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 2020 theme is: Youth Reshaping the Narrative on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The committee sessions will avail the students the opportunity to expand their knowledge base on various aspects of global peace and tolerance, and how they can prevent the spread of hate-motivated behaviour in the society.
How Does Model United Nations Operate:
The basic principles of Model United Nations remain the same; regardless of where the conference is taking place;
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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)
- 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)
- 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 “Youth Reshaping the Narrative on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs” on or before the deadline of JUNE 3, 2020. 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.
All accepted delegates are expected to individually submit their countries’ position papers on or before October 30, 2020. Note: that the position paper is different from the mandatory essay.
Acceptance of Application:
Students who have been accepted to participate at NITIMUN 2020 will be notified on or before JUNE 8, 2020.
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 2020 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, December 5, 2020 for screening by the Electoral Committee. See Conference Schedule.
Committees and Topics:
- GENERAL ASSEMBLY
- Implementing and revitalizing global partnership for sustainable development
- Investing in Climate Change education, training and awareness raising
- Harnessing the potential of young people to reach the SDGs
- SECURITY COUNCIL
- Expanding global efforts to combat extremism, terror and the perpetration of violence against people
- Sustaining the global endeavor to permanently eliminate chemical weapons
- Tackling the challenge of the global surge of populism, nationalism and extremism
- ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC)
- Tackling the barriers to youth participation in decision making processes addressed by the SDGs
- Ensuring that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources
- HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (HRC)
- The right to development as a human right
- Promoting the right of all to make free decisions
- Advancing respect for human rights of workers and communities affected by business activities
- UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)
- Eradicating extreme poverty and implementing social protection measures
- Promoting effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships
- The role of local and regional governments in delivering services for sustainable development
- UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION (UNESCO)
- Education as an effective instrument in reducing poverty
- Eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all level of education and vocational training
- UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN FUND (UNICEF)
- Preventing deaths of newborn and children under 5
- Addressing prevalent violence against children in homes, schools and communities
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)
- Reducing the global maternal mortality ration to less than 70 per 100, 000 births
- Reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, soils and soil pollution and contamination
- FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION (FAO)
- Transforming rural areas and making agriculture a driver of rural development
- The role of sustainable agriculture in reducing massive youth migration in Africa
- COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW)
- Ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making
- Strengthening sound polices and enforceable legislation for the promotion gender equality and empowerment of women
- UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)
- Clean water and sanitation as a basic requirement for human health
- Promoting investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
- Integrating local and indigenous knowledge systems and environmental management practices in mitigating the effects of climate change
- UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMNETS PROGRAMME (UN-HABITAT
- Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and affordable for all
- Enhancing the role of local and regional governments in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
- UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)
- Strengthening the capacity of rural farmers for climate change adaptation, extreme weather, drought and other disasters
- Harnessing youth’s innovative spirit, fresh insights and courage to tackle climate change
- UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA)
- Turning the youth bulge into youth dividend
- Tackling inequalities, empowering women and girls and leaving no one behind
- ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS (OPCW)
- Promoting peaceful use of chemistry for sustainable development
- Strengthening international security through development
- UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME (UNODC)
- Reducing illicit financial and arms flow and combating all forms of organized crime
- Fighting trafficking and sexual exploitation of women in vulnerable situations
- Facilitating orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people
- WORLD METEROLOGICAL ORGANISATION (WMO)
- Reducing weather disasters through effective forecasting and early warning systems
- Enhancing Africa’s resilience to weather and climate change
- Engaging the youth in weather and climate issues
- UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (UNIDO)
- Supporting developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological towards sustainable patterns of consumption and production
- Greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes
- INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
- Harnessing the potential of information and communication technology as a critical enabler of sustainable development
- Investing in science, research and innovation and promoting digital skills
- ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS)
- Supporting local actions for the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development
- Building the capacities of public institutions for implementing the sustainable development goals
- AFRICAN UNION (AU)
- Recognizing the important role of local governments in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
- Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacities to climate related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
- EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
- Promoting global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity for sustainable development
- Upgrading technology and supply of modern and sustainable energy services in developing countries
- INTERNAIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO)
- Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
- Protecting labour rights and promoting safe and secure working environment for all workers
- AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (AfDB)
- Increasing investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and technology development
- Supporting the research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases
- WORLD BANK GROUP (WBG)
- Attracting domestic resources for the implementation of the SDGs
- Strengthening the participation of developing countries in institutions of global governance
- INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO)
- Enhancing the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries
- Preventing and significantly reducing all marine pollution particularly from land-based activities
- SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH ACTION ON THE SDGS (SCOYAS)
- Advancing youth development through the 2030 agenda for sustainable development
- Children, young men and women as critical agents of change
- INTERNATIONAL PRESS COMMITTEE (IPC)
- Increasing public awareness on sustainable development and lifestyles in line with nature
- Strengthening the role of youth in localizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs)
- INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO)
- Sharing of knowledge, expertise and technology for safe, secure and sustainable air transport infrastructure
- Fostering the development and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels
- UN COMMISSION ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT
- The impact of rapid technological change on sustainable development
- The role of science, technology and innovation in building resilient communities
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 JUNE 3, 2020.
