Amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic, Benilde Model United Nations (BenildeMUN) is coming back strong—virtually—to uphold their name and legacy as the pioneer and largest collegiate MUN in the Philippines with the theme, “Reinforcing International Solidarity in Pursuit of Global Prosperity,” on March 5 to 6, 2021.

This two-day student-led conference is now in its 23rd year, 22nd edition and has been open to the College’s School of Diplomacy and Governance students, Benildeans, and non-Benildeans to simulate United Nations as model diplomats of their respective countries and assigned committees in addressing timely, relevant, and essential political, socio-cultural, economic, and environmental issues with a “click.”

The four committees of this year’s BenildeMUN, with their respective Agenda Topics, are the following:

General Assembly:

• Addressing the Rising Threat of Biological Weapons
• Strengthening Outer Space Laws to Suppress Space Militarization
  
  

Security Council:

• Addressing the Security Issue of the Arctic Region
• Consolidating Sanction Regimes Towards Sustainable Peace
  
  

Economic and Social Council:

• Advancing Sustainable Urban Transportation in Developing Nations
• Building Self-sustainable Institutions to Mitigate Mass Emigration Among Developing Nations
  
  

Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP UNFCCC):

• Integration of Sustainable Indigenous Knowledge Systems to Industrialized Communities
• Capacity Building for Low-altitude Areas Affected by Climate Change
  
  

The Organizing Committee consists of 50 Benildean students and alumni, wherein 15 of them are officers and staffers, 12 of them are part of the Dais, and 23 as part of the Secretariat. They will be the ones who will spearhead the program and ensure the discussions and topic agendas will flow smoothly in the upcoming conference proper.

BenildeMUN for a Cause

Other than going out of their zone with an online conference, BenildeMUN also added a new twist to be of help to the community by fundraising. “BenildeMUN for a Cause” officially partnered with Kiwanis Club Sunshine of Cavite, a non-profit organization dedicated to education promotion by launching outreach programs and giving learning materials for youth and out-of-school children.

According to their latest transparency report dated Feb. 26, 2021, BenildeMUN for a Cause has garnered a total amount of P56,100. Their proceeds will directly be given to The Learning Center for the Out of School Youth: KC Sunshine Computer Learning Center’s 500 youth and children from Brgy. Manguiring, Calabanga, Camarines Sur to aid them for their online classes. 

BenildeMUN also held BMUN 101, a free annual pre-conference training, last Feb. 12 to 13 to guide the incoming delegates, particularly those new and first-timers of MUN, in the event’s protocol, essential general knowledge, and terminologies that must be known, as well as tips in writing and public speaking.

Want to know more about Benilde Model United Nations? Interested individuals may view their official Twitter and Facebook pages.