Odisha governor Ganeshi Lal on Saturday inaugurated KIIT International School’s ninth edition of the Model United Nations 2022 and shared his vision of a society that promotes an integrated education that brings teachers, students and parents on the same platform.

Founded in 2013 and coordinated by the KIIT University, the Model United Nations offers students a simulated platform to engage and deliberate on matters of national and international importance such as climate change and world peace.

The theme of the ninth edition is refugee challenges.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Lal said education should promote harmony and be all-inclusive and. Knowledge should promote the highest values of human development and imbibe simplicity and humility, he added. The governor said the teachers had a big role in shaping the “inner consciousness” that encouraged students to be truthful in their actions.

KIIT & KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta expressed his deepest gratitude to the governor for attending the event and described him as a storehouse of knowledge. He said the theme of the ninth edition — refugee challenges — was vital because of the displacements happening across the globe on account of multiple issues.

“Displacement is difficult, if it’s forced displacement, it is more difficult,” he said.

The MUN platform, he said, provided an opportunity to discuss and resolve contemporary issues and challenges.

“Baat karoge to baat banegi (issues can be resolved if we discuss them),” he said.

Talking about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Samanta said KIIT had made immense strides in meeting the objectives. He said that KIIT had been ranked the eighth-best university in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022 for the progress made in reducing inequalities.

The programme was attended by Abha Mishra, head of office (Odisha) at United Nations Development Programme, Mona Lisa Bal, chairperson of KIIT International School, and principal Dr Sanjya Suar.