Delegates representing the different member states of the United Nations (UN) raise their placards during a plenary voting procedure. Photo from the official Facebook page of International Studies Department, Ateneo de Davao University
Students from different Universities in the country convened at Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) last July 28 for the annual Ateneo Model United Nations (AMUN), a three-day conference organized by Ateneo International Studies Students Organization (AISSO) of ADDU in partnership with Ateneo Association of European Studies (AAEUS) of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).
With the theme, “Bringing Awareness to the Challenges of Mobility and Migration through Global Cooperation”, the conference tackles about international relations and foreign policies in between different countries with heavy emphasis on mobility and migration.
AISSO Auditor Leorena Grace Dahan said about the theme and purpose of the conference.
“As an IS student, dapat ma-familiarize ka in formulating international policies. So ito ‘yun siya. You’ll talk about foreign policies and issues na assigned sa inyo,” Dahan explained.
The first two days are dedicated to workshop held at the Multi-Purpose Room and Internet Reservation Rooms of Miguel Pro Study Center and Board Rooms at the 7th floor, Finster Building.
Meanwhile, the third day for a UN simulation is to be held at Ricci Hall – Conference Rooms C and D, Community Center of the First Companions.
Princess Kan Chua, AISSO President, also pointed out that AMUN promotes debates and discourses during the sessions.
“The talks will tackle situational events and issues with, ‘yun nga, emphasis on mobility and migration,” she added.
This year’s AMUN is the first conference to be hosted and to be held outside ADMU.
“First time ito nangyari na iba na naman ang nag-host kasi dati, ADMU talaga ang nagho-host. Tapos sa susunod naman, sa ibang Ateneo school na naman, if ever,” Hoshime Sambayon, treasurer of AISSO, said.
The conference is an invitational event, with invitations sent out to different Universities with whom the organizers have links with, in terms of IS students organizations. It is a student-led event with little intervention from teachers and professors promoting experience for the student organizers.
According to the AISSO officers, teachers and professors are there as guides of the students and as their guardians for the event since most come from different areas of the country.
A total of 66 delegates are present coming from nine participating schools, namely: ADDU, ADMU, De La Salle University, De La Salle—College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Liceo de Cagayan University, Xavier University, and University of Santo Tomas.
AMUN is the flagship project of AAEUS that aims to provide a platform for young student-delegates to learn and practice diplomatic skills in a globally relevant platform. It is a three-day conference that tackles foreign relations, providing discourse on several international issues, simulating a UN Congress.
The conference is still ongoing until July 30.