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 officially on Friday 3 August 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 was “The Millennium Development Goals: Fulfilling our human rights!” To complement the theme from EARMUN 2006, this year’s conference focused on MDGs number 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The conference sought to develop ways in which the youth can help in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, delegates were 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.

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

Delegates as a result were 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 the participants had a deeper understanding of the MDGs, and were empowered to take an active role in their respective countries to ensure development takes place for a brighter future for Africa and its youth.