SCI was chosen by the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) to be its charity partner for 2015, introducing NTDs to a whole new audience.

Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) is the oldest, largest, and most diverse student-run model United Nations conference in the world.  The conference aims to recreate the spirit of diplomacy that originally defined the United Nations. It serves as a forum in which students from colleges and universities around the world can meet to discuss the greatest challenges facing the world today, in fields ranging from international peace and security to economic and social progress and human rights. In this spirit, the goal of HNMUN is to begin a process whereby constructive debate today can lead to solutions tomorrow. 

Between 12-15 February, 3,000 delegates from more than 70 countries descended on Boston (USA) and participated in this year’s HNMUN, experiencing the challenges of international negotiation and diplomacy. As a leading international relations forum for university students across the globe, the mission is to bring together and educate the next generation of leaders in international affairs.

Positive social impact is a critical component of the conference, with the Secretariat and Staff devoted to making positive impacts in the lives of delegates both during and after the conference and inspiring them to do the same in their communities.  To this end a charity partner is selected each year and delegates are introduced to the mission and purpose of the organization as well as the broader issues they are contributing too. This year SCI was the chosen charity partner of the HNMUN 2015. 

Delegates were introduced to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), the transmission cycle, the impact they have on the poorest populations on the planet, available treatment, cost of these interventions and the effect treatment has on development. Conversations included discussions on international aid budget allocation, corruption, development, global health interventions, the role of the World Health Organization (WHO), amongst others.  Due to the incredible generosity of these international students $2,465 was raised for SCI during this year’s conference. This will enable SCI to treat and protect at least 4,930 children against schistosomiasis and intestinal worms. Thank you HNMUN!!!

SCI’s involvement with HNMUN was a fantastic opportunity to introduce the next generation to an issue the majority had never heard of. SCI hopes that conversations about the work we do and the realistic goals set to eliminate these neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a public-health problem will continue for many years to come in delegate’s homes, universities and places of work. We have achieved unimaginable progress over the last 10 years, we must keep the momentum going and ensure the next generation of leaders continue working towards these horrific diseases of poverty.