Leading University Intra-MUN Conference 2024

Leading University Intra Model United Nations Conference 2024, themed "Fostering International Cooperation for Peacebuilding and Durable Solutions in Conflict Zones," has been successfully conducted by the Leading University Model United Nations Association (LUMUNA), in the lush green campus of Leading University, Sylhet. Dewan Sonubar Raza Chowdhury served as Secretary General, with Kushol Kanti Dey as Chief Conference Consultant. The closing ceremony was chaired by LUMUNA's Advisor, Ashfaque Ahmad Shovon.

The Conference was two days long, from 20th to 21st September. There were 143 delegates and 13 executive board members in 5 committees. The students were all current students of Leading University, many of them in their first year. The executive board panel, on the other hand, consisted of prominent members of the MUN Circuit of Bangladesh. 

The committees with their respective agendas were:

1. United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Ensuring the Protection of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories

2. United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):  Developing Reconstruction Plans and Economic Empowerment in War-Torn Areas

3. International Court of Justice (ICJ): Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [Qatar v. United Arab Emirates]

4. Specialized Committee on Bangladesh Affairs (SCBA): Ensuring Sustainable Development and Youth Dependent Bangladesh to Face Economic Crisis [বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ক বিশেষায়িত পরিষদ: অর্থনৈতিক সংকট মোকাবেলায় টেকসই উন্নয়ন ও তারুণ্যনির্ভর বাংলাদেশ নিশ্চিতকরণ]

5. United Nations News Agency (UNNA): Challenges and Risks for Journalists in Occupied Territories; Promoting Peacebuilding and Development Through Storytelling; Advocating Freedom of Information 

Despite many being first-timers, they have shown great enthusiasm and resilience by actively being involved in research, diplomatic talks, negotiations, and teamwork – to bring about feasible solutions to the problems addressed. The notable delegates have received awards for their contributions to the Committee Sessions. 

The Opening Plenary President of the Conference was Fahim Alam Showmik, former Vice President of LUMUNA while Swarup Das Dipto, the former President of LUMUNA, presided as the Closing Plenary President. 

The Closing Ceremony was attended by many former members of LUMUNA, including the Founder Nafis Shohel. He expressed hopes for future growth and international participation. 

To ensure refreshments for the delegates during the hectic Committee Sessions and create a sense of bonding amongst the delegates, the Secretariat has prepared a social event where the performers included former members of LUMUNA. Tribute was made to the martyrs of the recent Student Movement of July, through a group song dedicated to their memories. 

Amidst the scorching heat on the first day and rainy weather on the second, the Conference ended with a satisfying closure, with the delegates, executive board panel and secretariat alike awaiting the next edition of the Leading University International Model United Nations (LUIMUN) Conference shortly.