2010 - East Africa Model United Nations Conference Kicks off at the UN Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya

.Voices of youthful delegates have been heard starting on 16 to 19 February 2010 as the East Africa Model United Nations Conference kicked off at the UN Complex in Nairobi. The annual conference, which marked its 28th anniversary, was opened by Mr. Salim Amin, the Chairman of A24 Media in Kenya.

The Conference comes at a time when the world is grappling with climate change issues and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Currently, momentum is beginning to build up leading to a special MDG summit in September 2010 in New York.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Salim Amin reminded the young delegates of the power of the media to bring to fore challenges and opportunities being faced by Africa and the rest of the world in addressing poverty.  He said his organization was established to give a voice to Africa to tell its story from a different perspective.

“The images my father took still represent much of what people think of Africa 25 years on – starving children with flies in their eyes, executions and genocide that we continue to see on international news channels. We can only combat that trend if we have true influence on what is reported, covered and said about Africa, ” he elaborated.

Addressing the same gathering, the Deputy Secretary General of the Conference emphasized on the need to acknowledge and respect religious diversity. “Why is it that so often, two people not of the same religion, cannot come together to talk about religion without having some sort of tension or conflict?” he questioned.

He urged fellow delegates to appreciate efforts which have been made in bringing young people together to afford them the opportunity to discuss global issues such as poverty eradication, access to education, clean water and a better life for all.

The high school students who are from different Eat African countries are competitively selected to participate in the conference representing the 192 Member States of the UN. 
The meeting will take three days and is expected to come up with recommendations and resolutions on various political, economic and security issues.

More than 800 students are participating in the Model UN which UNIC Nairobi assisted in organizing.

For more information contact Ms Eshila Maravanyika, email: nairobi.unic@unon.org