At a young age, Rishabh Shah saw a vision of providing teenagers with a platform to replicate the United Nations sessions. He wanted to give India its rightful place on the international stage. And today, after the launch of I.I.M.U.N. (India’s International Movement to Unite Nations) in 2011, he has been able to do so by hosting over 100 United Nations model conferences, giving a chance to over five million students.
Shah, who is also a keen writer, is proud that his initiative is setting a benchmark and setting new heights. “Little did I know that what started as a Model UN would one day reach 220 cities and 35 countries and catapult into a public affairs platform that is a Movement to Unite Nations,” he said.
“With annual I.I.M.U.N. conferences in over 108+ cities and 22+ countries, the credit for whatever little we have achieved goes to the 26,000+ students who have altruistically worked and the 7,000+ students who currently volunteer with the organisation – making I.I.M.U.N. – the world’s largest youth-run non-profit organisation,” he added.
So how does I.I.M.U.N. work? The youth organisation is focused on hosting academic stimulation sessions for students in the age group of 13 to 19. In its model sessions, students role-play as diplomats and deliberate on international, national, and local issues, which raises eyebrows. The students are allowed to represent bodies such as the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Environment Programme, to discuss topics like reforms to the Security Council.
A Significant Milestone
India’s International Movement to Unite Nations has achieved many significant milestones since its launch. But one that stands out is I.I.M.U.N., becoming the world’s first and only external civil society organisation to hold a full-fledged United Nations model inside the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The I.I.M.U.N. USA conference saw Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist of the World Bank, De. Kaushik Basu, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, permanent representative of India to the United Nations, as the key speakers.
“The best part about being youth-run and having only those below 22 years of age is that the team’s naivety allows us to remain pure in purpose and maintain an ubiquitously low profile,” Shah noted.
“What, however, I am most proud about is the numerous elected members of government, authors, lawyers, and civil servants that the organisation has managed to produce from the ranks of those who once worked and participated at I.I.M.U.N,” he added.
Students Debated on the 26/11 Mumbai Attack
In 2016, to commemorate the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, a large number of students debated at a four-day event at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. The students, who can grow up to be diplomatic leaders in the near future, debated on various topics ranging from terrorism to India’s permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council.
The conference presented a chance to the youngsters to play the role of diplomats from various countries and were expected to defend their stance on the issues. In the conference, the young delegates also interacted with the representative of India’s Mission to the UN, Prakash Shah. In return, Shah shared his perspective on how the real United Nations and other government bodies function.
The I.I.M.U.N.-organized conference replicated the working model of the United Nations General Assembly. Eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithvraj Chavan, filmmaker Rohit Shetty, choreographer Terrance Lewis, All-India Anti Terror Front Chairman Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, and Mr World Rohit Khandelwal were present on the first day to make keynote speeches.
Politicians, Actors, Filmmakers Support The Cause
Shah’s approach has been supported not just by the young students but by celebrated stars in the film and television industry and politicians. In recent times, Bollywood actors like Dia Mirza, Karan Johar, Shraddha Kapoor, and Boman Irani, Amitabh Bachchan, Sarsanghchalak of RSS Mohan Bhagwat, Member of Parliament & Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have been vocal about I.I.M.U.N.
“A young mind, a young endeavour – I.I.M.U.N. is spreading knowledge and broadening horizons,” Amitabh Bachchan said about the organization.
“Bharat is the only nation that can unite the world, and I.I.M.U.N. is doing a great job at spreading Indian-ness,” Mohan Bhagwat noted.
“I.I.M.U.N. is instilling leadership abilities, the Indian way in the next generation and filling a huge vacuum,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Conclusion
In this day and age, a lot of patriotic youngsters think about representing India and raising its flag at a global level. But Shah has been a true inspiration. He has achieved the same and continues to do the work in order to allow youngsters to live their dreams.
In India, there are a lot of change makers like Shah, and if you like such narratives, do check our feed regularly as Gujpreneur comes up with many such stories!
