Yogyakarta State University (YSU) always provides facilities for its student to develop their talent and interest in all fields. This is evidenced by the wide range of student activity units in the campus, one of which is Student Activity Unit in Research. One of the members, Rifaldy Fajar (Mathematics Department 2014) was recently back home after having a ‘battle’ in the competition of Nanyang Technological University-Model of United Nation (NTU-MUN) in Singapore (19-21/2). The Model of United Nations (MUN) is a simulation forum of the UN by a variety of institutions in the world. It is held by the Nanyang Technological University MUN Club. These activities take place from February 19 to February 21 2016 at Nanyang Executive Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. NTU MUN is an international event that invites participants from varying study backgrounds, namely students of senior high schools and colleges, both local and oversees such as from America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

Fajar Rifaldy, the student of YSU represented Indonesia at the very prestigious event. In the simulation, Rifaldy belongs to Organisation of American States and represents El Salvador. Model United Nations provides a simulation of the UN meeting, where each participant will serve as a delegate from a country and be part of one of the Board of the United Nations. Not only good at English communication, the participants are also required to have skills in drafting MoU, lobbying, and diplomacy.

The Boards of UN attending the 2016 NTU MUN 2016 are GA (General Assembly) which consists of DISEC (Disarmament and International Security), ECOFIN (Economic and Financial Council), and SOCHUM (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee). The ECOSOC and the Regional Bodies compose of UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific), UNEP (the United Nations Human Right Council) and UNCSD (United Nations Commission on Social Development). The Specialized Agencies are comprising the OAS (Organisation of American States), Indonesia 1998 Crisis Committee, CCIA (Convert Conference for Intelligence Agencies) and the UNSC (United Nations Security Council). Then,it was the Press Corps who was in charge to report any case in the council.

At the model, Rifaldy Fajar served as a delegate of El Salvador in the OAS (Organisation of American States). He considered this is a very tough council because there were 15 representatives from some countries in the council so that all delegates were required actively to contribute in the discussion, debate and negotiation held for 3 days. There was Position Paper discussing two main topics from each delegate, namely Continental Narcotics Trade and Free Trade Area in the United States. Those were two sensitive issues which must be detailed by Rifaldy from the perspective of El Salvador. In his opinion, this is a great experience to be in an international forum. Rifaldy hopes his fellow colleagues from YSU can always learn from numerous places and conditions. He suggests to take advantage of the previlage as a student to continue upgrade self capacity. (Astri UKMP)