NECMUN brings 160 North Cyprus high-school students into student diplomacy conference

The first NECMUN Model United Nations conference has opened in North Nicosia, bringing together 160 high-school students from schools across North Cyprus, according to a report by Halkin Sesi.

The three-day event is taking place in four halls at Near East University’s Grand Library. Students are representing different countries and developing proposals on economic, political and social issues through a simulation of the United Nations’ working structure.

Held in English, the conference is intended to give students practical experience in international relations, diplomacy, negotiation and consensus-building. Participants are taking part not only as delegates but also in planning, committee work, coordination and media activities.

The student organising team includes Secretary-General Nisa Delibaş, Deputy Secretary-General Defne Solyalı, General Assembly President Abdallah Oğuz Elerian, Deputy President Adil Han Öztürk, Media President Meyra Baştaş, and chief organisers Deniz Şahkudeler and Dila Karaderi, the report said.

Girne MP Jale Refik Rogers delivered the opening speech. She said diplomacy and negotiation depend on listening to and understanding different perspectives as well as expressing one’s own position.

Yakın Doğu Initiative Schools Trustee Board member Associate Professor Cemre Günsel Haskasap said the conference’s gathering of students from different schools around a diplomacy table could broaden their perspectives and increase awareness of international issues.