Saphia Essop visit to the 2018 United Ambassador-Model UN Conference, Geneva

Posted on March 14, 2019

Model United Nations is a simulation of the proceedings of the United Nations. The programme runs worldwide and provides students with an opportunity to experience the world as diplomats- discussing and negotiating real-world issues. These simulations bring together people from the most remote parts of the world, thrust them into one room and ask them to come together, share in their cultural diversity and solve some of the world’s most pressing issues.  

The United Ambassadors Conference 2018 was held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Political Science Department at the University of Pretoria was generous to grant me an opportunity to attend the conference and represent not only the university but South Africa. On the first day, excitement was tangible in the air, as students of all ages and from all walks of life gathered in a great hall and donned earpieces to begin the day’s proceedings. Speakers gathered their wits and attempted to look calm as their nervousness threatened to burst the seams of their business suits. The opening plenary session commenced with talks and seminars about the utmost importance of the United Nations and all delegates were given a glimpse into what our futures could look like as representatives of our country. The next day, committee sessions started. My role was to represent the People’s Republic of China in the UN Security Council. Our committee dealt specifically with the Rohingya Refugee Crisis and the peace and security issues that arise therein. Three days of negotiation and – at times tense – resolution drafting later, the committee became the first one to pass a resolution that had to do with that specific crisis. It is a rarity in the Security Council to see compromise and consensus actually work. We all felt undoubtedly accomplished.

Aside from the valuable knowledge that I was able to learn, the conference provided an opportunity to meet current and future diplomats, world-renowned lawyers, and leaders of international organizations. It was an incredible opportunity to be surrounded by people who wish to make a difference in this world. This incredible opportunity has since led me down a path to the United Nations Association of South Africa, in which I act in the capacity of Model UN Program Coordinator for the Pretoria Chapter.  I would like to thank the University of Pretoria for this absolutely out of this world experience, and especially, the Head of the Political Department at UP, Professor Zondi.

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