A youth exercise in diplomacy and negotiation in Misrata
LIBYA – Fifty young men and women from across Libya took part in a three-day Model United Nations event hosted by the city of Misrata from 24 to 26 October to mark United Nations Day, with the aim of deepening young people’s knowledge of the organisation’s work and developing their critical thinking and negotiation skills.
Joint organisation and Stephanie Khoury’s participation
The UN mission’s media office said the event was held in cooperation with the Dialogue and Debate Foundation. Stephanie Khoury, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs, took part in the second day’s activities, briefing the simulated UN Security Council and answering questions from young participants in the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council simulations.
Drafting a position paper and negotiating
One participant said the experience was new for him in Libya and one of the best he had ever had, adding that what he gained most from was preparing a “position paper”, which required in-depth research and a precise understanding of the views of the country he represented before speaking on its behalf.
He added that he had learned to listen carefully, respond calmly and diplomatically, and defend a position even when it differed from his own views, as well as meeting young people from many Libyan cities, which allowed him to look at challenges and crises from a new angle.
Richardson stresses the value of mutual respect and compromise
On the closing day, attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Misrata municipal council, Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Resident Coordinator, addressed the participants, praising the skills they had learned in reaching compromises and defending their causes while listening carefully to the other side.
Richardson said these skills, combined with mutual respect, help achieve positive compromises that benefit everyone, adding that the experience gained over the three days was in keeping with UN values and would benefit the participants, their families, their communities and Libya as a whole.
A seat on the Security Council in the simulation
A participant who played a member of the Security Council during the simulation said the experience had been rich and had deepened her understanding of diplomacy, negotiation and the role of the UN Security Council in maintaining international peace and security.
She added that she had learned how to defend positions, recognise the moment when a compromise is needed and work towards a consensus that puts international peace and security first.
