From February 28th through March 4th, the Sixteenth National United Nations Model Conference of Havana, HAVMUN 2011 will be held at the San Jeronimo College, in the Cuban capital; an academic event where discussions of the main Organizations and Organisms from the UN on the current world's problems will be represented.

The meeting is held yearly and is sponsored by the University Students Federation (FEU), University of Havana, the Cuban Association of the United Nations (ACNU), the Latin American and Caribbean Students Organization (OCLAE) and the National Union of Jurists of Cuba (UNJC).

Particularly in Cuba, the first NMUN Conference was held in year 1996, but its beginnings in history dates from the early 20th century, in 1923, as a simulation of the League of the Nations.

The current NMUN version was constituted in 1946, shortly after the foundation of the UN. This Conference is the oldest and one of the most prestigious in the world, as it starts from a real practice to a simulation, in which those students interested in researching difficulties and complexities of international negotiations play the role of representatives of the UN member countries.

Essentially, delegates from the committees are responsible for creating a committee in an attempt of finding a solution in each topic. The process of preparation involves research and knowledge of the running of the world organization on the part of their representatives.

In this regard, the Cuban event develops oratory, negotiation and communication skills very useful for students´ future professional development, who assume the representation of different states, members of the organs of the UN systems.

Participants are students from different universities and pre-university schools, even young people from other countries who are studying in Cuba, as well as teachers from various
educational institutions in the country.

Students are separated into five committees: the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council, the First Committee of the UNGA and the Security Council, the latter in English; they should submit and approve work resolutions after a collective discussion.

International issues based on respect for the principles of the UN and international law are discussed, and from that perspective, and following that line the meeting also  intends to promote knowledge on history, law and politics.

Among the issues discussed over all the years at the HAVMUN include: Rights for children and women, health, foreign policy and emigrants´ problems, the violation of human rights, the conflicts in the Middle East, construction of the wall on the border between Mexico and the U.S.A and that between Palestine and Israel, the struggle against the scourge of drugs, nuclear energy program for civilian use and the treaty of nuclear non-proliferation, and the declaration against the nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

Certainly, the agenda includes the U.S. blockade against Cuba, the battle for the release of the five antiterrorist fighters imprisoned in the United States and against terrorism,
especially in these times when the US Empire is trying to protect the notorious terrorist Luis Posada Carriles.

During an interview in 2007 with Jessie Morales Cotto, a specialist of the Cuban Association of the United Nations (ACNU), she asserted that Cuba is a pioneer in these kinds of meetings, all above in Latin America.

According to statements, experts and students who have participated in several editions, the Cuban model increasingly gains prestige and has its own characteristics like that of

reaffirming the island’s claim to respect multilateralism, the principles of the UN Charter, distorted by pressures of powerful countries like the U.S.A  and Israel.

According to Bryan Navarrete Gual, HAVMUN 2011general secretary, this meeting of cultural and scientific exchange engages young people to respect peace, self determination, integration and peoples’ sovereignty.

Carlos Amat, ACNU director general, highlighted the importance of HAVMUN, which allows people to know the running of the General Assembly and become interested in their activities."

For young Oscar Redondo Ramos, former HAVNUM general secretary, this is an event that contributes to foster the UN ideals and projects, to raise awareness of the unfair realities of the current worldwide situation and build a solid base to fight for the future we all deserve. 

In HAVMUN 2010, more than 300 Cuban and foreign delegates declared themselves in favor of a just present, and the building of a future of peace, justice, sovereignty and independence for all.

For the first time, HAVMUN was also recognized as an educational- scientific event that provided bonus point for students’ average grade, for which a prestigious tribunal of professors from the Higher Institute of International Relations and the University of Havana evaluated the delegates performance on that occasion

Also each edition was dedicated to prominent figures that have defended noble causes in favor of humanity and the Cuban people throughout history.

For instance, in HAVMUN 2007 former Foreign Affair Minister Raul Roa, a genuine example of diplomacy in Cuba, received the honor as well as the unforgettable Commander Ernesto Che Guevara, on the occasion of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth and the 40th of his death.

The next event will start on February 28th and will be dedicated to 170th anniversary of Ignacio Agramonte’s birth, a Cuban patriot of the independence war and a notable jurist, and the strengthening of the UN General Assembly, a claim by youngsters from Cuba and other parts of the world.

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