On the morning of July 26th, the "Setting Sail with Dreams, Connecting the World" 2024 4th Canal City Model United Nations Conference officially opened in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Huang Ping, Consul General of China in New York; Adriani Wahjanto, Deputy Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China; Yang Jun, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange; and Giordano Lorefice, founder of the United Nations of Europe (UNE), delivered video speeches. Xu Sheng, Vice Chairman of the Yangzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the event and delivered a speech. Also present were Yang Weimin, Second-Level Inspector of the Yangzhou Overseas Chinese Federation; Xia Ying, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Yangzhou Municipal People's Government; Chen Tingbi, Second-Level Researcher of the Yangzhou Municipal Education Bureau; Zhang Xu, Director of the Student Social Practice Management Center of the Yangzhou Municipal Education Bureau; Li Yiming, Chief Coordinator of the Canal City Model United Nations Conference; and Liu Jian, Executive Director of Window to Philadelphia.
At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Huang Ping, Consul General of China in New York, on behalf of the Consulate General of China in New York, extended warm congratulations on the successful convening of this conference and expressed sincere gratitude to the Yangzhou Municipal Education Bureau and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Yangzhou Municipal People's Government for their hard work in organizing the event. Consul General Huang Ping stated that he hopes the participating delegates will keep in mind the mission of building a community with a shared future for mankind while discussing global hot topics, and promote the common development and progress of all humanity. Finally, he wished all student delegates outstanding achievements at this year's Canal City Model United Nations Conference and expressed his hope that Chinese and international students would shine brightly on the global stage in the near future!
Xu Sheng, Vice Chairman of the Yangzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Jiangsu Province, delivered a speech. He stated that the "Canal City Model United Nations Conference" is an event that helps young people broaden their international perspectives, enhance their personal abilities, and cultivate team spirit. He expressed his hope that the youth would unleash their youthful ideals, envision the future of the world, showcase their youthful spirit, and contribute their youthful energy, striving to become idealistic, hardworking, and innovative young individuals of the new era.
Ms. Adriani Wahjanto, Deputy Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China, also delivered a video message. Ms. Wahjanto stated that the Canal City Model United Nations event brings together globally-minded youth to discuss critical humanitarian issues, making it an important initiative to strengthen young people's engagement in global affairs.
Yang Jun, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange, delivered a video speech. He stated that the Canal City Model United Nations Conference, rooted in China with a global perspective and focused on the present while looking toward the future, actively engages in global governance with a sense of responsibility and innovative spirit. As a cross-border and cross-cultural exchange platform, it provides an important stage for young students from different countries and regions to showcase their talents, demonstrate their wisdom, exchange ideas, and hone their skills.
Mr. Giordano Lorefice, founder of the United Nations official organization, United Network Europe (UNE), stated that UNE is committed to promoting innovative learning experiences for young students in Europe (particularly in Italy and France) and the United States. Its Global Citizens Model United Nations (GCMUN) project brings together youth from around the world for meaningful dialogue. He expressed his hope that through collaboration with the Canal City Model United Nations Conference, global youth can develop international perspectives and cooperative skills, jointly address global challenges, and cultivate the next generation of global leaders.
The event invited Principal Yao Guoping of Yizheng High School in Jiangsu Province, representing school leaders, to deliver a speech. He stated that through simulating the dynamic and intense diplomatic arena, young participants can experience the cooperation and competition among nations. By engaging in critical thinking and adapting to the changes of the times, they can use a developmental perspective to address international issues. He emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural confidence to tell China's stories well, embracing multiculturalism to convey the spirit of China, gaining knowledge through specialized learning, and forming lasting friendships through practical activities.
Li Yiming, Chief Coordinator of the Canal City Model United Nations Conference, delivered a speech. She expressed her hope that Chinese and international students, while participating in the conference, would learn mutual understanding and tolerance when facing challenges, seek common ground while reserving differences when encountering disagreements, and remain calm and thoughtful when met with denial or misunderstanding. She emphasized that the experience of participating in the Model United Nations is not only about competing on the same stage but also about growing and progressing together. Following her speech, Li Yiming officially declared the conference open.
Li Yiming, Chief Coordinator of the Canal City Model United Nations Conference, delivered a speech. She expressed her hope that Chinese and international students, while participating in the conference, would learn mutual understanding and tolerance when facing challenges, seek common ground while reserving differences when encountering disagreements, and remain calm and thoughtful when met with denial or misunderstanding. She emphasized that the experience of participating in the Model United Nations is not only about competing on the same stage but also about growing and progressing together. Following her speech, Li Yiming officially declared the conference open.
Zhu Yuanxuan, a student at Archbishop John Carroll High School in the United States, shared her unique connection with Model United Nations during an interview. She expressed her honor in serving as an intern chair for the UNHCR at the 2024 CCMUN, describing it as a fresh and rare experience. Previously, she had only participated as a delegate, but this role gave her a deeper understanding of Model United Nations. As a high school freshman in the U.S., she was introduced to a broader and more diverse world through Dinuo International Education. CCMUN has provided her with many insights, not only enhancing her leadership, organizational, and language skills but also improving her ability to conduct social research. It has given her a better and more comprehensive understanding of the world.
Cornelia Ye (Ye Kangning) from Ithaca High School in Ithaca, NY, shared in an interview that Model United Nations has broadened her perspective on foreign policy and international governance, while also allowing her to meet many talented individuals. She learned about this conference while visiting her family in Yangzhou and saw it as a unique opportunity to interact with students from diverse backgrounds. They inspired her to approach global challenges from new perspectives, and she expressed deep gratitude to the organizers and fellow delegates for their support throughout the process. She looks forward to meeting more delegates at future events!
