The 14th Model United Nations Session (MUNS) held Monday, April 4, 2011 at the Wyndham Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. Pictured from left are Commodore Roderick Bowe, Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force; Mrs. Anita Allen, President, Court of Appeal; the Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Her Excellency Joan Lady Foulkes; and His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor-General.(BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Students from high schools in the country debated the impact Non-Communicable Diseases and lack of funding for sustainable development have on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) during the 14^th  Model United Nations Session (MUNS) held Monday, April 4, 2011.

Jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas, the simulated United Nations forum was held at the Wyndham Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. The topic was: “With the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development less than two years away, what are the implications for the sustainable development paradigm given the emergency of the green economy, and how should the concerns of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) feature on the agenda?”

The Hon. Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said it was a privilege to witness the confidence displayed by the students as they represented both their schools and UN member countries.

The MUNS is a simulation of the United Nations within an academic platform. The objective is to educate and in part train the participants in matters relating to civics, issues of globalisation, communication and diplomacy.

Students of Aquinas College, representing Japan, won the 14th Model United Nations Session (MUNS) debate held Monday, April 4, 2011 at the Wyndham Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. (BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)

The students from 14 schools throughout The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands were assigned a country, where they took on the role of diplomats and participated in a simulated session of an intergovernmental organisation (IGO).  The debate highlighted the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as The Bahamas and its struggle to control the high prevalence of NCDs, the lack of sustainable development on the same.

Aquinas College emerged the winner of debate; they will accompany the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UN General Assembly in New York.  St Andrews Senior High School placed second and Doris Johnson Senior High School placed third. Other participating schools were: C.C. Sweeting High School, R. M. Bailey Senior High School, Government High School, Sunland Baptist Academy, Cat Island High School, Preston Albury, Lyford Cay School, New Age Academy, St Paul’s College, S C Bootle, and St John’s College. 

“Your involvement in this process signifies a healthy interest in the work of a prestigious and influential multilateral institution such as the United Nations, which increasingly extends it reach to countries such as The Bahamas,” he said.

The MUNS afforded participants a greater appreciation of the mandate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with respect to the formulation, conduct and implementation of foreign policy in the international sphere.

“The Bahamas, though small in size, continues to be recognised as a valuable and responsible member of the international community,” Mr. Symonette said.

Students of Doris Johnson Senior High School represents The Bahamas at the 14th Model United Nations Session (MUNS) held Monday, April 4, 2011 at the Wyndham Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. (BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)

The issues debated have great significance for The Bahamas, he said, namely:  NCDs and sustainable development.

“Like many other nations of the world, The Bahamas continues to strive find meaningful ways to increase awareness of the necessity of early detection and prevention of NCDs.

“Similarly, The Bahamas as a small island state, continues to utilise its membership in regional, hemispheric and multilateral organisations by joining with like minded states to support the implementation of global initiatives that will benefit the sustainable development of this nation and the world at large,” Mr. Symonette said.

In 1942 Rotary Clubs from 21 nations organised a conference in London to develop a vision for advancing education, science and culture after World War II. And in 1945, Rotarians went to San Francisco to help draft the UN Charter. Hence, a close relationship since then.

Assistant District Governor, Area 2 District 7020 of Rotary International, Charles Sealy, in his message stated that the programme has become very important to rotary clubs in The Bahamas, as it seeks to expose young people to issues facing nations, and for them to find possible solutions.

“Particularly valuable is understanding the impact these issues have on the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette address the 14th Model United Nations Session (MUNS) held Monday, April 4, 2011 at the Wyndham Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. (BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)