Official SMUN Patron

H.E. Ambassador Jan Eliasson

Official patron of Stockholm Model United Nations, Ambassador Jan Eliasson, was until recently the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Darfur. He is former President of the UN General Assembly and former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. He was keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the 2006 SMUN Conference.

Letter of Support by H.E. Ambassador Jan Eliasson

Stockholm
October 2, 2008

Dear Friends,

The international community is presently facing a world of complex and wide-ranging challenges. From poverty, water shortage and ethnic strife to desertification and the urgent crisis of climate change, these challenges must be met by countries in collaboration; a collaboration for which the United Nations was founded over 60 years ago.

Demands on the UN continue to grow. In this aspect, the commitment of Stockholm Model United Nations is of vital importance, in building a better understanding of multilateralism, and of the values and mechanisms enshrined in the UN Charter, in the continuous strife for peace and security for all.

SMUN brings together students for debate on issues of international relevance, equipping them with the skills necessary in a world characterised by cross-cultural confrontation and cooperation. In seeking to advance knowledge and commitment for the UN among young people, SMUN is effectively building the foundation for a future in which the world Organization plays a key role in handling the challenges facing us.

I am delighted to send my warmest encouragement and support to the activities of Stockholm Model United Nations during 2008.