Peking University, Beijing, March 19th, 2009: The fifth annual “Peking University National Model United Nations (MUN) Conference for High School Students” lasting for four days held its opening ceremony in PKU Overseas Exchange Center. United Nations Association of China Vice President Secretary Ms. Zhang Yunfei, PKU President Zhou Qifeng, President’s Assistant Li Yansong, Party Secretary Han Liu and Admission Office’s Wang Yazhang were all present at the ceremony.

2009 PKU National MUN Conference for High School Students

This year’s MNU will focus on the “Environment and Development” theme. Over the next four days, nearly 600 students from 77 high schools in 25 provinces will simulate the roles of ambassadors, diplomats, and international reporters while discussing problems like the economic crisis and global warming with the same rules as the United Nation meetings.

PKU President Zhou Qifeng giving his opening remarks

PKU President Zhou Qifeng gave the opening remarks. He shared the contributions the UN has made to the world since it was formed as well as five years of history of PKU National MUN for High School Students. Zhou gave all participants words of encouragement, hoping they would be proactively involved, widen their views and receive improvement in all areas.

William H. Luers, President of The United Nations Association of the United States of America, gave a video speech through the internet. Luers first thanks PKU for holding such an event, hoping that our world’s intermingled situation of “danger and challenge” can be fully expressed through these types of events. Luers urges the students to be eager to practice and train their leadership abilities. “I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand,” these were his words of encouragement for our high schoolers.

“The world needs the UN to exert impactive forces, however in order to provide a safer and cleaner world, the UN still needs reformation to increase its effectiveness and influence.” United Nations Association of China Vice President Secretary Ms. Zhang Yunfei said. “The Youth need to pay close attention to issues like the economic crisis and war,” says Zhang, she hopes that through this MUN conference, participants can develop their teamwork, problem solving and problem handling abilities.

UNA-China Vice President Secretary Ms. Zhang Yunfei Speaking

PKU Model United Nations Association secretary-general Feng Yuchen welcomed all the HS students on behalf of all the staff members. He hopes that throughout the next four days the participants will meet new friends and improve their personal skills while enjoying the process.

The conference organizing committee prepared a short clip sharing the High School Student MUN history. The first PKU National MUN for High School Students was held successfully in 2005, the scale gradually grown since then.

Translated by: Connie Chang
Edited by: Wang Yi
Source: PKU News (Chinese)