5th Macau Model United Nations Conference

The ‘5th Macau Model United Nations Conference’, organised by the Macau Model United Nations Promotion Association, the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at the University of Saint Joseph, and Macau Observatory for Social Development, was held from the 6th to the 9th of this month at the University of Saint Joseph's Ilha Verde campus in Macau. The conference attracted a total of 159 participants from 30 secondary schools and four universities in Macao, Hong Kong, Beijing, the United Kingdom, Xiamen (Fujian), Panyu (Guangzhou) and Huizhou.

The conference was supervised by SDSN Youth Hong Kong and the United Nations University Institute in Macau, and co-organised by the Macau Geography and Education Research Association. Supporting units include Education and Youth Development Bureau(Macao), Institute of European Studies of Macau, Macau Ricci Institute, Caritas-Life Hope Hotline of Macau, Macao Catholic Schools Association, Macau Special Olympics, Macau Professional Speaking Association, Zero Distance Cooperative, Society of Food and Environmental Health (Macao),  Professional and Graduates Toastmasters Club, British Chamber of Commerce in Macao, 369 Coop Town, Macau Language Exchange and Culture Promotion Association, Macao Heritage Ambassadors Association, Macao Cultural Heritage Reinventing Studies Association, The Macao Association of Teachers Volunteers, and Macau Association for the Advancement of Diversified Development (in no particular order).

The event aims to help students develop global perspectives, collaborative skills and leadership abilities through learning about international issues, articulating their views, debating policies and simulating the process of representing their respective delegations to adopt resolutions. It is also hoped that the event will help promote the 'Model United Nations' culture in Macau.

This year, the conference featured four committee sessions and opened registration to university students for the first time. The sessions included a Cantonese secondary school session of the Model United Nations Disarmament and International Security Committee, a Cantonese session for secondary and university students of the Model House of Commons of the United Kingdom, an English session of the Model Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee and a Mandarin session of the Model United Nations Security Council. The topics span across the fields of technology, politics, international security and humanitarian affairs. Six academic seminars, as well as two opening and closing keynote speeches were held during the event, covering topics such as sustainable development, international relations, digital ethics and further studies across different regions.

Dr Yang Min, a researcher at the United Nations University Institute in Macau, delivered the opening keynote speech on 'Intercultural communication as a core competency'. Ms Sandy Chow, a council member of the Macau Model United Nations Promotion Association and secretary-general of the conference, encouraged the participating delegates to engage with current international issues and translate the conclusions of their discussions into future action. Dr Jacky Ho, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at the University of Saint Joseph, encouraged young participants to seize the opportunity to explore solutions to geopolitical tensions and trust crises and to become advocates for peace and sustainability. 

At the closing ceremony, Mr Toby Lau, coordinator of SDSN Youth Hong Kong, shared his vision for the sustainable development of Hong Kong and Macau. Dr. Jacky Ho emphasised that progress in human society can only be achieved by finding consensus while acknowledging differences. Mr Leo Lei, President of the Supervisory Board of the association, once again expressed his gratitude to all sectors of society for their support of the event.