Author: Aidan Bhargave | Major: Business Management and Organizational Leadership | Semester: Fall 2024
Committee photo with our new friend!
Over Thanksgiving Break, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Nation Model United Nations (NMUN) conference in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. From the beginning of college, I knew I wanted to participate in NMUN, because of my academic and professional interest in global refugee resettlement and sustainable development, both issues discussed at the conference. In addition, hearing stories from Dr. Stapp and the past alumni was ever more reason to want to attend the conference. Each of the topics discussed at the conference plays a significant role in our everyday life, making it even more important to learn and grow in a place like the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its biodiversity and commitment to sustainability, provided a unique experience for exploring issues tied to sustainability and urban development, allowing each of us to engage with global challenges while developing solutions tailored to real-world problems.
NMUN’s focus on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which emphasizes making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, immediately caught my attention. These objectives align directly with my honors thesis, Entrepreneurship, Laws, and Community Support’s Impact on Economic Growth and Integration for Refugees in Northwest Arkansas. Representing Ethiopia in the UN-Habitat Committee provided a distinct opportunity to analyze these goals through the lens of resettlement and urban planning. Ethiopia’s urban areas face numerous challenges, including housing shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and a rapidly growing population due to internal displacement and refugee arrivals. Exploring these issues at NMUN allowed me to look at the issues we see in Arkansas on a global scale, which is an opportunity I will never take for granted.
Additionally, this program offered a chance to collaborate with students and experts from around the world. The diversity of participants allowed me to interact with a wide range of perspectives, pushing me to think critically and work on problem-solving. I was particularly drawn to the idea of representing a country like Ethiopia, who is currently balancing urbanization with sustainable development. Through this experience, I was able to learn how nations with limited resources can implement innovative solutions to meet SDG 11.
My interest in this program and region was fueled by my desire to understand sustainability and urban development on a global scale. The Galapagos Islands are an extraordinary example of how to balance environmental conservation with human needs. Their commitment to maintaining biodiversity while fostering sustainability was extremely interesting and is a lesson I would like to see brought home.
At NMUN, my role as one of the Head Delegates representing Ethiopia in UN-Habitat involved research and collaboration. My primary focus was preparing a position paper outlining Ethiopia’s urban challenges and proposing actionable solutions. Ethiopia faces rapid population growth, housing deficits, and limited infrastructure development.
In my position paper, I emphasized Ethiopia’s efforts to integrate refugees into urban communities while addressing the broader goals of SDG 11. For example, I highlighted initiatives already in place by the UN within Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, which aim to improve access to housing, education, and employment while strengthening urban infrastructure. I also proposed solutions, such as an Urban Sustainability and Housing Initiative, taking underutilized public infrastructure to convert into affordable housing units.
Collaboration was the most important part of the conference. Working with delegates from all backgrounds allowed us to create a comprehensive resolution that balanced each Member States priorities with global goals. This required negotiation, active listening, and problem-solving. One of the most rewarding moments was drafting a resolution that addressed urban challenges while incorporating the needs of vulnerable populations, including the elderly and refugees.
One important lesson I learned was the value of teamwork and listening to different perspectives. At the conference, I worked with students from many countries, each with unique ideas. By combining our viewpoints, we were able to create better solutions. This taught me that collaboration is essential, even when people have different opinions. I will carry this lesson into my work with campus organizations at the U of A, and within my future career.
Studying abroad at the Nation Model United Nations Conference showed me how local and global issues are connected. In the Galapagos, I saw how sustainability and development work together, inspiring myself and my classmates to consider how we can apply our knowledge within our studies and leadership roles in the future.