Discovering diplomacy

More than 500 young participants from 113 institutions in roughly 20 countries and regions attend the Beijing International Model United Nations over June 8-11 at China Foreign Affairs University to learn how to manage the world as adult leaders. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Broader horizons

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a message of greetings to participants before the opening of this year's BIMUN.

"At Model UN, you broaden your horizons. By leading and networking, you can be part of the UN's efforts to establish peace, secure human rights and enable all people to live in dignity."

This vision is shared by German student Lukas Eggert, who participated for the first time in the Asian International Model United Nations earlier this year.

"At first, I just wanted to have a glance into the minds of other people," says the 20-year-old Chinese studies major at Peking University in Beijing. "Our major is not just about the language but also about understanding the cultural history and the future of China."

Eggert enjoyed the dialogue and presenting ideas.

He says participating changed his views on such issues as the Belt and Road Initiative.

His experience at this year's MUN made him realize that the German media, for example, rarely discuss the initiative from the perspectives of such countries as China.

"Talking about those points and actually looking into the Chinese media ... helps you understand it's just a peaceful way of developing the world and developing it together," he says.

"Dialogue is the most important thing. No matter how far the positions are apart from each other, you can always find a consensus."