Introduction:
Lagos Regional Secondary Schools Model United Nations (LARSSMUN) Conference is a yearly interactive educational event, recognized by the United Nations, for senior secondary school students within and outside the country. These students, known as delegates at the conference, take on roles as representatives of United Nations member to discuss and debate most pressing global issues, and proffer innovative solutions to the problems. LARSSMUN delegates use this conference to develop their diplomatic skills and relations needed to build a more tolerant and peaceful future. It creates an avenue for these delegates to build valuable friendships and promote cooperation.
LARSSMUN Conference broadens the horizon of participating students and creates more awareness on real life issues affecting our world today. It provides an avenue for the participants to have fresh knowledge and understanding of international activities and encourages them to be more involved in world affairs. The students at the end of the conference leave with fresh drive for success, enhanced skills and self-assurance to grow and become assets to themselves, their schools and the society as a whole. The experience they gain from this conference will assist in building their resilience to real life challenges and leadership problems they may encounter.
The committee and interactive sessions give the participants the chance to understand and realize the need to utilize youth creativity and strength to create a more tolerant and peaceful society which is required in the world today.
How Does Model United Nations Operate:
The basic principles of Model United Nations remain the same; regardless of where the conference is taking place:
Benefits of Model United Nations to Students:
1) Model UN events provide active learning opportunities for delegates, allowing them to explore and analyze a situation affecting different people in unusual 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.
2) Helps the students appreciate the relevance of academic study to real world problems and utilize the skills learned through their school’s course curriculum or degrees.
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) 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.
6) 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.
Students’ Eligibility:
How to Complete Registration Form:
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:
***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.
Registration Deadline:
Submission of Essays and Position Papers
A compulsory essay on ‘Promoting peace and non- violent conflict resolution’ is to be submitted by each delegate. It should come along with evidence of payment of conference fee and complete registration form with one passport photograph attached. These materials must be delivered on or before MAY 15, 2020 which is the deadline date. All accepted delegates are expected to individually submit their countries’ position papers on or before the deadline of MAY 15, 2020.
Please Note That the Position Paper Is Separate from The Compulsory Essay.
Advertisements:
Advertisement in Conference Brochure
Participating schools are expected to take advantage of the unique nature of the LARSSMUN conference and advertise their schools 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 stakeholders and the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
LARSSMUN 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 (colored) in a Flash Disk or CD Rom with photocopy of payment teller to the NigMUNS office on or before August 28, 2020.
LARSSMUN 2020
Committees & Topics
International Press Committee (IPC):
This simulation was added to LARSSMUN to represent the role of the media in diplomacy and international politics. The program is open to all students who have an interest in international relations, communications, journalism, or similar areas of interest. IPC delegates represent correspondents and news services which are represented in the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA). The IPC publishes a daily newsletter of LARSSMUN 2020 – ‘LARSSMUN BRIDGE’ covering the committee proceedings, world developments, and other related news.
Application criteria for the IPC include:
Basic Conference Information:
Requirement for Participation
Application for participation is open to Senior Secondary School Students and schools can register as much students as possible.
Acceptance of Application
Students who have been accepted to participate at LARSSMUN 2020 will be notified on or before May 22, 2020.
All applications and payments of conference fee must be received on or before MAY 15, 2020.
NOTE: Registration forms must be returned with one (1) passport photograph, mandatory essays and evidence of payment of conference fee.
Registration
this date will be subjected to a 10% surcharge and placed on the waiting list.
Arrival / Departure
Special Events:
Special Intergenerational Dialogue on Engaging the Youth in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Leaving No One Behind:
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the United Nations blueprint for a more sustainable future for all. It is therefore very important that we engage the youth in advancing the SDGs through dialogue as a means of ensuring that no one is left behind.
Guest Speakers
LARSSMUN 2020 will attract notable and dynamic personalities relevant to International relations. Experienced minds who have insightful knowledge on the conference theme will also be invited. 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 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 World Cultural Night.
World Cultural Night
There are thousands of cultures and traditions across the world, each one unique in its own way. 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 LARSSMUN 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 classroom, school environment, family and society. We should therefore recognize 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.
Schools that are interested in making presentation 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 dress code for the event is: Cultural or traditional dress of Nigeria or that of the delegate’s adopted country. Inappropriate dressing by any delegate will not be tolerated.
