Feature

UNYSAB- Leadership through Volunteerism

Shuvashish Roy

THE United Nations Youth and Students association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB) is a voluntary youth and student movement for United Nations. It is dedicated to convey the voice of young generation regarding current global issues such as MDG, CoP, human rights and development, environment, disarmament and social justice. It is an excellent environment for development of organizational and leadership skills, intellectual abilities and research orientation. UNYSAB started its journey in the year 2001. The founder president of UNYSAB Shaikh Imtiaz Shimul obtained the concept of UNYSAB from the Model United Nations Conferences which are organized in the country with much success to promote the UN ideals, system and way of life. This youth association has today become one of the leading platforms for youth to convey their voice both in national and international arena. UNYSAB's vision is to create a self reliant youth that volunteer for their own causes and come forward to help and mitigate problems and create awareness. It works on mobilizing a socially conscious section of society aimed at making things better for next generation's youth by changing mindsets of these generations' leaders.

As a student's movement for the United Nations, UNYSAB aims to construct the views and the ideas in cooperation with the purposes and principles of the U.N. movement and for the promotion of public awareness in the activities of the United Nations and its agencies. It also aims to motivate and sensitize the youth in taking positive concerted actions for the global harmony, cultural interactions and the knowledge exchange.

Organizing MUN (Model United Nations) at the school, college and university level is one of the principle activities of UNYSAB. UNYSAB also organizes seminars and workshops and other promotional activities on the issues concerning major global problems or on personal development. Teams from UNYSAB regularly participate in MUN around the world to enhance the diplomatic abilities. Other key activities include commemorating major UN days and organizing cultural exchange programs.

The Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda. While playing their roles as ambassadors, student 'delegates' make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure - all in the interest of mobilizing 'international cooperation' to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.

Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research on the issue that their house will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. Model UN delegates also look closely at the needs, goals and foreign policies of the countries they will represent at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation when the role playing gets under way.

The delegates' in-depth knowledge of their countries guarantees a lively and memorable experience.

The 1st WFUNA MUN for Asia Pacific 2004 in Beijing was the first time that UNYSAB participated in the international Model UN Conference. UNYSAB achieved a good rank in 2nd WFUNA MUN for Asia and Asia Pacific 2004 held in Delhi. But it was in AIMUN 2007, Beijing, China when UNYSAB team illustrated a great show by achieving the Best Delegation Award. Farheena Rahman, one of the members of that team, had been awarded the Best Diplomat Award. For the first time, UNYSAB participated in World MUN conferences, 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland where Bangladesh delegation performed magnificently and four of their proposals had been included in the final resolution adopted by the WHO committee regarding Children and HIV/AIDS. UNYSAB participated in AIMUN 2008, Beijing, China and received the Best Delegation Award once again. In the same year, UNYSAB participated in APMUN, Republic of Korea.

From the formation of this association, UNYSAB has organized many successful events countrywide. Organizing MUN throughout the country is UNYSAB's major national event. In its first year, UNYSAB observed International Women's day and Family Day, organized seminars on UN System and MUN and campaigned against racism. It was just a start, and till today it works on many social issues. Debate Competition on Millennium Development Goals is one of the steps taken by UNYSAB to promote this world issue and was successfully organized in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Khulna and Rajshahi. Stand-up against poverty is another voice raised by UNYSAB to diminish the world poverty. The event was held in prestigious institutes like Dhaka University, Holy Family Medical College, North South University, East West University, Notre Dame College, Aga Khan School, Mastermind School, European Standard School and Gulshan Youth Club. Red Ribbon Run is a similar kind of event organized by UNYSAB. This innovative program was the first attempt of its type in Bangladesh intended to attract young people to get to know about HIV and AIDS and its impact in Bangladesh. UNYSAB's great success was the First SAARC Youth Camp-Dhaka, 2007 where they worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Youth in organizing the event. 69 delegates from Bangladesh and 41 delegates from the SAARC country participated in the program. Other national events include participation in National Youth Fair 2008, organizing special events in Dhaka Metropolitan Scout Jamboree and arranging seminars on climate change.

UNYSAB heartily welcomed its new members by organizing a 'Fresher's Reception' on March 20, 2009 at Public Library seminar room, Shahbag, Dhaka. Kazi Ali Reza, the Officer-in-Charge of United Nations Information Center (UNIC) attended the program as the chief guest. UNYSAB's founding president Shaikh Imtiaz Shimul, former president Taufiqul Islam Joarder and the current president Nafiz Imtiaz were also present as special guests. In their speeches, the speakers emphasized on the importance of developing leadership skills through voluntary works which is the main motto of UNYSAB.