Organized for the first time under the leadership of Near East College students, NECMUN has brought together 160 high school students from various schools across Northern Cyprus at the same diplomatic table. During the three-day conference, students will represent different countries to debate global issues and develop proposals for joint solutions.
NECMUN, organized for the first time under the leadership of Near East College students, kicked off with the participation of 160 high school students from various schools across Northern Cyprus. Simulating the operational structure of the United Nations, the conference is taking place simultaneously in four different halls at the Near East University Grand Library. Throughout the three-day event, students will represent various nations and develop solutions for economic, political, and social issues.
Held in the Model United Nations (MUN) format, NECMUN serves as an academic simulation that allows high school students to learn about international relations and diplomacy through hands-on experience. Conducted in English, the conference offers students the opportunity to address global issues in line with the policies of the countries they represent, while also evaluating diverse viewpoints, engaging in negotiations, and formulating joint solutions.
Young people served as both delegates and organizers!
One of the notable features of this inaugural NECMUN conference is the active responsibility taken by high school students during the organization process. Students have handled a significant portion of the event’s organization themselves, taking on roles in areas ranging from planning and execution to committee work and media activities.
The organizing team, composed entirely of students, includes: The Secretary General Nisa Delibaş, Deputy Secretary General Defne Solyalı, General Assembly President Abdallah Oğuz Elerian, General Assembly Vice President Adil Han Öztürk, Media Head Meyra Baştaş, and Head Organizers Deniz Şahkudeler and Dila Karaderi.
Jale Refik Rogers Delivered the Opening Speech
Kyrenia MP Jale Refik Rogers delivered the opening speech at the conference, which saw high participation. Explaining to the youth that diplomacy and negotiation require listening and understanding diverse perspectives just as much as speaking, Rogers said, “Understanding another point of view does not mean you have to agree with it. We may disagree, or even strongly oppose it, yet still respect one another. We can challenge an idea without attacking the person expressing it.”
Highlighting the importance of young people, who raised with different experiences and narratives in Cyprus, and coming together around the same table, Rogers emphasized that compromise is a key element in paving the way for progress. Urging the youth to “speak with confidence, defend your ideas, and ask tough questions, but listen carefully when others are speaking”, Rogers stated that meaningful dialogue begins with an effort to understand people who view the world differently.
Students seek solutions to international issues…
In the committee sessions held at NECMUN, students defend their views within a diplomatic framework while negotiating with representatives from other countries. During sessions covering economic, political, and social topics, students approach issues from various perspectives and work on proposed solutions. Designed as an academic simulation, the conference helps students develop not only their research, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills but also their negotiation and leadership competencies. In this way, students experience international relations and diplomatic processes in a practical manner, moving beyond mere theoretical knowledge.
NECMUN Offers Young People a Multifaceted Experience, from Diplomacy to Leadership
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemre Günsel Haskasap, a member of the Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees responsible for schools, emphasized that NECMUN, organized for the first time under the leadership of Near East College students, offers students the opportunity to learn about international relations and diplomacy through hands-on experience. She said, “We highly value the development of our youth, not just through academic knowledge, but by listening to diverse viewpoints, negotiating, generating solutions, and finding common ground. Bringing together 160 students from various schools at the same diplomatic table significantly contributes to our young people viewing the world from a broader perspective and raising their awareness of international issues.”
Rana Serdaroğlu, General Coordinator of Near East Enterprises Schools, emphasized that NECMUN is an event where students play an active role not only as participants but also as organizers, noting, “Our students take direct responsibility at many stages of the conference, ranging from planning and coordination to committee work and media activities. The experience gained while bringing such an initiative to life enables them to develop leadership, communication, research, and problem-solving skills in a real-world setting.”
