Eastern Africa Regional Model United Nations Conference (EARMUN)

03 August 2007 - The Eastern Africa Regional Model United Nations (EARMUN) which opened its doors on 31 July 2007, closed officiallly on Friday 3 Auguist 2007. The closing remarks were given by the Director of United Nations Information Centre, (UNIC Nairobi) Mr Eric Falt. The conference brought together over 200 delegates from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (with an additional delegation from UNA Norway). This years conference was a joint venture between The United Nations Youth Association of Kenya (UNYA), Youth of United Nations Association of Tanzania (YUNA), and United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU).
 
EARMUN is a follow-up of the African Regional Model United Nations (ARMUN), organized by The World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA) at Stellenbosch, South Africa in September 2005.

Encompassing the principles of East African integration, cooperation and youth empowerment, this years theme wwasill be “The Millennium Development Goals: Fulfilling our human rights!” To complement the theme from EARMUN 2006, this year’s conference will focus on MDGs number 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The conference seeks to develop ways in which the youth can help in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, delegates are encouraged to go to their individual communities and seek to develop it in any feasible way.

Model United Nations (MUN) is a frequently used and effective tool for disseminating information about the UN and global development issues. MUN gives students the opportunity to represent a country in a simulation of an organ of the United Nations.

The delegates will have to do research, give speeches, discuss and compromise solutions to global issues on behalf of their assigned country. This in turn enables the delegates to look at issues from every side due to the fact the delegates must represent a country that may have different policies than their country of origin.

Delegates as a result are taught the intricate workings of the United Nations where a structured environment is provided where issues are discussed that directly affect them.

By the end of the conference it is hoped that the participants will have a deeper understanding of the MDGs, and will be empowered to take an active role in their respective countries to ensure development takes place for a brighter future for Africa and its youth.