Beijing hosts latest Model SCO

On 15 April 2019, the SCO Secretariat hosted the fourth Model SCO interactive educational game, during which high school students from the SCO member states enrolled in the Russian Embassy School in the People's Republic of China modelled the activity of the SCO National Coordinators Council, one of the main SCO mechanisms.

It took the students two hours to model a meeting of the SCO National Coordinators Council, during which they discussed the main areas of interaction between SCO member states in ensuring peace and sustainable development in the region, and formulated proposals for the further development of multilateral cooperation.

This year, special attention was paid to the Address of the SCO Heads of State to the Youth adopted following the SCO summit in Qingdao in June 2018.

"Youth policy is a priority for the SCO; it aims to facilitate the physical, intellectual and spiritual development of the young generation, as well as to involve the youth in large-scale joint development plans," said SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov.

Vladimir Norov also emphasised the need to expand the Model SCO project beyond the Secretariat in order to bring together as many young people in the SCO space as possible.

"Model SCO is an established brand," said Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the People's Republic of China, Andrei Denisov. The Ambassador presented the book, The Path of Confucius, devoted to the life of the famous Chinese philosopher, to the school's headmaster. He also wished each Model SCO participant success in reaching their goals.

Secretary-General Norov awarded the school students with certificates and commemorative gifts.

Valeria Vinokurova, who represented the interests of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the event, said: "I can compare this year's game with the one held last year. The fourth Model SCO was held in a more spirited atmosphere, and it filled us with a lot of positive emotions. I liked the idea of the Secretary-General to create a similar interactive game in all SCO member states." She also praised the work of Secretariat members in training the students.

Alexander Shkadinsky and Viktoria Los, who represented the SCO Secretariat, said enthusiastically that "it was a great experience for all of us to learn about the Organisation's activity."

"I am from Belarus, and to me it was all new and interesting. I would like to take part in the interactive game again," Alexander said.

Shakhzod Sobirzoda, who represented the Republic of Tajikistan, agreed with the other participants and expressed his desire to continue taking part in the SCO Model.

The Model SCO interactive game shows the growing interest of the younger generation to the SCO's work to strengthen mutual trust, friendship and neighbourly relations between the countries of the region.