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University of Cyprus students in Model United Nations competition

Students of the University’s Department of Social and Political Sciences will play role of UK representatives in various organs of the UN.

University of Cyprus students with HC Ric Todd

University of Cyprus students with HC Ric Todd.

British High Commissioner Ric Todd met University of Cyprus students set to represent the United Kingdom in this year’s Model United Nations conference in Rome from 5 to 8 March 2016. The group of 10 students from the University’s Department of Social and Political Sciences will play the role of United Kingdom representatives in various organs of the United Nations at the conference, including the Security Council, General Assembly, UN High Commission for Refugees and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The theme of this year’s conference is “Youth and Future Global Challenges”.

The students, accompanied by Dr. Aristoteles Constantinides, Assistant Professor of International Law and Human Rights at the Law Department of the University of Cyprus and assistant faculty adviser Marinos Papaioakeim, were welcomed by the High Commissioner at his official residence in Nicosia. Discussion focussed on the conflict and humanitarian crisis resulting from the situation in Syria – a subject of this year’s conference – as well as the migration crisis in Europe, and the EU’s strategic relationship with Turkey.

High Commissioner Ric Todd said: “I wish the students of the University of Cyprus well in the Model United Nations competition. It was good to have the opportunity to discuss with them the critical challenges posed to the international community by the situation in Syria, and to hear fresh perspectives on those challenges from the youth of Cyprus.”

Published 18 February 2016