10 May 2019, Tashkent, Uzbekistan - The First High School National Model United Nations "Young Delegate" Conference in Uzbekistan with special focus on crime prevention and criminal justice issues, was organized by the Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia, and supported by the Youth Union of Uzbekistan.
The conference gathered together 70 school students - young enthusiastic participants from all over Uzbekistan, 14 mentors - school teachers, as well as 4 young moderators from Westminster International University, who previously organized Tashkent International MUN Conference for university students.
"The fruitful long-term cooperation with UNODC opens up the possibility for our young people to act as Young Delegates in a Model United National Conferences within the framework of mutual cooperation. Each new initiative is a new step towards educating our youth in the field of international diplomacy, global politics, education for justice and crime prevention" - said Mr. Dilshod Kenzhaev, Deputy Minister of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, welcoming delegates and national representatives at the opening ceremony.
"UNODC supports national youth policy proposed by His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoev, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the United Nations Strategy on Youth 2030. Both these policies aimed at empowering youth to achieve their full potential, realize their rights and be positive agents of change in their communities. Youth is our future and today's youth will be responsible for the tomorrow's sustainable, peace and effective societies. In this regard, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia is committed to promote rule of law and criminal justice, especially among youth" - highlighted Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.
From 10-12 of May, the conference involved simulations of the meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Students had an opportunity to discuss issues of corruption and crime, and to find solutions through diplomatic negotiations. Moreover, MUN simulations provided the school students with opportunities to enhance knowledge in law, international and public relations, politics and history.
More than 3000 school students from Uzbekistan applied for the participation in the Young Delegate Conference and 70 active students were selected by independent Committee consisted of organizers of Tashkent International MUN in Uzbekistan.
The "Young Delegate" Conference served not only as a popular way of learning about the United Nations and empowering youth in the field of international diplomacy, global politics, public speaking, leadership and effective negotiations, but also as a platform to promote crime prevention and criminal justice topic.
It was the first experience for school students from all regions of Uzbekistan to get together and become a part of the United Nations. These young school students will become ambassadors of the MUN simulations at their respective localities. In September-October 2019, the Ministry of Public Education is planning to conduct cascade MUN conferences in the regions of Uzbekistan promoting culture of lawfulness by using new approaches of working with youth.
The "Young Delegate" Conference is organized within the 'Education for Justice Initiative' (E4J), which is a component of the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration. The E4J Initiative seeks to prevent crime and corruption and promote a culture of lawfulness through education activities designed for primary, secondary and tertiary level. These activities aim to help educators teach the youth to better understand and address the problems that can undermine the rule of law and encourage students to actively engage in their communities and future professions in this regard.
The "Young Delegate" Conference applies the Model UN E4J Resource Guide, which was specially created by UNODC as an aid for organizers and students taking part in Model United Nations conferences that address crime prevention, criminal justice and other aspects of the rule of law.
For more information:
Gulnar.kudaybergenova[at]un.org
Gilbrerto.duarte[at]un.org
#Act4RuleofLaw
Education for Justice (E4J) initiative
UNODC in Central Asia on Facebook
unodc-e4jmun[at]un.org
