Children's games for adult life, or When will our world get better?
The proverb "Whatever the child is not amused, just not to cry" does not quite correctly reflect the meaning of the title. Or rather, it completely misrepresents its essence.
According to the traditions rooted in international structures accredited in Turkmenistan, the material should have had a cumbersome title – "The organizations of the UN system and USAID in partnership with the government of Turkmenistan held the First regional conference of the Ashgabat model of the UN."
But I still decided to keep the title that you see.
Why? You will learn about this in the course of the material…
So, the day before, very young guys from different countries of Central Asia came to Ashgabat. In order to hold the event, which was organized jointly with the Government of Turkmenistan by very serious UN structures.
What is the purpose of the conference?
I asked Eleanor Valentine, Regional Director of the USAID Safe Migration in Central Asia project, about this:
– There are many problems in the modern world that cannot be solved independently by individual countries. Even the most powerful in economic terms. Global issues can be solved only by joint, collective actions. We see that humanity is trying to cope with challenges and threats through enormous efforts. And although there are successes, they are not enough.
Youth is our present and, at the same time, our future. A good half of the population of Turkmenistan is young people, and in Central Asia this category accounts for 30 percent of people living in the region. It will not take so much time as those who are still studying and preparing for adulthood today will be responsible for solving many problems.
And the purpose of the regional youth conference "Model UN" held in Turkmenistan for the first time is not only educational, but also practical. After all, in order to achieve a positive result in large–scale joint work, it is necessary to have many qualities - the ability to find a common language with a partner, be attentive to the opinion of an opponent, develop a sense of mutual assistance, goodwill, the ability to understand the intricacies of international relations and much more.
During the classes within the framework of the Ashgabat Conference, young men and women from all Central Asian countries simulated the activities of UN commissions and committees in a playful way, acting as delegates of the United Nations and imitating work in its structures, trying to find solutions to the problems facing humanity – from climate change to global security.
And according to the UN Permanent Coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitry Shlapachenko, such role-playing games during thematic sessions and plenary discussions not only expand the understanding of world events among boys and girls, but also develop skills of diplomacy, leadership and teamwork.
Attending simulated meetings of UN committees and commissions, I saw how young men and women diligently try on the roles of delegates – representatives of countries from all corners of the globe.
And what do the participants of these role-playing games held on the Model UN platform think about it?
This is what a young Turkmen Saparguly Mahtumov says, who is a member of a number of youth structures – he is a representative of the SDG youth movement, a member of the UNODC Regional Central Asian Youth Network, as well as the UNICEF Youth Leadership Network:
– I had the honor, under the terms of the role-playing game, to speak as a representative of Argentina at a meeting of the UN Center for Civil and Political Rights. On the agenda was the protection of freedoms in assemblies and associations.
This area includes freedom of speech and respect for human rights, both within groups (for example, diasporas) and at the individual level. All work was carried out exclusively according to the rules adopted at the meetings of the United Nations.
As part of the discussion of the issue of civil and political rights, at the beginning of the meeting, representatives of all the states present made a brief speech describing the common position of the UN member states. Each speaker was allocated one and a half minutes.
If the speakers had time left, they had three options: to start a short question-and-answer session, transfer the time to the chairmen of the meeting, or leave this time for the speech of the next delegate.
In addition, the participants got acquainted with the concept and practice of using the so–called "diplomatic note" - a way of communication between representatives of different countries during the meeting.
– The work in our committee was literally "boiling", – Saparguly Mahtumov continues. – During the discussions, we touched upon the topics of freedom of expression on the Internet and its impact on society, talked about safe migration and respect for the rights of national minorities. After the topic of each session was approved, the chairmen compiled a general list of speakers, which included the countries that took the initiative.
It was especially unusual to ask questions: if we needed to clarify anything about the session, we used the "parliamentary inquiry moment". And if someone wanted to leave, they could ask for a "moment of personal privilege."
And I participated in the national commission for the prevention of drug addiction among young people, – Shukurgeldi Myradov, youth leader of the Central Asian NGO network. – It has already been noted that the countries were distributed among the participants of the discussion by random selection.
It was interesting to remember everything you know about this country right on the spot, to feel like a citizen of it, in order to truly defend the interests of the people, to support the position of this country, regardless of your subjective point of view. The discussions took place acutely in the form of debates, which were moderated (i.e. controlled by the moderator) and taking place in the form of a free discussion.
I liked the unmoderated debates more, when each participant could express the position of the country on whose behalf he was “appointed” without the control and management of the moderator, – continues Shukurgeldi. – A delegate, for example, could support a representative of another country if their positions coincided or were close. Or he could offer joint cooperation to solve a global problem. And, on the contrary, to stand up to someone in opposition.
During the debate, based on the positions of our countries, we were divided into two coalitions that expressed directly opposite points of view. For example, our bloc, which naturally formed from representatives of Central Asian countries, was in favor of resolutely conducting a tough and irreconcilable fight against illegal drug distribution in the region, while the opposition, which included representatives of countries far from Central Asia, adhered to other, softer approaches.
