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| Sunday, 22 January 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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S-SAARC... : Students get an insight into global issues The much awaited student activity of year 2005, the first ever student-run South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (S-SAARC) was held in December last year.
Over 200 students, including a delegation from India participated at the Inaugural Simulation Summit meeting of SAARC held in Colombo, organised by the Model United Nations (MUN) Association of Ananda College, Colombo.
The first Simulation SAARC Summit was organised within the region, aimed at providing an insight into the organisational and the diplomatic structure; its mission to create an awareness and understanding on the functions of SAARC, besides giving an opportunity for the students to actively participate in such events. According to Charge d' Affairs of S-SAARC R. L. Ellawala, students not only participated representing the respective countries, but were compelled to research in depth on SAARC countries and analyse their strengths and weaknesses. "S-SAARC conference provided students with an opportunity of playing diplomats involved in decision-making and conflict-resolution. They not only learnt about the SAARC system, but were also able to find out about the crucial issues pertaining to the region. "I am sure the great ideas behind this simulation will make a great impact on all our student delegates, preparing them to be leaders of tomorrow," Ellawala pointed out.
Participants from Amity International School India, Wesley College Colombo, Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo 04, Gateway College, Ladies College, Colombo 7, Gothami Balika Vidyalaya Colombo 10, Holy Family Convent, Colombo 4, Presbyterian Girls' School-Dehiwela, Vidura College and Royal College said that the summit enabled them to acquire the ability to form fresh reports based on the existing reports, seek solutions and debate on current regional issues. The High Commissioner of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Yakub Ali who graced the occasion thanked Ananda College for hosting this simulation programme, while Acting Director General of the SAARC Division, C. A. H. M. Wijeratne promised to get S-SAARC recommended and accepted by the SAARC Technical Committee. Several awards were presented to the delegates at the conclusion of the summit. Best Country Profile Award was bagged by Amity International School of India and Sumudu Welikumbura of Visakha Vidyalaya clinched the Best Education Policy award. As the next step, the MUN of Ananda College looks forward to form a SAARC Student Association. Schools interested in seeking membership could contact staff advisor, R. I. Ellawala for further details. He said that the MUN of Ananda College is also exploring the possibilities of setting up a Sri Lankan Model United Nations Association with the participation of other schools. They look forward to make S-SAARC an annual event with a higher student participation. At their next summit they hope to increase the participation to 500 students with delegates from all SAARC countries. **** Issues dealt with... During the summit, participants sought ways through diplomacy and negotiation, enabling the regional community to successfully deal with complex global concerns. The final declaration encompasses a summary of the common consensus the delegates reached throughout the two-day conference. Regional cooperation, Economic cooperation, Environmental challenges and natural disaster, Social changes and Combating terrorism were the topics discussed during the two-day summit. Highlights of some of the topics discussed at the summit: * International migration and development, and relationship between socio-economic growth. * Education and technology exchange. Under this, developed nations agreed to support the nations with low literacy rates by providing financial assistance to fund educational institutions. * Establishing a common currency within South Asia. However, due to the instability of the currencies of member states, SAARC nations did not come to a common decision. * Delegates discussed issues pertaining to the topic, 'Protection against products harmful for health and environment'. * National Strategy on Natural Disaster Management was another
important issue addressed during the conference. Member States agreed to
develop medical emergency kits for expediting response to large scale
natural disasters. |
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