SJTU Model United Nations 2019 Opened Smoothly
2019/4/13 16:18:15
On the afternoon of April 12, the Opening Ceremony of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Model United Nations 2019 was held in Room 319 Reporting Hall, Xinjian Building, Xuhui Campus. Present at the Open Ceremony are Cheng Zhou, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhaorong Mei, former Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Federal Republic of Germany and Member of the Advisory Board of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of International and Public Affairs, Jin Hu, the Acting Dean of SIPA, Wenning Jiang, Secretary of the Party Committee of SIPA, Wei Xie, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of SIPA, Bo Fan, Vice Dean of SIPA, etc. The MUN Conference was hosted by Youth League Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and undertaken by School of International and Public Affairs, SJTU, as well as Model United Nations Association, SJTU. Some 200 young students from over 50 universities home and abroad participated in the MUN Conference which lasted 3 days.
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, has sent congratulatory messages through letter and video to the MUN conference. In the congratulatory letter, Mr. Guterres stated that United Nations has become particularly imperative in the increasingly intricate and changeable international situations, acclaimed and praised young students’ participation in global affairs through Model United Nations, as well as encouraged youths from all over the world to strive to build a better future for all.
Representing Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Cheng Zhou gave congratulatory remarks to the opening of the MUN Conference. He indicated that Shanghai Jiao Tong University has constantly committed to fostering talents with creativity and global perspectives, adhering to the general trend of globalization in higher education; the MUN Conference was a meaningful and significant activity under this guideline. Cheng Zhou remarked to inspire young students to become the mainstay and protagonist of the development of the entire world and the construction of a stronger nation in the future, and to contribute their will and power to building a better world.
Zhaorong Mei offered remarks to the conference. By analyzing the international and national situations in the contemporary world and by recounting his own growth experience and career of diplomacy, Mr. Mei gave three instructions to the young students present: firstly, not to idle away their precious youth but to expand their knowledge through industrious studies, striving to become knowledgeable and educated; secondly, to possess the sense of obligation to devote themselves to our nation and to become men and women of responsibility and achievements; thirdly, to possess the clear-sight to distinguish between right and wrong as well as navigate in the right direction, and to have determination and resolution in an increasingly diversified society.
On behalf of School of International and Public Affairs, Jin Hu extended appreciation and welcome to the distinguished guests and delegates present. He affirmed that Model United Nation, being one of the most influential extra-curricular activities, has comprehensive educational meanings for young students. He hoped that all students present at the conference could contribute their wisdom to the construction of a harmonious and beautiful world by seeking sustainable and effective solutions to heated topics both globally and regionally.
Ruiqi Chao gave the hammer which symbolized authority and justice to Zili Huang, Secretary-General of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Model United Nations.
An introductory video of the committees was shown after that. 5 committees were set up in the conference, covering heated issues ranging all the way from climate change and refugee issue to cyber security and women empowerment. During the conference, delegates would adhere to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reaffirm the theme of “Narrowing gaps, bridging divergence, seeking consensus, rebuilding trust” which was proposed by Secretary General Mr. Guterres. After that Student Secretary-General Zili Huang gave speeches and announced the opening of the conference.
Yana Zuo, faculty member of SIPA, was also invited to give a speech to all delegates on the topic of “Power and Peace— United Nations’ role and effect in a changing world”.
Our contemporary world has witnessed great development, great revolution and great adjustments, with global challenges emerging one after another, relations between super powers growing more complicated and changeable, and unpredictable factors increasing exponentially. The committee hoped this conference can enable young people to have a profound understanding of the ideology of peace and development of the United Nations, and at the same time contribute their wisdom and power to promote the advancement of the community of shared future for mankind.