Mumbai, 10thJuly 2017: Gopi Birla Memorial School (GBMS) powered by Birla Edutech and Indian International Model United Nations (IIMUN) as the knowledge partner, had organized a city level Model United Nations on the 8th and 9th of July at GBMS.This event saw 400 students from various schools across the city participate in the second edition MUN organized by GBMS alumni and hosted by Birla Edutech.Expressing his views Mr. Nirvaan Birla – Head of Business Development, said, “At Birla Edutech we firmly believe that by engaging students in these activities, we are not only preparing them for their own individual futures, but also setting them up to be future leaders of the world that they will eventually inherit. We hope that this endeavour will be one of many for students to sharpen their world view and to be in a position to better understand the mechanics of the global systems that we adhere to.”
A Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation or activity in which participants or delegates in conferences are placed in committees such as the WHO, ILO, UNSC, ECOSOC etc. These delegates are made to represent various UN signatory countries and address dire subjects that conflict our world such as Cyber War, improving working conditions of South-Asian Countries, Human Trafficking, Uniform Civil Codeto name a few. Students gain a better understanding of the inner workings of the UN while also providing a forum to hone skills in diplomacy, negotiation, critical thinking, compromise, public speaking, writing, and research. This motivates young students to think like world leaders which instill a sense of obligation and responsibility as a global citizen.
Ms Deepa Shetty – Principal, Gopi Birla Memorial School said, “In this era of rapid globalization, it is vital that students learn about the world and the problems it has been facing. MUN is the perfect platform for a student to engage one another on an intellectual platform with other students of the same or better caliber. These students have been working very hard to hone their public speaking, debating, writing skills as well as critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities in preparation for this event. We were overwhelmed with the talent and potential that we witnessed in these young children.”
Adding on to organizing an event at this scale, Ms Khyati Dwarkadas, GBMUN Teacher-in-charge said, “Arranging an event such as this is always challenging but fulfilling at the same time, as there is a sense of achievement that we feel. These platforms are equipping students with skills that will prove useful to them for the rest of their lives. Even though this is an effort on a city level with 400 students, it adds an intrinsic value to the youth to ensure that the conflicts plaguing our world are dealt with efficiently.”
Special mention -
Bhavya Shah, is a visually impaired child in the 10th Standard at GBMS. However, he did not allow his disability to get in his way and went on to be one of the most exceptional MUN-ers. Having won Best Delegate at the IIMUN-2015 & 2016 and in MUN 2017 he has won the Best Delegate – JCC and was awarded a standing ovation for his spectacular performance.
Award Winner’s –
- UNSC - Delegation of Brazil - Anjali Bharadwaj and Ishan Chatterjee (Lokhandwala Foundation School)
- G20 - Best Delegate – Nitya Shah (GBMS)
- Best School – Lokhandwala Foundation School
Cash Awards -
- Part Sponsorship to IIMUN USA - Amatullah Ragib (GBMS)
- Part Sponsorship to IIMUN Aamby Valley - Jivisha Pandit and Shantanu Chaudhari (GBMS)
About Birla Edutech Limited:
Birla Edutech Limited - a Yash Birla Group company started its journey in 2008 to revolutionize education in India, by becoming educational transformers for learners across all educational segments - be it Preschool, K-12 school, Sports education, technological or vocational education. With over eight years of experience in educational zone, Birla Edutech has a complex network of over 50 educational institutions extended across India. The growing network of Birla Edutech has many brands under its umbrella. It includes an extensive spectrum of Pre-Primary schools under the brand name of Globe Tot'ers and Shloka Preschools and K-12 schools under Open Minds and Shloka Schools. Some of its own well-established schools in Mumbai are Globe Tot’ers- a Birla Preschool (Nepean Sea Road) and Gopi Birla Memorial School (GBMS), and Globe Tot’ers- a Birla Preschool in Nashik. Besides, Birla Edutech is also extensively involved in Teacher Training through its vertical of Birla Institute of Teacher Training. Birla Edutech also works towards Whole/ Partial School transformation projects across the country.