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UCA Hosts First Model United Nations Conference in Naryn

Over 50 students participated at the University of Central Asia’s first Model United Nations (UCAMUN) Conference on April 1st at the UCA Naryn Campus in Kyrgyzstan. The conference provided a platform for students to learn about the complexities of international relations through a United Nations simulation. They discussed three topics including promoting women’s involvement in government, the social cultural adaptation of migrants in the European Union, and the threat of nuclear proliferation.

Dr Diana Pauna, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at UCA welcoming participants.

“By locating its campus in Naryn, UCA is bringing development to remote areas in Kyrgyzstan,” said Diana Bekibaeva from Ala-Too International University. “It was a good idea to organise this event at UCA, as it gave the students from Bishkek a chance to see other universities and other regions.”
 
Students from Naryn State University, AUCA, Ala-Too International University, International University of Central Asia, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, the Westminster International University in Tashkent, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Academy in Bishkek, Bishkek Turkish High School, AUCA Bilimkana School, Turkish High School in Naryn, and UCA in Naryn and Khorog, Tajikistan participated in the conference.
 
“I have participated in 22 international MUN conferences in different countries. The UCAMUN conference was very nice, and was held on an amazing campus,” said Tolib Mustofaev, participant from Westminster International University in Tashkent. “All students were talented, and have good understanding and critical thinking skills. I could not believe that they were first time participants of the conference.”


Student delegates represented different countries as part of the MUN stimulation.

One of the objectives of the UCAMUN conference was to educate young people in the arts of debate, negotiation, and public speaking by providing a forum in which they can hone their skills. “The conference was well organised, and helped us learn about some really urgent issues and come up with solutions. All students were very knowledgeable, and had good experience in public presentations and debating,” said Bakai Abdykul uulu of AUCA.

Background Information on UCA

UCA was founded in 2000 as a private, not for profit, secular university through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan; ratified by their respective parliaments, and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of the University and His Highness is the Chancellor. UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities, by offering an internationally recognised standard of higher education, and enabling the peoples of the region to preserve their rich cultural heritage as assets for the future. UCA brings with it the broader commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network.