Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- School №50 has conducted a MDG summit on the 16th of May, with the support of the UN information Office. This is not the first time that teachers and students at the school have taken part in UN youth programmes; indeed the school’s Model United Nations programme has become a tradition that helps to bring together the school’s students. Teacher Elena Vedenskaya has been enthusiastic in involving students in the programme, and has encouraged students to learn as much about UN activities as possible.

Most often the school conducts model sessions of the UN Security Council, but the most recent MUN conference has utilised a different approach with its participating students coming together to discuss the Millennium Development Goals. Four groups of students, which represented Uzbekistan, Asia and Africa, Europe and America, reported on the eight goals. All students worked hard to make the event a success, demonstrated a clear understanding of required knowledge, and were able to respond to difficult questions. Teachers Elena Nathanovna and Elena Anatolievna served as event arbitrators, occasionally directing the most enthusiastic participants.

Following the summit’s conclusion, a school alumni and UN Information Office intern Khikmatulla Ubaydullaev hosted a quiz in which the boys were able to present their knowledge regarding the UN. Fayez Kamalov was the quiz’s clear winner, receiving a prize for his efforts. Commemorative gifts were also given to the conference’s most active participants, with Iskander Umarov recognised for the best report, Nazar Beknazarov for the best presentation, and Kamila Maksudhodzhaeva for the best speech. The summit conducted at School №50 helped students to demonstrate their knowledge of UN operations and their dedication to achieving global peace.

Elena Nathanovna Kushner, Deputy Director of Studies:

“The children at these events have demonstrated their abilities to think, to speak in public, to justify their opinions, to research and develop an understanding of important matters, to discuss and negotiate, and to follow rules and ethics. The children participating in UN youth programme events can show what they have learnt at school, expand their horizons, and develop their understanding of topics of global importance. These activities are systematically and carefully planned. Elena, who has been heavily engaged in this activity at school, has adapted a serious approach to training where students are able to gain and understand large amounts of important information. We teach them to function well in society, to promote peace and harmony, and we think about what they will do and what they will achieve in the future.”

Elena Vedenskaya, a history teacher:

“We have organised a United Nations club at the school, attended by children as young as 8th grade, in order to introduce them to the United Nations. The United Nations is the only organisation in the world that can provide peace, stability and safety, and can work in different directs and address different concerns around the globe. Today’s topic has demonstrated the diversity of the UN’s work. We have chosen Model United Nations conferences as a method of teaching students about the UN, because we think it is the most interesting way to learn. We have previously conducted model sessions of the Security Council and our children have loved to discuss and defend their points of view, even though these sessions have required students to do hard work in regards to studying individual countries and the problems they face. Research issues and topics of global importance fascinates children, as they have to search for material in other languages if they can’t find information in Russian, and translate the material as appropriate. At today’s conference we used a new format for the first time, and I felt that the children coped very well with the new structure.”