SAI International, one of the leading educational Groups of India at Bhubaneswar, with a commitment of purposeful education in the K-12 educational space of the country hosted the annual SAI Model United Nations Conference on July 29th & 30th, 2022 in a blended format (Offline and Online). The conference was attended by over 720 delegates from across 6 countries including Japan, UAE, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and India.
In the 10th Edition of SAIMUN conducted this year, it was heartening to see such a large and enthusiastic group of young adults representing themselves as sincere delegates, engaged in solving conflicts affiliated to daunting global issues. Together, they represented the Model United Nations for its true essence as it should be: people from all countries coming together to find solutions to problems through constructive debate and an exchange of ideas. The national & international issues discussed this year were unnerving but like every year, the young delegates proved to be catalysts for positive change with innovative approaches to help confront the challenges facing the global community in the areas of climate change, global health, counter-terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation.
The ceremonial opening was marked with a blend of divinity and ‘oneness of the world’ through a musical presentation by the school choir. The Secretary General addressed the gathering and acknowledged everyone’s presence & introduced the Participating Country Delegates, Executive Board Members & International Press. Following this, the welcome address was delivered by by Dr. Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International. SAIMUN 2022 was formally declared open by the esteemed Chief Guest Hon'ble Minister Shri Samir Ranjan Das, Department of School & Mass Education, Government of Odisha. He congratulated the delegates by saying that he was happy to see delegates from across the globe gather at SAI International to discuss world issues, such an event will not only keep the students aware of the current situations but also instils in them leadership and problem-solving skills. The vote of thanks was then delivered by Shri Nilakantha Panigrahi, Director Academics & Sr. Principal, SAI International School.
SAIMUN 2022 was swathed by 14 OAVS (Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan) Schools from Balangir, Bargarh, Deogarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandmahal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabrangpur, Nuapada, and Subarnapur districts who proactively participated in the invigorating 2-day deliberation.
15 Round Square school, Okinawa Amicus International and Kogakuin Senior High School of Kogakuin University participated from Japan, Starehe Boys Centre and School from Kenya, Indian High School from UAE and Cadet College Hasanabdal from Pakistan were a part of the delegation from abroad at SAIMUN 2022. The Indian Round Square Schools namely modern School, Barakhamba, New Delhi, The Doon School form Dehradun, Singapore International School from Mumbai, Global Public School from Kochi, Delhi Public School, Rohini, New Delhi, Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior, DAV Modern School, Chandigarh, K. C Public School, Jammu, Sun Beam Varuna Varanasi, Sun Beam Lahartara Varanasi, L.K. Singhania Education Centre Gotan, Rajasthan, Yadavindra Public School, Patiala and Step by Step from Noida participated as RS Schools from India. New AL Warood School from Dubai also participated in the SAIMUN 2022.
Students from Shri Harsha Memorial, a SAI International adopted School for deaf and mute sparkled the global forum with their bright smiles.
SAIMUN 2022, had total 11 committees each for Classes IX-X and XI-XII, with interesting and stimulating agendas on global policies. This year the XI and XII committees included Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL), United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), and United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Committees for Classes IX and X included United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Security Council (UNSC), International Labour Organization (ILO), World Health Organization (WHO), and Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM)
The SAIMUN 2022 philosophy prominently forged around this axiom of internationalism, more this year as compared to the previous years. The ideals of internationalism were aligned with the international context of world affairs through discussions that promoted a sensitive understanding of world affairs.