FCO outreach – Model UN Development Programme, Istanbul, Turkey by Nour Sidawi

We are all inhabitants of this planet. No matter what language we speak, colour we are, or background we are from, we all have a duty, for the sake of mankind, to lend a hand to make a change for the better. The power to make a change lies within each and every one of us. This was the message that the Model United Nations Development Programme (MUNDP) Conference in Istanbul, Turkey was sought to deliver: that our voices really do matter, and that a real difference can be made if we use them.

The Koç School in Istanbul, Turkey hosted their fourteenth MUNDP Conference from 6 March to 9 March. The conference, which consisted of 16-18 year olds from both Turkey and abroad, was where students came together to solve the developmental challenges that the UN Development Programme (UNDP) faces. Currently, it is the only conference in the world that models the UNDP and the 2014 focus area was Africa. I travelled to The Koç School to see how an MUN Conference works and why we at the FCO should get involved.

At MUN global issues were addressed head on, hands were joined together to not only envision a better world, but to work to achieve it. MUN is where students can create a voice for themselves that can be heard; it gave the students an arena where they found themselves capable of doing anything about the issues within it. They gave a voice to those who cannot speak: they spoke for the nations that have no voice, for the countries at war and in turmoil, for the forces of nature that will one day destroy our planet.

They lent an ear to those who would not otherwise listen. They made a change in a world which otherwise might not find a solution. They gained the ability to say “Yes, something can be done”. These students created peace and found solutions to the problems of this world. They chose to show the leaders of the world that if High School students could do it, then so could they.

MUN is a lifestyle, where the students strive to represent the values the United Nations prides itself on. They build up an understanding and knowledge of the world they live in. The highlight of the MUN experience is the great connections they make, the cultures they encounter and the new outlook on life that they gain. “I became a delegate/chair in many national and international conferences, but none of them felt like MUNDP. What we try to spread here is, firstly, companionship – no one should leave without having made new friends. People should enjoy their experiences in order to achieve their aims.” said Deniz Ergin, Deputy Secretary General of Organization, The Koç School.

MUN helps all that participate in it to grow into leaders, discover their futures and become confident in themselves: “Organising a conference differs from being a participant: you know every single attendee and the schedule of every single day. There is always someone needing your help; I remember the many times my phone rang at 4 o’clock in the morning with someone from my team asking for advice.

To tell you the truth, all of those moments were enjoyable. I realized we were a family when it was all was over. I hope our friends from all over the world also cherished their MUNDP experience,” said Ertunga Sarısözen, Secretary General of Organization, The Koç School.

I would like to extend my gratitude to The Koç School for their kindness and hospitality. The MUN experience is an intellectually stimulating and rewarding experience which opens one’s eyes to the possibilities and opportunities of growth. In this arena, the FCO can touch lives, and in touching lives, we will be touching the future.

Nour Sidawi