Model storytellers

At this year's China Daily Model United Nations Conference, young people from across the country gathered to enhance their global literacy skills and showcase the passion and confidence of today's youth, Gui Qian reports.

"Young people play a vital role in promoting world progress and global sustainable development, and the China Daily Model United Nations Conference (CDMUN) offers a platform that helps youth grow into upcoming talents of international communication, public diplomacy and global governance," said Wang Hao, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, at the opening ceremony of the 2023 CDMUN on Aug 3.

The four-day event was held at the Taihu International Conference Center in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, from Aug 3 to 6. Hosted by China Daily's 21st Century English Education Media, the conference attracted more than 1,200 young participants from middle schools, high schools and universities across China.

Students play UN officials or delegates of different countries or other political entities in the model UN, an educational activity and simulation of the UN. They discuss international affairs, propose motions, try to reach consensuses and pass draft resolutions.

With the theme of "Building a safer, more peaceful and more sustainable world", the 2023 CDMUN organized 11 English language committees, six Chinese language committees and one bilingual media center. They focused on 17 important global issues, including peacekeeping, preventing nuclear proliferation, cybersecurity, eradicating rural poverty, accelerating digital transformation, women empowerment and more.

Jin Jie, a Suzhou Municipal Standing Committee member and the city's Chief of Publicity, praised the conference as a great reflection of the three initiatives put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping. "I hope all young participants can think about the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative through CDMUN, and can develop their diplomatic literacy and communicative abilities," she said.

To achieve these goals, Wang suggested the students equip themselves with a global vision and a deeper love for the country and its people.

CDMUN invited retired diplomats to attend the conference, deliver speeches, and interact with the young participants in different committees.

Zhao Jinjun, former Chinese ambassador to France and former president of the China Foreign Affairs University, shared his experience in bridging China and France and encouraged the Gen Zers to share authentic stories of China with international friends as citizen diplomats.

Shen Guofang, former director-general of the Information Department of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, shared some diplomacy tips with the young participants. "Whether in a real diplomatic negotiation or at the model UN conferences, the first rule and foundation is one's competence," Shen said. "A diplomat also needs to be neither shy nor pushy and stick to his or her bottom line. Next comes one's charisma and etiquette."

"The model UN is a great opportunity for young students to know more about our own nation and others, as they play diplomats of different countries. I hope the activity can help young people grow into good storytellers of both China's stories and those of others," he continued.

Wang Shuang, 23, a postgraduate student from Renmin University of China, emphasized on gaining a greater understanding of both China and the world at the model UN.For four years, Wang has participated in the model UN in debates on a variety of topics, such as refugees and human trafficking. This time, she took a new role other than a delegate — a dais member (a chair). To host the United Nations General Assembly First, which focuses on disarmament and international security, she wrote a roughly 40-page document to explain the issue to her committee's delegates and laid a foundation for their discussion.

"The model UN is like a window to me, through which I see the other side of the world. I get to feel the pains and struggles of other people, deepen my empathy and also my love for our motherland. I'm so lucky to live in such a peaceful and prosperous country," Wang said. "Being a dais member also enables me to possess a global vision since I need to think from positions of different countries."

Many other young participants share similar experiences and feelings with Wang. These young people show that the Chinese mindset has changed profoundly, remarked Liu Zhixian, former vice president and director-general of the United Nations Association of China. "Just as President Xi said, Chinese people now view themselves as equals with any other in the world. This means that they have become more confident, but are still modest and considerate," he explained.