Meiji University of Japan joins hands with Kasetsart University and Srinakarinwirot University in organizing a “Model UN Conference”, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

The purpose of the conference is threefold. First, is to let the students contemplate for themselves issues related to poverty and hunger in the region. Having grown up in affluent societies, students in Japan and Thailand seldom think about such issues. Second, is to provide the students with a chance to actively participate in discussions in an international environment. And third, is to let them learn about the specific UN protocols under which the conference is conducted.

At the Model UN Conference, the students were split into six country teams and acted as ambassadors or representatives of a particular country – Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – to discuss issues related to food security, specifically through the improvement of research and development and the reduction of food loss and waste.

The FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, stressed at the opening session that the world will face serious food security issues towards the year 2050 owing to population growth and the consequent increase in per capita food consumption, while at the same time facing many uncertainties regarding future food availability due to the stagnation or decline in arable land and natural resources, negative impacts of climate change, and rapid bio-energy development which may compete with food production. Therefore, the role of the younger generations who study agriculture or are engaged in agricultural research are critically important as they will play a key role in promoting agricultural productivity and securing our food in the future and for future generations. Mr Konuma encouraged the students by telling them that “You are the future. Without your efforts and contribution the world might not be able to produce enough food to meet the growing demand, and consequently, future world security, peace and stability will be compromised”.  

He went on to explain “This conference will not only benefit the students, but FAO as well. These students are the next generation of Asia’s experts in the field of agriculture. FAO values the conclusions and recommendations they presented at the end of the conference”. Mr Konuma expressed his wish that  the UN Model Conference would become a tradition held every year to attract young generations to learn more about the UN and facilitate their interest in becoming the future leaders of the UN.