Fifth edition of SOA International Model United Nations kicks off

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Bhubaneswar: The conflict in Ukraine, women’s participation in public life and drug abuse are among the subjects that will be discussed at the three-day 5th edition of SOA International Model United Nations (SOAMUN) which kicked off at SOA here on Friday.

Around 500 students from across the country and also other countries are participating in the event organised by SOA to provide the students the feel of United Nations through simulation as they learn and understand issues of diplomacy, international relations and the United Nations itself.

Organisers said the MUN will review the existing international treaties to promote medicinal and scientific use of cannabis while preventing its abuse, promotion of women’s participation in public life and decision making with special emphasis on addressing gender based violence and steps to avoid healthcare emergency in Ukraine following the Russian aggression.

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Besides, the issue of re-establishment of peace in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will be another subject to be discussed by the student delegates.

Five committees have been introduced in SOAMUN this time – UN General Assembly Disarmament and International Security Committee (UNGA-DISEC), World Health Assembly (WHA), UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and International Press (IP).

Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SOA, who was the chief guest at the inaugural function, said it augured well for the future that young students were thinking of global issues and seeking solutions to the same. The world was facing many challenges with climate change being one of the biggest, he said.

“One of the urgent goals of the UN is climate change and to ensure peace in the world. Such events will make you aware and conscious about the world situation,” he told the participants.

Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare), SOA and Convenor of SOAMUN, Dr. Sourjya Ranjan Das, Co-Convenor, Saswat Mohapatra, Secretary General and Uma Shankar Biswal, Director General of SOAMUN also spoke.