Registration –
- Registration is from JANUARY 20, 2020 till JUNE 3, 2020. 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 2pm on the 5th December, 2020 and departure is on or before 11.30 am on 10th December, 2020.
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 them with useful insights on their role in Reshaping the Narrative on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.
World Cultural Night –
Every people and every place possess a unique culture. Experiencing different ways of life and discovering new cultural heritage have become leading motivations for people all over the world. This interaction between diverse cultures, can lead to tolerance, respect and mutual understanding among people.
The NITIMUN 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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.
Advertisement in Conference Brochure –
Participating Institutions are expected to take advantage of the unique nature of the NITIMUN conference and advertise their Institutions and facilities in the programme brochure. The conference brochure would be sent to other Model United Nations clubs around the world, Embassies, government agencies in Nigeria, stakeholders and the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
NITIMUN 2020 Brochure Advert rates are:
Full Page: N130, 000.00
Inner Front Cover: N170, 000.00
Inner Back Cover: N200, 000.00
Advertisers should please send in their artwork (coloured) in a Flash Disk or CD Rom with photocopy of payment teller to the NigMUNS office on or before AUGUST 31, 2020.
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 2020. 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:
- Best Female Delegate
- Second Best Female Delegate
- Third Best Female Delegate
- Best Male Delegate
- Second Best Male Delegate
- Third Best Male Delegate
- Best Institution Delegation
- Second Best Institution Delegation
- Third Best Institution Delegation
- Best Male Accompanying Teacher
- Best Female Accompanying Teacher
- Best Cultural Performance
- Second Best Cultural Performance
- Third Best Cultural Performance
- Best Drama Presentation
- Second Best Drama Presentation
- Best Cultural Costume
- Second Best Cultural Costume
- Third Best Cultural Costume
- Best Conference Director
- Second Best Conference Director
- Best Committee Chairperson
- Second Best Committee Chairperson
- Best Committee Rapporteur
- Second Best Committee Rapporteur
- Outstanding Delegates in each Committee
Conference Theme:
Youth Reshaping the Narratives on The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This generation of Youth may well be the last hope for this world. The race towards the Sustainable Development Goals has 10 more years to go. Nations have fared very little in their advancement toward the achievement of these goals.
The world is still full of hungry people; inequalities; intolerance; conflict; violence; and climate change issues are yet looming large and threatening the global movement towards a world that’s free to live and thrive. The question of how nations can achieve 17 goals and 169 targets may very well rest in the hands, mouths and movements engineered by the Youth.
The youth are the generation more likely to be intimate with the problems of hunger, unemployment, gender inequalities, conflict, violence, and climate change. This is the world they have been born into. This is the world they live in. This is the world they know. This is the world they have been born to redesign, re-engineer, and recreate. The ability of the Youth to make, mold, remake, and create are visible in all aspects of society and across industries –the SDG scene is not left out.
