Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of ILO for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, took part in the opening of the virtual Mentari Intercultural School Model United Nations (MISMUN) 2022.

Established since 2018, MISMUN is an initiative and platform of Mentari Intercultural School in Jakarta to facilitate students’ debates on current global affairs and nurture their analytic and negotiation skills to becoming resourceful global citizens through a simulation of a Committee Session or Court Proceeding.

Under the grand theme “Deciphering Legacies, Defining a Just and Equitable Society”, this year’s MISMUN selected ILO as one of the four committees together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Historical Crisis Council (HCC) and the Supreme Court (MA). Topic chosen for the ILO was “Improving Labour Condition in Developing Countries” with a specific scope on the hazardous working condition and the absent of adequate social protection.

“The institution was established in the middle of chaos after the World War One, Spanish flu pandemic and the first industrial revolution where millions of workers died and displaced, with the hope and aim to bring order and peace in the world of work. Thus, I am pleased to learn that ILO was selected as one of four committee of the discussion today and hope young participants involved can produce innovative solutions to address the issues of world of work and promote decent work, especially in the developing countries,” she said.

The event also attended by Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, who appreciated the initiative as a platform to train negotiation skills for future leaders. “Negotiation is one of the most important skills set in the next 10, 20 or even 5 years to come. Hence, the MUN, will enhance capability to stand on your ground. Use this opportunity as a training field to learn more, see more, and most importantly, listen more,” he said.

More than hundreds of international participants or delegates joined the event. They came from many countries including the Philippines, Hong Kong, India, Zimbabwe, and other nations. Participants would represent a country or a character, depending on their committee allocation, to work with other delegates in resolving their respective council topic.

“MISMUN 2022 is thriving to become an inclusive platform where students learn diplomacy through fun and interesting method. With such a multicultural present, we take this opportunity to exchange ideas, broaden our perspective and create a long-lasting network,” said Arsya Aryana, student of Mentari Intercultural School, who acted as Secretary General of MISMUN 2022.