UN Tanzania sends six students to GMUN summit in Korea

Edward Lwidiko giving a speech at GMUN.

A group of Tanzania youth attending GMUN in Korea

UN Tanzania sends six students to GMUN summit in Korea.

United Nations in Tanzania has sent six students to attend the Global Model UN summit which is currently taking place from the 10-14 August, 2011 in Incheon, Korea. The theme for this year is Sustainable Development: Advancing human progress in harmony with nature.

The Global Model UN is an initiative of the United Nations to connect youth to the UN, educate them about the UN, listen and amplify their views and engage them in global issues.

The Tanzanian students who received funding from the UN Tanzania Communications group are Malick Salum of Muhimbili Medical University, Manase Kavishe of the University of Dodoma, Leslie Stephen Leslie of Saint Augustine University of Tanzania, Judith Salvio Kapinga from the University of Dar es Salaam, Lufunda Grace Solomon from Mipango University in Dodoma and Edward Lwidiko Mhamilawa from Muhimbili University College of Health and Allied Sciences.

During the summit the students will don the hats of country ambassadors to the UN and look at the issues their various countries face and would like to discuss in the UN summit. The Tanzanian students will represent several countries including Spain, Vietnam, Malaysia among other countries.

Selection of the students was based on their active membership in the UN Chapters or clubs in 30 Tanzanian universities which work closely with UNIC. It is expected that upon their return these active students will be able to share their experiences with their families and colleagues and also to further the discussions on UN priorities which include the Millennium Development Goals set for 2015.

Last year UN Tanzania sent one child to the Global Model Model UN which was held in Malaysia. Tanzania is one of the eight pilot countries of the UN Reform of Delivering as One. Joint efforts of various UN organs facilitated an increased number of students who attended this years GMUN summit.

The annual event is open to university students aged 18-26 and more information is available on http://www.un.org/gmun/