This generation is the largest generation of young people ever. More and more, young Millennials and Generation are looking to be active. They are launching more startups and are gaining higher education degrees. Eventually, they will make up at least 75% of the global workforce. Young people everywhere are lending their voices, their talent, artistry, penmanship, initiative, and technology to influence society with the message of the SDGs. And, they are helping to cast a new narrative on the race to the 2030 agenda:
The Youth are not afraid to speak what they see, not afraid to seek creative solutions to age-old problems, not afraid to innovate, not afraid to use technology for the common good. The Youth are not afraid to take action. They are non-bureaucratic, apolitical, and strong willed because the lack of political will have become visible among several nations –such lack of will has become the leading cause of inaction, lip service, and passivity towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
This generation of Youth are leading the world into the future –the same future that awaits the completion of the Sustainable Development Goals. The disposition of the Youth with their zest for life, their energy, their creativity, their nativity to technology, and their affinity for action is able to change the globalization of indifference to a globalization of love.
Youth voice is so imperative to the daily movement of sustainability. Their voices should be elevated at every opportunity. Their voices and concerns are pure and unbiased laced with positive pictures of possibilities untainted by learned helplessness. They are able to see the pain and see the hope from the pain. They are able to see the hate and see the love that can be gained. They are able to see eleven years and see the strength it takes to keep going till every goal is meant.
The Youth are the last hope for this generation. And, they are speaking – not the usual empty words void of action. They are speaking the very things they are doing – changing their world one day at a time.
Objectives of NITIMUN 2020 Conference:
- To provide a platform for the students to share ideas on the SDGs;
- Engage young people to be active partners in reshaping the narratives on the SDGs;
- Expose the students to the principles that are important for the development of good citizenship;
- Enable young people to plan and gain greater control over their future;
- Gain insight into the workings of the United Nations and the dynamics of international relations by providing opportunities to assume the roles of UN representatives;
- To engage youth to be critical agents in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and
- Promote mutual understanding about divisive issues, and create friendships across barriers.
Through the conference, students will:
- Learn to appreciate differences in opinion;
- Foster greater interest in international affairs;
- Understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens;
- Learn to develop respect for others regardless of their economic status, gender, race, nationality, class or religious beliefs.
- Develop and experience important social skills such as teamwork and group cooperation, conflict resolution, mediation, debating, negotiation, consensus-building, critical thinking, public speaking and listening; and
- Develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life challenges.
Nigeria Model United Nations Society (NigMUNS):
Nigeria Model United Nations Society (NigMUNS) is an international educational and youth development organization established in 2004. It is registered as a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; recognized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Our mission is to help young people discover their own voice, to find their own purpose, to make their unique contribution and release their full potential. Since the inception of our annual conference series in 2005, Nigeria Model United Nations Society has helped more than 19, 500 students prepare for the future with leadership and responsible global citizenship.
NigMUNS prides itself as the founder of the Model United Nations culture in Nigeria. Today, the organisation hosts 5 annual conferences for primary school, secondary school and tertiary institution students, namely – Junior Schools International Model United Nations (JUNSIMUN); South East Regional Secondary Schools Model United Nations (SERSSMUN); Lagos Regional Secondary Schools Model United Nations (LARSSMUN); Nigerian International Secondary Schools Model United Nations (NISSMUN); and Nigerian International Tertiary Institutions Model United Nations (NITIMUN).
Our programmes present an invaluable opportunity to curious and intelligent students to explore the world in the context of the United Nations. In doing so, the students learn to face and overcome challenges, to respect the viewpoints of rivals, to separate the person from the problem, to disappoint with the determination to do better next time and to experience the joy and exhilaration of achievement. Each student participant is completely changed, having learned more about himself or herself, gained confidence from some endeavours and discovered previously unrecognized potential.
—————CONTACT INFORMATION—————–
National Office:
Nigeria Model United Nations Society
14, Dep Street, Off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja
- O. Box 7311 Wuse, Abuja
Tel: +234 – (0)9 – 2903635
Hotlines: +234(0) 8022412464, 08068896000
E-mail: info@nigmuns.org, nigmuns@yahoo.com
Website: www.nigmuns.org
