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Third Macau Secondary School Model United Nations Conference Successfully Concludes

2024-08-09

09

Aug

09/08/2024

The “Third Macau Secondary School Model United Nations Conference” co-organised by the Macau Model United Nations Promotion Association (MMUNPA), the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Macao Observatory for Social Development, was held from the 9th to the 11th of August at USJ.



The “Third Macau Secondary School Model United Nations Conference” co-organised by the Macau Model United Nations Promotion Association (MMUNPA), the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), and the Macao Observatory for Social Development of USJ, was held from the 9th to the 11th of this month at the University of Saint Joseph Ilha Verde campus in Macau. The event brought together 150 secondary school students from 30 schools across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.

The event was supervised by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth Hong Kong and the United Nations University Institute of Macau, with support from the Macau Ricci Institute, Caritas Macau, Caritas Macau – Life Hope Hotline, Macau Special Olympics, Macau Catholic School Association, Geography and Education Research Association of Macau, Macau Professional Speaking Association, The Macao Association of Teachers Volunteers, Society of Food and Environmental Health Macao, Zero Distance Cooperative, Macau Professional and Graduates Toastmasters Club, Macau Association for the Advancement of Diversified Development, Language Exchange and Cultural Promotion Association, and the Young Men’s Christian Association of Macao. The event aimed to enhance the international civic consciousness of secondary students by simulating formal meetings, encouraging them to explore global issues from an international perspective, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enhance team spirit and leadership abilities, and promote the academic atmosphere and social participation of Model United Nations in Macau.

The conference featured three committees, covering topics related to current and past, global and local affairs including improvement of contemporary mental health mechanisms, animal rights in Macau and incidents in the UK in 1914.

During the event, six academic seminars and two keynote speeches were held, covering topics such as regional history and social issues, animal protection, sustainable development goals, youth development, and sharing experiences about education in various regions.

Min Yang from the United Nations University Institute of Macau opened the conference with a keynote speech on “The Role of Youth in Promoting Sustainable Development,” advocating for youth to contribute to the widespread application of information technology. Julie Cheang, Secretary-General of this conference and Vice President of MMUNPA expressed her hopes that the delegates would embrace the MMUNPA’s motto to “Think global, Impact local” encouraging them to think globally and transcend traditional boundaries. Jacky Ho Chong Kin from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Saint Joseph Macau urged delegates to demonstrate their critical thinking abilities and collaborate on ways to foster social progress.

At the closing ceremony, Toby Lau, Coordinator of the SDSN Youth Hong Kong, shared updates on the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals. In his closing remarks, Leonardo Lei, President of the Association, expressed his hope that the youth would continue to embody the spirit of Model United Nations, working together to build a better world.