Gala and Awards Night
The Gala/Awards Night, a very special event that brings the LARSSMUN 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.
Awards
Participation in LARSSMUN 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 LARSSMUN 2020 Twenty-Six (26) Awards will be presented at the Official Banquet and Awards Night to student delegates, school delegations and accompanying staff who distinguish themselves during the conference.
The Awards are:
Conference Theme:
Engaging the Youth in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Leaving No One Behind
There is limited time available to achieve the ambitious 2030 Agenda where we will see the fruits for the world’s collective actions. The world is changing, challenges are growing and every single action matters. With more than half of the planet under 30 and a world’s population that is younger than ever before, it is clear that the world cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals without the engagement of young people.
Today’s generation of young people is the largest in history. More than 3 billion people (42% of the world’s population) are under the age of 24 years. They are also potentially the most influential, in part due to the rapid increase and geographical spread of internet-enabled devices and other modern communications methods. This cohort represents a powerhouse of human potential that could transform sustainable development.
Yet, the power of young people is probably the most untapped resource in the global endeavors towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The nature of the power of young people itself with its enormous potential towards achieving the global goals and the global failure to adequately invest on developing robust engagement strategies that recognize young people as partners has left a gap in the advancement towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The human right of young people to participate in decisions, institutions and processes that affect their lives is protected by international human rights law. A key challenge and strategic opportunity for all Member States is to move away from a position where many young people are excluded from public dialogue and processes around global developments.
Hearing young people’s powerful voices on their experiences and ideas for change could profoundly change the shape of sustainable development. Many young people are already driving transformative change, and many more are poised to do so, but lack the opportunity and means.
The world needs the youth, and their engagement is critical to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, there are still obstacles to seeing such engagements lead to a paradigm shift in young people realizing their rights and driving transformative change because for many development institutions and organizations, successful engagement with young people is more of an ambition than a reality.
To successfully engage young people in the collective action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, we must ensure that young people have space, voice, audience and influence; young people must be grounded in their agency and rights; young people must be enabled to shape and implement agendas; and young people’s leadership potentials must be encouraged, harnessed and put to work.
It is time to align every Youth with the dream of achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Goals of LARSSMUN 2020:
Through the conference, students will:
Nigeria Model United Nations Society (NigMUNS)
Nigeria Model United Nations Society (NigMUNS) is a non-governmental organization registered under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is also recognized by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Nigeria Model United Nations Society also prides itself in being the founder of the Model United Nations culture in Nigeria having over 35,000 delegates to show for it. The organization organizes innovative and educational programmes that create a platform for young students to simulate the activities of the United Nations and other international organisations.
NigMUNS promotes interaction and dialogue among young people from different backgrounds, formulating peaceful resolutions to world’s problems and preparing today’s youth for tomorrow’s leadership positions.
As we celebrate our 5th annual conference, we want to continue grooming young students who will use their skills and creative minds to build a more peaceful and tolerant society. Through our various annual conferences which include; Junior Schools International Model United Nations (JUNSIMUN); Lagos Regional Secondary Schools Model United Nations (LARSSMUN); Nigerian International Secondary Schools Model United Nations (NISSMUN); and the Nigerian International Tertiary Model United Nations (NITIMUN), we educate these young people and engage them in discussions about real world issues and how they can help solve them.
Our conferences give students the opportunity to explore and discover their talents and skills. It is an opportunity for young people to challenge themselves and face their fears and also develop their public speaking and communications skills. Through the United Nations simulations, they get to advance their knowledge about certain issues and become more interested and involved in world affairs. The experience they get from their interactions with each other stays with them for life and helps shape them to become ambassadors for peace.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Lagos Office: National Office:
Nigeria Model United Nations Society Nigeria Model United Nations Society
1A, Unity Road, Off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way 14, Dep Street, Off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja
P.O.Box 5721, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria P. O. Box 7311 Wuse, Abuja
Tel: +234 (0) 1-2906507, (0) 8075203451 Tel: +234 – 9 – 2903635
E-mail: larssmun@nigmuns.org, larssmun@gmail.com Hotlines: +234 (0) 8022412464, (0) 8068896000
E-mail: info@nigmuns.org, nigmuns@yahoo.com
Website: www.nigmuns.org