By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa
WINDHOEK– The 3rd Annual Model United Nations Namibia high schools conference is taking place in the first week of June at the United Nations House in Windhoek.
The two day conference will attract 22 high school learners from the Khomas, Hardap, Oshikoto and Erongo regions. The conference will discuss measures to eradicate child labour. According to the Head of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Anthea Basson, learners will simulate the United Nations General Assembly. “Each learner will represent a member state of the United Nations and is engaged in diplomatic talks and negotiation to ultimately pass a UN resolution,” she says adding that the programme expect learners to step into the shoes of the member state they represent, fully representing their respective countries’ policies and positions on the international political arena.
“In order to do so, the learners require undertaking intensive research on topics on their country, to ensure that they can fully participate and contribute to an engaging General Assembly seating,” Basson adds. Furthermore, Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) Business Namibia in partnership with UNIC is to setup research laboratories for the learners at Immanuel Shifiti Secondary School, Highline Secondary School, David Bezuidenhoudt Secondary School as well as the MTN Business Namibia head office in Windhoek to curb challenges faced by learners in doing research due to lack of internet facilities at school or at home.
“MTN Business in collaboration with UNIC is working hard at bridging the gap by setting up and facilitating research labs for the learners in the community,” says MTN Business Finance Administration Manager, Keith Handura. “The aim of the project is to improve Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility and provides the disadvantaged Namibian child with the environment whereby he/she could easily combine ideas and obtain information for full participation in this prestigious international youth programme,” adds Basson.