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Kovsies Model UN Summit 2023: Shaping the Future of Diplomacy and Leadership

04 August 2023 | Story Edzani Nephalela | Photo Supplied

KMUN 2023 — Young leaders unite! Fostering diplomacy and innovation – The Kovsies Model UN Summit 2023 shaped future global change makers!

The saying goes, ‘Leaders are born, not made,’ but what term do we use when more than 50 young individuals from various institutions gather to address and tackle many of our global socio-economic issues collectively?

The University of the Free State United Nations (UN) Chapter hosted the first of many Kovsies Model United Nations (KMUN) Summits – a simulation of the UN General Assembly (GA) – from 28 to 30 July 2023. The event brought together students from various institutions, including the University of Pretoria (UP), Wits, North-West University (NWU), as well as the UFS South and Qwaqwa campuses, who convened on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus for this prestigious gathering.

The students represented different countries and embarked on a comprehensive research project focused on the challenges faced by their respective nations and their progress in addressing them, which they had to present at the GA. Their investigations encompassed various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty eradication, building partnerships, promoting quality education, and advancing gender equality. These efforts align perfectly with the university's Vision 130, which is dedicated to promoting academic excellence, fostering social impact, and embracing diversity.

Siphilangenkosi Dlamini, Executive Chair of the UN Association of South Africa’s UFS Chapter and Student Assistant in the UFS Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), said that the summit served as a platform to bring together young people and student leaders from participating institutions to address an array of issues as if they were leaders of different countries.

"Our objective was to create a platform where these young minds could participate in constructive dialogues, refine their diplomatic skills, and address urgent global challenges. The most remarkable aspect was observing the participants' passion and dedication. Witnessing them wholeheartedly embrace the principles of diplomacy and cooperation was genuinely uplifting.”

Moreover, the attendees expressed their appreciation for this prestigious event, as it provided them with invaluable information and insights into what the future holds for them.

Keoratile Moloto, a North-West University student who proudly represented Belize – a Central American country – emphasised that this unique experience provided him with a valuable opportunity to acquire knowledge. As a student leader, he believed that this knowledge could positively influence and inspire both those he served and those in leadership positions.

“This is a too exciting initiative to ignore as a young individual who aspires to improve the world. I have always envisioned a time where I can make a difference in a community. I am big on most SDGs and saw this opportunity as a stepping-stone to educate myself on the proceedings. It is an awesome experience to engage with these topics rather than just being a viewer.”

Students were encouraged to collaborate and be active observers of pressing issues that affect their future. Student Affairs Assistant Director, Motlogelwa Moema, also advised the delegates to approach the debates with an open mind, network, familiarise themselves with the SDGs, and develop sustainable, innovative solutions to these socio-economic challenges.

This summit proved to be an enriching and transformative experience for all participants. From engaging in diplomatic negotiations to tackling global issues, delegates developed crucial leadership skills, fostered diplomacy, and shaped the future of international relations. As delegates from prestigious universities came together, the discussions were diverse, thought-provoking, and inspiring. Undoubtedly, the KMUN Summit left a lasting impact on the delegates and contributed to developing future leaders who would make a positive difference on the global stage.

News Archive

SRC elections: A first for UFS main campus

2005-08-14

Students on the main campus of the of the University of the Free State (UFS) will this week for the first time vote for the Student Representative Council (SRC) using two voting systems: proportional representation (PR) and first-past-the-post.

According to the Vice-Rector, Student Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Moraka, this year’s elections are a milestone for the UFS as it will be the first time that the main campus SRC will be elected according to the amended SRC constitution, which was approved by the UFS Council in June 2005.

“It is also a major breakthrough for student governance and transformation of the UFS main campus and constitutes a legitimate basis for the democratic participation of all students at the UFS main campus in the governance of the university,” said Dr Moraka.

The amended constitution of the main campus SRC determines that nine of the 18 SRC members must be elected by means of proportional representation and nine on the basis of an individual, first-past-the-post election.

According to Dr Moraka, the introduction of the proportional representation system follows earlier calls by some student formations, notably Sasco and the ANC Youth League, for such a system to be introduced at the UFS main campus in Bloemfontein.

The new main campus SRC constitution is the result of consensus reached during a lengthy negotiation process involving diverse student formations such as Sasco, the ANC Youth League, the Young Communist League, the ACDP, HEREXVII, KovsieAlliance, as well as the democratically elected SRC members of the main campus.

“Independent persons such as Mr Jack Klaas and Mr Kobus van Loggerenberg, a former SRC President, facilitated the negotiation process,” said Dr Moraka.

Students on the main campus in Bloemfontein will vote for a new SRC on Monday 15 August 2005.

SRC elections will also take place on the other two campuses of the UFS, which have their own SRC structures.

Students on the UFS-Vista campus in Bloemfontein will vote for a new SRC on Monday 15 August 2005 and Tuesday 16 August 2005.

At the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS, students will vote for a new SRC on Friday 26 August 2005.

The election processes on all three campuses will be closely monitored by independent electoral bodies.

After the three campuses have elected their respective SRCs a central SRC will be constituted. The central SRC will have 12 members made up of delegates of the three campus SRCs, including the presidents of these three SRCs. The main campus will have five representatives, the Qwaqwa campus will have four representatives and the Vista campus will have three representatives.

Main campus voting schedule:
Monday 15 August 2005 from 07:00-21:00. Ten voting stations will be set up across the campus. The results will be announced on Tuesday 16 August 2005.

Vista campus voting schedule:
Monday 15 August 2005 and Tuesday 16 August 2005 from 09:00-18:00 in the administration building. The results will be announced on Wednesday 17 August 2005.

Qwaqwa campus voting schedule:
Friday 26 August 2005 from 09:00-18:00 in the Senate Hall. If there is no objection to the final results, it will be announced on the same day.

Media release

Issued by:  Lacea Loader
   Media Representative
   Tel: (051) 401-2584
   Cell: 083 645 2454
   E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

14 August 2005

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