MUNUC - Chongqing No 8 Secondary School Model United Nations Conference kicked off at the Yubei Campus of Chongqing No 8 Secondary School, attracting 200 student delegates in total. Over the 3-day Model UN conference, participants will develop skills in diplomacy, cooperation and critical thinking, helping to cultivate a lifelong global citizenship mindset.

The conference features 6 committees, with the chairs from the team of Model United Nations from the University of Chicago presenting various UN bodies such as the UN General Assembly, UN Economic and Social Council, UN specialized agencies, and crisis committees. Under the guidance of the Model UN directors from the University of Chicago, participating students will gain an in-depth understanding of international affairs, and hone their diplomatic skills, negotiation abilities, and teamwork spirit, while broadening their global perspectives and enhancing their overall capabilities.

"The world is undergoing unprecedented, accelerating changes, with transformations happening at the global, epochal, and historical levels in ways that surpass human comprehension. Today, China and the world need the actions of the youth more than ever," said Zhou Yingchun, Party Secretary of Chongqing No 8 Secondary School, in his address. Participating in the Model UN can enhance the thinking skills of the younger generation in analyzing international rules. The knowledge and insights gained from the Model UN conference will also have far-reaching impacts on their future lives, studies, and careers.

"In the past week, before the Model UN conference, students from Chongqing No 8 Secondary School and other schools have learned important courses such as public speaking, international diplomacy and leadership in the Model UN training camp. This weekend, the students will play the role of diplomats to address jointly some of the most pressing of global issues," said Marcos Lopez II, Secretary-General of the Conference. "If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be - dare to take risks and be courageous in accepting failures! The significance of the Model UN lies not in winning, but in working together to become a leader who can unite others."

The student representatives from Chongqing No 8 Secondary School said that through this Model UN conference, they not only learned more about international affairs, but also truly felt the power and responsibility of the individuals driving global development. They will listen to the views of representatives from other countries with an open mind, and resolve differences with tolerance and wisdom, in order to jointly contribute to building a more peaceful, prosperous and just world.

During the event, retired Chinese diplomats and international relations scholars will also be invited to share their "stories of diplomats" and "China's diplomatic practices" with the participating students.

Model United Nations of the University of Chicago is one of the most influential and largest Model UN conferences in the world, originating in 1988. Every early February, the Model UN home conference held in Chicago, USA attracts over 3,000 high school students from around the globe. Model United Nations of the University of Chicago entered China in 2017, and this conference is the first to be held in western China, following events in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai.