Youth can serve as instruments for peace & love in world: Alva

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and general secretary of the party Margaret Alva today expressed the hope that youth in the country could serve as ideal instruments of peace, love and friendship in the world.

Speaking at the closing of the Indian Model United Nations Conference (INMUN) -- a simulation of the United Nations Assembly where young diplomats from six countries discussed over the last three days peaceful solutions to political, social, economic and environmental issues that threaten the world today Ms Alva said,''I hope these youngsters will serve as instruments of peace in the world and of love and friendship. After all, we all have a different way of living but ultimately we are all human beings and are all alike.'' She said conferences like the INMUN served as excellent training grounds to converse youngsters about ways to resolve the most crucial issues confronting the world through peaceful dialogue.

Ms Alva said the conference brought back memories of her own participation in such conferences during her college days in Bangalore.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Overseas Affairs Vyalar Ravi, who was present as a special guest at the closing of the conference, said,''Conferences like these serve as a unique experience for youngsters to understand the exercise of working in the United Nations and World Peace.

This is specially important in at present when there is increasing doubt about the UN as an effective instrument for World Peace. For instance, Veto power some times goes against the democratic working of the UN'' he said.

''I wish all these youngsters ultimately go on to become diplomats so that you get a chance to solve the problems of your nations and the world,''the Minister added.

Young diplomats from Indonesia, Bahrain, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka and India participated in the conference, held at the initiative of the Ryan International Group of Institutions, that began on Thursday.

A mock enactment of the UN Assembly with the objective of providing the senior students from across the world the opportunity to comprehend the dynamics of international diplomacy, the INMUN conference offered students a global perspective on major international and peace related issues. This year the theme was 'Young Leaders for World Peace'.

Speaking on the occasion, Ryan International Group of Institutions Managing Director Grace Pinto said,''The INMUN conference is an endeavour to train the young people of today to resolve the most crucial issues confronting the world through peaceful dialogues.

Independent research, resolution writing and effective communication are some of the competencies that the participants, we hope, will become proficient in during the course of the conference.'' During the conference, the young leaders stepped into the shoes of real life diplomats and took on the role of Secretary General, President and Vice - President of Security Council, ECOSOC, Human Rights Commission, Environment Commission and various Committees of General Assembly.

The conference also replicated the working of the various bodies of the United Nations.

''A lot of learning took place as we deliberated, issues of global concerns like real life international diplomats,''said Gunjan Chawala, the Secretary - General of the INMUN Conference.

On this occasion, Ms Alva and Mr Vyalar Ravi also presented awards for Best delegate and Best country profile.

UNI