THE Penang Model United Nations (PenangMUN) will return from Sept 12 to 14 at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), after a five-year break.
The youth conference is expected to draw around 150 participants, aged 13 to 25, from across Malaysia and the ASEAN region.
Themed around diplomacy and youth empowerment, this year’s conference is jointly organised by the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), the Penang Green Council (PGC), and the USM Student Representative Council (MPP USM).
The entire secretariat and organising committee are made up of young people.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi said PenangMUN stands out from conventional youth parliaments by simulating the United Nations.
“In typical legislative settings, debates are often framed around government versus opposition. But in the UN, there is no such division. Delegates must negotiate, lobby, and build consensus,” Gooi said during a media conference.
Gooi added that PenangMUN would provide a free preparatory workshop for first-time delegates on Sept 7 and 8, introducing them to the conference structure and procedures.
“MUN equips young people with the ability to bring global issues to the forefront and trains them in consultation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills that are critical in the professional world,” he said.
He also welcomed the federal government’s recent redefinition of “youth” as individuals up to age 30.
Citing statistics from the Registrar of Youth Societies (ROY), Gooi noted that 3,083 youth leaders under 30 are currently active in Penang, making up 52 per cent of all registered youth organisation leaders in the state.
He expressed pride in witnessing such a youth-driven initiative.
“This shows us that young people are already at the forefront of leadership in Penang. We are equipping them with the skills and mindset to carry this leadership well into their 30s, creating a generation ready to lead both locally and globally,” Gooi said.
PenangMUN 2025 co-secretary general and MUN Academy founder Winnie Choong said MUN fosters essential soft skills, vital for youths’ development.
“Our goal is to nurture young people with a strong Penang identity, rooted in culture and community, while remaining active in global discourse and sustainable development,” she said.
Registration for PenangMUN 2025 closes on Sept 9, with details available on the official website www.penangmun.com or via email at [email protected].
Among those present at the launch were PYDC general manager Lum Chia How, Penang MUN’25 legal adviser Lee Khai, PGC assistant general manager Hoo Huey Ching, and USM Student Representative Council vice-president Alka Kaur Sandhu.
Story by Edmund Lee