After heated discussions, we held a vote to make a final decision, following which our coalition won. As a result, it was decided to create an Agency headed by young people from Central Asian countries with headquarters in Ashgabat and which, on the basis of inclusive education, will promote programs to prevent the involvement of young people in drug addiction, as well as help in the rehabilitation process.
In other words, prevention is on the one hand, and treatment is on the other. Much attention in our block was also paid to the educational direction – raising awareness of adolescents and young people about the harmful consequences of bad habits, – summed up Shukurgeldi Myradov.
During the classes, it was seen how the excitement of defending one’s point of view and the desire to participate in solving topical problems takes possession of the minds and souls of the forum participants. And such seemingly purely playful forms give its participants the opportunity not only to share their ideas and still little experience with their peers, but also to consult with international experts from the United Nations.
The holding of such a forum, which provided an opportunity for the young generation to cooperate with international experts, was made possible thanks to the fruitful interaction of the Turkmen government, the UN agencies in Turkmenistan and USAID. And, of course, the catalyst in this process was the ineradicable enthusiasm and integrity of the young.
The youth activist Saparguly Mahtumov mentioned above did not fail to note the organizational side of the forum:
I would like to express my gratitude to the turkmen government together with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, the Resident Coordinator of the UN Office in Turkmenistan, the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia and the Agency Program USAID "Safe Migration in Central Asia".2
And also say kind words to the young ambassadors of the SDGs, graduates of the RCPCA Academy of Preventive Diplomacy, students of the International Westminster University of Tashkent, as well as the management and team of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, who not only provided a wonderful platform for our conference, but they also created excellent conditions for exciting work.
There were no shortcomings and omissions, everything went, as they say, “without a hitch and without a hitch.” And in addition to practical skills and knowledge about the work of the largest international organization, each of the forum participants found something of their own. In a word: everyone was happy and joyful. Because they felt like adults who can solve current problems.
His comrade in ideological arms, Shukurgeldi Myradov, fully agrees with his young colleague at work in the simulated United Nations:
During the simulation of the activities of the UN committees, we realized that it is not necessary to be an adult to have at least a little power in decision-making. We realized that young people, along with their elders, can find the right answers to difficult tasks and be equal partners in the implementation of important plans.
It’s hard to be an adult, but it’s not easy to be young either. However, it will take some time and today’s teenagers, boys and girls will become truly independent and responsible not only for themselves. And they will no longer have to solve big problems in a playful way, but in real life.
We enjoyed participating in a playful way, imitating the activities of United Nations committees, not only in the search for solutions, but also in their development.
We liked being the initiators of the right adult ideas. And when a person likes some business, then he will definitely achieve his goal, no matter what difficulties and obstacles!
...Is it so? Are games for young people capable of becoming the basis for solving global problems in the disappointing future?
I am ready to repeat again and again: the fate of tomorrow is in the hands of today’s youth, – says the regional director of the USAID project “Safe Migration in Central Asia” Eleanor Valentine. – Wonderful, energetic, gifted guys from all the countries of Central Asia gathered in Ashgabat. Looking at their desire to make the world a better place, we believe that in the near future, having accumulated experience, they will be able to become real leaders. And it is possible that some of them will preside over the sessions of the United Nations.
I am very impressed with the Ashgabat meetings and what I saw and heard at the regional Model UN conference. The guys who had just received the assignment immediately, without special training, worked so professionally in the committeee that I am sure that in the future they will become highly qualified, professional leaders and diplomats. Therefore, I do not lose hope for our good future!
The US Ambassador to Turkmenistan Matthew Stephen Klimov immediately joins the conversation:
And for me, the “Model UN” is a personal question, because Eddie and I have (editor’s note – Eddie Gunnels, wife of Ambassador Klimou) there is a son who, at one time, being young, as well as young people from the Ashgabat forum, also participated in model UN conferences. Thanks to this, he learned to conduct debates, listen to people with sincere respect, learned to formulate his ideas and conclusions, etc.
It is not surprising that these skills, laid down thanks to a seemingly ordinary adult game, allowed him to enter the law faculty, after which he began working as a lawyer-diplomat in the State Department. And now he is an international law lawyer at one of the security commissions in Washington.
Therefore, I believe, – the American diplomat stressed, – that a lot begins with the “UN Model”, because such role-playing games teach you to find a compromise, be correct, be fully involved in really important things and much more. As a result, such classes give self–confidence when speaking in public, instill organizational skills – and all this is concentrated in one training event.
At the forum, it was extremely interesting for me to observe the internal growth of young people not only from Turkmenistan, but also from the entire Central Asian region. Eddie and I have been in Turkmenistan for almost 4.5 years, and when we come to an event like this one, we are energized, immersed in what is happening, and are ready to continue our work, seeing how such wonderful processes are taking place in Turkmenistan.
The youth of your country and region have a bright future!
Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV
