President of the General Assembly : Ayaana Parekh
"Democracy is never a final achievement. It is a call to an untiring effort."
- John F. Kennedy
Dear delegates and MUN directors,
Our world today is one that is increasingly fractured, increasingly in flux. The tenets of the cosmopolitan-world order are eroding, giving rise to a landscape characterized by rapid deglobalization and shifting power dynamics, from the Israel-Palestine conflict to the rising proliferation of cyber-warfare. It is within this challenging context that the three pillars of democracy, diversity and diplomacy emerge as beacons for charting a course towards collective prosperity and stability.
The new multipolar world order - a transition from the unipolar system that dominated much of the 20th century - is a testament to the success of diplomacy. From the establishment of the United Nations in 1945, where dialogue and negotiation replaced the rhetoric of war, to the creation of the African Union in 2001, diplomacy has paved the way for economic integration and joint prosperity, hence bridging divides and forging mutually beneficial alliances.
It is important to note, however, that this wary peace is only maintained due to the interdependent relationships between nations today - a direct consequence of the widespread-adoption of democracy, with an upward trend in the number of nations embracing democratic systems in the 21st century. Yet, democracy is never a final achievement. It is a call to an untiring effort to fulfill its promise of governance by and for the people, hence requiring continuous nurturing for the same.
Diversity, the mosaic of cultures, nations and peoples that serve as a hallmark of the United Nations, is inevitably a prerequisite to effective diplomacy and democracy - only when there is diversity may there be cooperation and inclusivity. At the same time, diversity cannot yield benefits without diplomacy - in its absence, diversity can become a source of discord and division. Hence, diversity enables democracy and diplomacy and vice versa in a symbiotic system of mutual reinforcement.
Yet, in our contemporary world, these principles of democracy, diversity and diplomacy are under threat. The rise of identity politics, coupled with increasing proliferation of non-state actors and sustainable threats challenges the delicate nature of collaboration in our world today. The onus is hence on you, delegates, as citizens of this global society, to reaffirm our commitment to these principles - to champion dialogue over discord, cooperation over confrontation, and inclusivity over isolationism.
As delegates of this Model United Nations conference, you have been entrusted with a noble task - to embody the spirit of diplomacy, to engage in constructive dialogue, and to seek solutions to the pressing issues facing our world - ensuring to promote diversity, democracy and diplomacy.
Delegates, the stage has been set and the world is yours to shape.
Warm Regards,
Ayaana Parekh
President of the General Assembly
DAIMUN 2024-25