The 5th National United Nations Knowledge Contest for College Students, co-hosted by the United Nations Association of China (UNA-China) and Beijing International Studies University (BISU) and organized by BISU's School of International Relations, was held on Nov 9, with representatives from 14 universities participating in it.
At the opening ceremony, Wang Ying, vice-president of UNA-China, offered congratulations for the hosting of the competition and praised the efforts made by Chinese universities in cultivating future professionals for international organizations. She said she wished the competition great success and all participants achieve good results.
Wang Ying delivers a keynote address.
Zheng Chengjun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC BISU Committee and vice-president of the university, welcomed the participants. He outlined the university's ongoing efforts in cultivating professionals for international organizations, from designing curricula to providing internship opportunities to students. He also made suggestions and set expectations for cultivating talents for international organizations.
Zheng Chengjun delivers a welcoming speech.
The contest is divided into two phases: a preliminary round and a final round. The preliminary round includes compulsory questions and rapid-fire questions, and the final round consists of compulsory questions, impromptu speeches and scenario simulations, demanding a wide breadth of knowledge and comprehensive ability from the contestants.
In the scenario simulation segment, contestants simulated the negotiating scene for global cybersecurity governance, assuming roles as representatives from China, the United States, the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the African Union, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, among others, and making statements and debating in English, before a judging panel made up of officials and experts who provided professional commentary on the contestants' performances.
Participants engage in the contest.
After intense competition, the team from China Foreign Affairs University won the grand prize; the teams from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics and the Qingdao University took the first prize, and the participants from the University of International Relations (UIR) and BISU got the second prizes. The teams from the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), the Beijing Language and Culture University and the Guangzhou Huashang College were also awarded for their outstanding performances. Three students from UIBE, UIR and BISU won individual prizes.
Guests, instructors and contestants pose for a group photo.
It is believed that the competition has further enhanced Chinese college students' awareness of United Nations issues and stimulated their enthusiasm for learning about UN affairs.
Since May 2017, the contest has been held annually at BISU, attracting the participation of teams from dozens of universities across the country.
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