bhubaneswar sai model united nations 2018 saimun a threeday international conference to deepen students understanding on global challenges and learn how to tackle those through negotiations and debates began at sai international school here on thursdayaround 500 national and 32 international delegates from 12 different countries such as the usa switzerland russia columbia costa rica djibuti yemen somalia saudi arabia bangladesh korea besides india are participating in the meet to address issues of global concern through deliberations and consensusit is a great place to learn about united nations i am glad to say that students can deepen their knowledge and understanding on global challenges and learn how to tackle those through negotiations and debates said masayuki taga consulate general of japan after inaugurating the 6th edition of saimun it is eastern indias largest model united nationstaga highly appreciated the rich culture and heritage of odisha and suggested that a tourist triangle can be developed around puri konark and bhubaneswar for japanese tourists he also spoke highly about the buddhist heritage sites of lalitgiri and ratnagiri and said that better tourism infrastructure around these areas will be a great attraction for japanese peopletaga showed his interest in students exchange educational programmes between japan and odisha and said that he would explore such possibilities for future collaboration he also spoke about sponsorship programmes in japan for foreign students and suggested that he would request the student exchange programme coordinator for japan to connect with educational institutes of the statechairman sai international school bijoy kumar sahoo wished the delegates all luck for a fruitful conference and said that each one of you as an individual has the potential to make the difference he added that you all give me a hope to build a better india not only through education but also through international understanding and peacethis year the international delegates interacted with students of shri harsha memorial school for deaf and dumb to discuss about united nations sustainable development goals the students also had an enriching session with suman rath a visually impaired resource person who briefed them about various career opportunities for special abled personssaimun 2018 has seven different committees like united nations development programme undp united nations security council unsc united nations educational scientific and cultural organization unesco united nations commission on the status of women uncsw world food programme wfp world health organization who and the economic and financial affairs council ecofin the various committees are deliberating on challenging issues like strengthening actions to safeguard the cultural heritage under attack from recovery to sustainable development at haiti emerging cyber security threats achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls fighting malnutrition in bangladesh addressing rohingya refugees addressing health emergency programs for refugees and displaced individuals in syria as well as the fight against financing terrorismdesigned after the international model united nations saimun is a simulation of the united nations that provides a platform for students to deliberate on contemporary international issues the event is held