News

April 15-17 the Model United Nations was held at the sports and recreation complex "Brigantina" BSU in an outdoor format. The Model was organized by  International Public Association for Scientific and Research and Informational and Educational Programs "Evolutio” and the Faculty of International Relations of the Belarusian State University with the support of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Office in the Republic of Belarus.

Participants of the event are students from the Belarusian State University, the Belarusian State Economic University, the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, the Minsk State Linguistic University, the Polotsk State University, the F. Skaryna Gomel State University, the Y. Kupala State University of Grodno and the P. M. Masherov Vitebsk State University.

During the conference FIRMUN-2021/1 three committees were modeled: Security Council and the UNHCR Executive Committee (in English) and Security Council in Russian. The carrying out of the conference was consecrated to the 70th anniversary of the UNHCR and the 100th anniversary of the BSU.

Model UN opened on April 15 with trainings for delegates at the Faculty of International Relations and continued with an Opening ceremony, where Andrey Selivanov, Executive Director of the INA "Evolutio", and Kristina Ermak, Secretary General of FIRMUN, delivered their introductory speeches. They wished participants productive discussions, excitement and skills to find solutions to the worldwide problems of concern. Right after the Opening ceremony the MUN's participants began the discussions of agenda within their committees.

April 16 heated debates took place. Delegates learned to cooperate in order to find the most suitable solution to the determined agenda. Delegates of Security Council, which was modeled in English, held discussions on topics such as territorial disputes between Turkey, Cyprus and Grecce and forced displacement as a factor triggering involvement of children into armed conflicts. As a result, a resolution was adopted on each agenda.

UNHCR delegates had for the discussion the issue of access of refugees to COVID-19 vaccine and access of stateless persons, refugees to administrative procedures in the country of asylum. Active debates led to the adoption of resolutions aimed at resolving the problem at the end of each day.

The meetings of Security Council modeled in Russian focused on the situation in South China Sea and current state of affairs in Syria. As a result of fruitful debates, despite the contradictions, two resolutions were adopted.

On April 17, the final day of Model UN, an Emergency Session was held in a format of UN General Assembly Meeting. Delegates were to work out a unified solution to the problems that had arisen in an ever-changing environment. The topic of the Emergency session was the search for cause and solution of political crisis that has arisen in conflict region.

After the Emergency session, the Closing ceremony was held, where the results of spring session of FIRMUN were summed up and the best delegates awars foung their winners:

• Alexander Konopelko (United Kingdom) in the Security Council (in English);
• Yana Harb (Lebanon), Vladislava Butenko (Afghanistan) and Alesya Drobushevich (USA) in the UNHCR Executive Committee;
• Alexander Chubatsiyuk (France) and Anastasia Schlotgauer (China) in the Security Council (in Russian).

Traditionally, during the Model UN, a competition was held to present the policy of country. The winners were Elena Dorofeychik, Jan Deschenya and Alina Skomoroshchenko.
All participants were awarded certificates of participation, and the winners received memorable prizes and diplomas.

On behalf of the organizers, we congratulate you on your successful Modeling and look forward to seeing you again!