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niversity students in Bandung organized and took part in a simulation of a United Nations climate change session meeting to improve their diplomatic skills and knowledge of international affairs.

The simulation, which was held at the Asia-Africa Conference Building, was themed United Framework Convention on Climate Change, and featured 176 students, all from the International Relations School at Parahyangan University.

“We run this program annually to enable students to acquire diplomatic skills needed in their future careers,” university rector Cecilia Lauw said during the opening ceremony on Saturday, adding that the program had been held since 1993.

The sessions included debates and lobbies.

“We created a session that really resembled the ones held at the United Nations. Students have learned all the theories of diplomacy and now they have to practice their knowledge in a real session,” I Nyoman Sudira, one of the lecturers, told The Jakarta Post.

Many graduates of the university’s International Relations Department have gone on to pursue careers at the Foreign Ministry, International organizations, and local and international companies, Sudira said.

Dimas Nugroho, chairman of the organizing committee, said the students had been preparing for the event for six months.

“We adopted climate change because this is a critical global issue,” Nugroho said.

He said the majority of developing countries were unable to face their counterparts in more advanced countries in climate change talks due to a lack of diplomatic skills and knowledge.

Aditya Harikhesa, one of the participants, acknowledged the benefits of the simulation. “We have learned a lot of diplomatic skills although at times I felt nervous,” Aditya said, adding that it was his ambition to become a diplomat.

— JP/Yuli Tri Suwarni