the school environment, family and society. We should therefore recognise the role of cultural diversity for the benefit of present and future generations.

Celebrating our Cultural diversity makes life vibrant, richer and more interesting, because it allows us to interact with each other and to better appreciate our own culture. Respect for cultural diversity is the starting point for peaceful and inclusive society. It is an opportunity to unify the future generations and to celebrate all the richness and benefits we get from being such a diverse community.

Institutions wishing to perform at the World Cultural Night should notify us on or before the deadline of registration to book for a slot. The duration for each presentation is between 5 to 7 minutes. The mode of dressing for this event is: Cultural or traditional dress of Nigeria or that of the delegate’s adopted country. Improper dressing by any delegate will not be tolerated.

 

Guest Speakers

NITIMUN 2017 will attract notable and dynamic personalities relevant to government, international relations, and contemporary issues to the conference. In addition, we will introduce in-committee guest speaker programme to ensure that all delegates have the opportunity to hear from real experts on their committee topics.

 

Gala and Awards Night

The Gala/Awards Night, a very special event that brings the NITIMUN Conference 2017 celebration to its climax, is where we recognize outstanding students and Institutions, role models whose achievements are a source of pride and inspiration to young people. We also show our thanks to staff advisers and institutions for their continued support.

The event aims to provide delegates the opportunity to interact freely with very important personalities and diplomats in an atmosphere devoid of the usual protocol associated with the offices of these personalities.

 

Awards

Participation in NITIMUN yields tremendous educational and personal rewards. Each delegate should rightly feel great pride in doing the research necessary to participate and in successfully playing the role of his/her country during the conference.

As a means of recognizing outstanding efforts in this area, we are pleased to present several awards with prizes at the conclusion of NITIMUN 2017. Twenty-six (26) Awards will be presented at the Gala and Awards Night to student delegates, Institution delegations and accompanying staff who distinguish themselves during the conference.

 

The Awards are:

1. Best Female Delegate
2. Second Best Female Delegate
3. Third Best Female Delegate
4. Best Male Delegate
5. Second Best Male Delegate
6. Third Best Male Delegate
7. Best Institution Delegation
8. Second Best Institution Delegation
9. Third Best Institution Delegation
10. Best Male Accompanying Teacher
11. Best Female Accompanying Teacher
12. Best Cultural Performance
13. Second Best Cultural Performance
14. Third Best Cultural Performance
15. Best Drama Presentation
16. Second Best Drama Presentation
17. Best Cultural Costume
18. Second Best Cultural Costume
19. Third Best Cultural Costume
20. Best Conference Director
21. Second Best Conference Director
22. Best Committee Chairperson
23. Second Best Committee Chairperson
24. Best Committee Rapporteur
25. Second Best Committee Rapporteur
26. Outstanding Delegates in each Committee

 

 Theme:

Tackling Unemployment and Youth Involvement in Cybercrime

Youth unemployment is one of the major threats in our world today. It is a growing problem that has significant long term consequences for individuals, communities, countries, economies and societies. In this regard, the increase in unemployment rate of young people is of real concern as it plays a pivotal role in exacerbating young people’s vulnerability to becoming involved in criminal activities.

Young people today have very slim chances of getting even a mainstream job with low pay. It is little wonder that many do not feel motivated to work hard when in university, polytechnic or college of education, when there is so little reward to look forward to in the employment market. Feeling desperate, they eventually turn to other sources and means to finally make some money which most often results in illegal activities and other crimes such as cybercrime.

Cybercrime is an emerging threat, mostly committed by some young people to make a living among other reasons. It is a wrong use of the internet and other communication technologies to commit crimes like hacking, phishing, piracy, spamming, identity theft, credit card fraud, defamation, and so many others. Cybercrime increases in most developing countries as unemployed youth take advantage of unsuspecting people online, using fake identities to perpetuate their criminal activities.

Cybercrime is not endemic to a particular geographical area, it is a global problem. This type of crime is committed by means of or by using a computer and an internet connection or computer technology. Cybercrime is a borderless problem and while law enforcement agencies are trying to tackle this problem, it is growing steadily with victims from all backgrounds.

Nigeria Model United Nations Society (NigMUNS), the organizers of NITIMUN 2017 intends to challenge young people to become drivers of positive change in the society by joining the fight against cybercrime. This is of utmost significance, as it impacts their lives and future. The interactive educational sessions will give the participants a better understanding of cybercrime, its dangers and also teach internet safety and proper internet usage.

 

Objectives of NITIMUN 2017 Conference

• Sensitize students on the importance of entrepreneurial and skills acquisition programmes;
• Raise awareness on the danger of cybercrime to young people’s future life;
• Engage young people to be active partners in the fight against unemployment and Cybercrime;
• Provide a platform for the students to share alternative solutions to global issues;
• Promote mutual understanding about divisive issues, and create friendships across barriers; and
• Expose the students to the principles that are important for the development of good citizenship.

 

Through the conference, students will:

• Understand the critical issues around youth unemployment;
• Develop the necessary skills for their future career life;
• Understand the dangers of cybercrime;
• Learn internet safety and proper internet usage;
• Acquire skills and competencies in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution;
• Learn to appreciate differences in opinion;
• Foster greater interest in international affairs;
• Develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life challenges; and
• Learn to develop respect for others regardless of their economic status, gender, race, nationality, class or religious beliefs.