NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Students and teachers of high schools in New Providence and the Family Islands participated in a Bahamas Rotary Clubs Model United Nations Simulation (MUNS) on Friday at Holy Trinity Activity Centre, Stapledon Gardens.  In this mock UN session the students debated the topic, ‘Water for Life: Ensuring Availability and Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation,’ with awards presented to those who were most effective.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren Henfield, was Permanent Secretary Jack Thompson, who expressed his delight at attending the event and praised the participants for their hard work. He said the debate was happening at a pivotal moment in the world.

“We gather at a time when faith in multilateralism is being tested globally, when there is concern about the efficacy and fairness of the rules-based order grounded in international law, and when the collective will to resolve our planet’s biggest challenges -- such as climate change, poverty and human rights is in doubt,” said Mr. Thompson.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the government is committed to doing its part in order to be a good steward of its own natural resources, such as water.

“The Bahamas remains a firm believer in both the necessity and promise of multilateralism, in particular with respect to institutions such as the United Nations,” he said. “As a small state with big ambitions, we depend on institutions such as the United Nations to engage the world in our interests and to enforce the rules-based frameworks that allow for big states and small states alike to compete on a level playing field.”

Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Sharon Brennen-Haylock said that all measures must be taken in order to ensure water safety.

“Water safety and availability is of importance to The Bahamas, whether it has to do with sanitation, hygiene, fresh and safe drinking water, or water as it pertains to the management of our oceans and maritime resources,” said the Director. “Climate change has impacted water supplies and the marine biodiversity and has obliged us to pay greater attention to these precious resources.”

Speaking on behalf of President of Rotary International, Barry Rassin, was Mrs. Sheila Bethel, Chair of MUNS and the Rotary Public Image Coordinator.  Mrs. Bethel thanked the participants and said that as climate change and global warming continue to affect the world, more understanding about the global crisis and solutions to issues are key to addressing the impending challenges.

“This is an issue, which will impact you, our youth, and it is imperative that we as a global entity and particularly as Bahamians, with our vulnerability to sea level variation, be aware of the urgent need for us to take action now, not later when it will, in fact, be too late.”

The participating schools and the countries they represented included: Aquinas College (United States); North Long Island High School (Brazil); Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy (Haiti); Central Eleuthera High School (Yemen); Lucaya International School (Venezuela); Jack Hayward High School (Switzerland); Patrick Bethel High School (The Netherlands); Sunland Baptist Academy (China); St. John’s College (Cuba); NGM Major High School (South Africa); C.C. Sweeting High School (The Bahamas); Queen’s College (Costa Rica); St. Francis de Sales (Israel); St. Augustine’s College (Sudan); and Forest Heights Academy (UN Secretariat).

In attendance were Mrs. Patricia Minnis, of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, and diplomatic and Rotary Clubs representatives.