Global dimension: Korea University holds Model UN

Korea University opened the 2012 Model United Nations conference Tuesday as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of the school’s Division of International Studies (DIS).



The conference runs until Friday at the university’s Inchon Memorial Hall and International Studies Hall. The event is co-hosted by the Nuclear Security Summit Preparatory Secretariat, the Seoul office of United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Development Program.

The Model UN is a meeting that mimics conferences held at the United Nations. At the gathering, high school and college students debate on global issues and draw up a resolution. About 400 students are participating in this year’s event.

“The Model UN allows students to understand the role and activities of the UN and affiliated organizations through direct participation. It’s a great opportunity for students to build their capabilities as future leaders,” said Chung Suh-yong, a professor at DIS who is supervising the event. “Since the Nuclear Security Summit will be held in Seoul this March and since the organization is co-hosting the event, it will be an opportunity for students to discuss and learn about nuclear security issues.”

At the conference, the dean of DIS Park Sung-Hoon, the head of the UNDP’s Seoul office Anne-Isabelle Degryse-Blateau, and Anne Mary Campbell, the representative of UNHCR’s Seoul office, along with other important figures in the diplomatic circle will discuss “the role of international organizations in the globalized era.”