Curtin Malaysia student speaks at International Model United Nations

Miri – 22 February 2017 – Shaikh Tahmid Hassin, a mass communication student of Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) had the honour of speaking as a representative of the Model United Nations of Curtin Malaysia (MUN.CM) at the recent 3rd Annual World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) International Model United Nations, also known as WIMUN.

The event was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 1 to 4 February and attended by over 850 delegates from around the world.

Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation in which university students employ their skills of diplomacy, international relations and the code and conducts of the United Nations. The Model United Nations of Curtin Malaysia (MUN.CM) was formed in 2011 and currently has over 25 members. Its members actively participate in international MUN events and organises events of its own at the Curtin Malaysia campus.

WIMUN follows the UN4MUN approach to simulating UN meetings where it offers the most accurate simulation of the UN and provides participants an insight into the functions of the world body. UN officials or delegates are invited to speak on the topics for each committee and topics selected are from the actual UN agenda. Through this format, the delegates are able to better understand the topics and how these topics are debated, negotiated and implemented in real life.

Shaikh, who hails from Bangladesh, is the current Deputy Secretary-General of MUN.CM and one of the founding members of the annual Borneo Model United Nations Conference hosted by Curtin Malaysia.

He was selected by Curtin Malaysia to attend WIMUN based on his performance at the Global MUN Conference held at BRAC University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as well as his achievements over the years as a participant at several international MUN conferences in Asia.

Shaikh received a scholarship from Curtin Malaysia’s University Life Department to attend the conference at BRAC University.

At WIMUN, Shaikh was appointed a delegate for Sweden at the General Assembly II. He was also one of a select few students chosen to present speeches entitled ‘Building Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Society’ at the opening plenary session that took place in the United Nations General Assembly Hall.

In his speech, Shaikh made a plea to the other 196 member states to put their personal agendas aside and come together for a unified tomorrow. He ended his speech with a quote from former United States President Barack Obama: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

The conference was divided in four parts for university students consisting of the UN Security Council, General Assembly One, Two and Three. Each committee was required to discuss topics such as ‘Maintenance of Peace & Security – Security, Development and Root Causes of Conflict’; ‘Strengthening the Rule of Law & Reforming the Criminal Justice Institutions’; ‘Improving the Coordination of Efforts against the Trafficking in Persons’ and ‘Prohibiting the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and their Destruction’.

Curtin Malaysia will host the Borneo MUN Conference on 25 to 29 September 2017 and delegates from all over Asia are expected to attend. For more information on MUN.CM, visit its Facebook page Model United Nations Curtin Malaysia or email to muncs@curtin.edu.my.

Shaikh presenting his speech on ‘Building Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Society’.

Shaikh at the UN headquarters in New York.