Official opening of the Youth Model United Nations (YMUN) Conference took place on April 6, 2017 in the Grand Hall of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Students from 30 countries are going to examine the prospects of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. The event is due to last for three days.During the official opening of the Conference, the Rector of the University, Professor Volodymyr Melnyk greeted foreign guests and told about the history, achievements and mission of the Alma Mater. “Through organic combination of centuries-old academic traditions and modern science and technology the University provides a sustainable development of our region and Ukrainian society,” said Volodymyr Melnyk.The Rector called the choice of conference venue an expression of support of young people around the world of the struggle waged by Ukraine against Russian aggression. “Our students were among those who revolutionary and fearlessly advocated Ukraine’s European choice, thus generating democratic ideas of modern society. Students and graduates of the University gave their lives for European values and ideals, that is why today your support is extremely important for the Ukrainian people,” addressed the participants Volodymyr Melnyk.
First Deputy of the Head of Lviv Regional State Administration Rostyslav Zamlynskyi noted that the main vector of modern international relations is security and peace in the world.
“Today Ukraine, as well as the international community, faced with the problem of security. It is therefore important that in the struggle against Russian aggression our country can feel the support of the United Nations. In the future you will represent your countries in the international arena and hand in hand defend security in the world. It is very important that you cooperate in various ways to solve the conflict,“ said Rostyslav Zamlynskyi, appealing to young people.
Let us point out that during the Conference; about 120 representatives from 30 countries are going to work in committees, where through different perspectives they will independently investigate the prospects of science, technology and innovations for sustainable development. In particular: Committee on Security, the Security Council of the Future (the Crisis), Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council, UNDP, Ukrainian Committee.Organizers are confident that owing to the Conference, the participants will have the opportunity to practice public speaking skills, improve research, discussion and critical thinking skills, which will provide young people with a solid base for a successful political and diplomatic career.On the eve of the Conference its co-organizer Kateryna Lomakovych said: “YMUN has its own history and traditions and glorious reputation in the world. Such conferences are held at Oxford, Cambridge, the Hague, Budapest … Speeches of official representatives of the EU and other important politicians claim that the YMUN conferences are of a quite high status”.