The U.S. Embassy sponsored the first edition of the African Model United Nations (AfriMUN) simulation that took place on November 20 in Ouagadougou. Ambassador Mushingi attended the opening ceremony alongside the Ministry of Higher Education to encourage program organizers and participants.
This educational program simulated international negotiations in the United Nations. Participants came from different universities and represented various African countries. The objective was to enable them to learn how negotiations work in the UN and inform them about international affairs. It was also an opportunity for them to role-play as diplomats representing and defending the positions of their respective countries in international talks. To this end, they worked on their oral communication, their persuasion skills, and their diplomatic skills. Participants in this program focused on the theme of energy and climate change in Africa, a fitting subject ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP21) next month in Paris. African country participants there will have to make their voices heard about the effects of climate change on this continent. AfriMUN organizers greatly appreciated the U.S. Embassy’s support, and intend to build upon the success of this program with an eye toward a follow-up event in 2016.
