Think Globally, Act Locally

NEIMUN 2016 starts off; to end on October 24

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 22  

The 1994 Rwandan genocide led to a unique situation—it left behind a population of 70% women. In need of good leadership, Rwanda turned to its women who re-built the country in the past two decades leading to substantial social, economic and political progress. Today, 64% of Rwanda’s parliamentarians are women.  

But it should not take genocide to create political opportunities for women. Advocating for equal representation, Laurabeth Goldsmith, Lead Trainer from Best Delegate, USA, explained the situation of gender imbalance across developed, developing and underdeveloped countries around the world and, through the Rwandan example, pointed to the impact of women’s participation in governance. These include the addressing of pertinent issues like water and sanitation, equal pay for equal work, pensions, gender equality etc. leading to progressive governance.

She was speaking on ‘Gender Equality, Sustainable Development Goal – 5’ at the Opening Ceremony of the fourth session of the three-day North East India International Model United Nations (NEIMUN) that was later declared open by its Secretary General Limaienla Aier at the Don Bosco Institute here today under the theme ‘Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’ The annual NEIMUN conference is the first Model UN conference to be held in the north east region, held in Kohima, Shillong and Guwahati so far.  

“Gender equality cannot simply be achieved through political participation alone but will take a change in social norms among men and women,” observed Goldsmith, also noting that equal representation starts from equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities. “You do not have to be a politician to make a difference,” she asserted. By taking “small actions” like controlling the way one participates in, for instance, social media can have an impact on the lives of women and girls everywhere. “Stand up and say something when you see something that is not okay” or endangers another gender, was her appeal as she spoke at the Opening Ceremony of NEIMUN 2016.  

Objectives

These are the kind of discussions that the NEIMUN 2016 plans to further, providing young people a platform to “gain insight into the art of diplomacy, ethical leadership, understand the value of collaboration and building community,” elaborated Secretary General Limaienla Aier.  

“Young people across the world are at the forefront of making change” with active involvement in decision making, noted Limabenla Jamir, Founder of NEIMUN, which has seen participation from over 2500 delegates from the country in the past three years who have come together to discuss, debate and pass resolutions.

However, “it is sad to see the situation here at the local level. Young people are seen as individuals without expertise and experience,” observed Jamir, stating that the NEIMUN platform hopes to equip young people with “skills and knowledge to address the social, economic, political and cultural changes” of our times. Motivation to this effect was given by Dzüvinguno Dorothy Chasie, Under Secretary General of NEIMUN 2016, in the form of a poetic recital, ‘Whisper of Hope’.  

NEIMUN 2016 has formed three committees based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through which delegates will be trained. The committees include Disarmament & International Security: Illicit Trafficking of Small Arms, Economic and Financial Committee: Access to Primary and Secondary Education, and Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committee: Equal Representation of Women.  

Illicit arms trade in Nagaland

LL Doungel (IPS), Director General of Police, Nagaland, admitted today that “it is not uncommon” to find “illicit arms trade” in Nagaland. “Dimapur is a confluence of populations, and illegal activities form the basis of some people’s livelihood,” he said today while speaking on ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG – 16’ at the ceremony.  

With porous borders, free flowing traffic through NH-29, and provision of road, rail and air connectivity, “these activities are inevitable,” he stated, however maintaining that “it is not alarming” but needs vigil which the law enforcement agencies are keeping.  

But for peace to reign supreme, he stated that justice is a key ingredient. “Peace, justice and strong institutions must complement each other,” Doungel iterated, noting that this creates the space for cooperation and harmony in society for reaching common goals.  

Water and Sanitation

No matter how much political will is on top, it is citizen engagement that will make the real difference on the ground, said Paul Aiyong Seong, Deputy Director of the Office of Social Sector, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), India. He was speaking on ‘Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG – 6’ today. Stating that change has to come “bottom up,” Seong’s presentation highlighted how the USAID model to develop Public Private Partnerships (particularly with those using the social enterprise model) alongside the use of technology/digital tools is looking to have a major impact on cities all over India. Their work is done in a manner that “impact institutions” and target achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all, and equitable and accessible sanitation to all with special focus on the needs of women and girls.  

‘Think globally, act locally’

Imkong L Imchen, Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, as Chief Guest at the occasion wrapped it up by advising the young delegates to “think globally and act locally.”  

Stating that he is the “only opposition member” in an Assembly of 60, Imchen stated that to have a sustainable future for human society, one must make “good contributions” to their neighbourhood first.  

He described the Naga political issue as a “sustainable issue” because “it has sustained for more than 50 years” and may sustain for a 100 years depending on fortune. But UN could reach such places as Nagaland in a manner that promotes coexistence, he hoped.  

The rest of the sessions for the day saw elections for President of the General Assembly as well as numerous discussions and training sessions. NEIMUN 2016 is scheduled to be held till October 24.