Jadavpur University has traditionally been a home to pedagogy in its purest form. Rooted in the idea of participatory, holistic education, this university has been a bastion of free thought, speech, and expression throughout its life, and has always prioritised academic and intellectual excellence instead of rote-learning and rigid curriculum. Generations of students have had their worldviews irrevocably altered in this institution, breaking free from the hierarchies of knowledge, and have contributed to this venerable idea of a university, each contributing a verse to the never- ending poem. Perhaps more importantly, here, pluralism is regarded as an essential component of modern society. Difference of opinions on difficult, complex topics are inevitable in a society of free thought, and it is necessary to expose oneself to the diversity of society, instead of locking oneself up in an echo-chamber of similar thoughts.

Perhaps it is inevitable that in such an atmosphere, a concept such as a Model United Nations Conference would flourish. The delegation of Jadavpur University has won the KIIT International Model United Nations Conference for three times in a row, and has conquered SRM MUN 2017, BESC AON 2017 and RUMUN 2017 in similar panache. The delegation is now synonymous with excellence, and it was from this collective solidarity that the idea of JUMUN germinated, was nurtured, and from where it bloomed to be the event it is today. The stamp of talented individuals is evident on JUMUN throughout the years, and perhaps I can start in no better way to speak about JUMUN 2018 than by paying homage to the wonderful individuals who have made JUMUN what it is today. You know who you are, and I would like to thank you on behalf of the team for molding and shaping such a wonderful event, and for nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. JUMUN remembers you.

In this fourth edition of JUMUN, organised in March 2018, we are organising eight committees on diverse agendas, ranging from climate change to discussing women's rights in the context of work, and we are looking forward to productive and fruitful debate. At the same time, we do recognise a peculiar affliction with Indian society in general, which is excessive rhetoric, and a paucity of initiative. Faced with an unresponsive state and rapacious corporations, the archetypal Indian society is apathetic to and distrusting of change, viewing the status quo as the only viable alternative. The answer to this is civil society, in ‘ordinary’ citizens exercising their democratic rights and fundamental duties in a simple, effective and collectivized manner. Such seemingly small ripples inevitably result in changes which are often incomprehensible to us. In a world of polarised media and chaotic newsrooms, it is indeed pleasantly surprising to find the consensus of young students in agreeing on change. And it is through this form of organic solidarity that change must eventually be effected, and it is through these young minds, the citizens of tomorrow, that the future will be molded. Sometimes, it's the very people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.

We believe that there is real capacity for change, both in us and around. And hence, we will be working with college and school students to launch the Civil Society Initiative, in order to effect small changes, and through them, effect the world. We, here at Jadavpur University, believe that an MUN conference should not be centered around or end with 3 days of intense debate and no affirmative action. The CSI will focus on immediate community development and improvement, with emphasis on gender equality, climate change, awareness programmes, crowd-sourced education for the underprivileged and other acts of responsible citizenry.

In a world of great uncertainty, economic instability and mandatory linkages, we must fight for our way of life, and we must do it the only way we can. Together.

Regards,
Dibyajyoti Basak
Secretary-General
secretarygeneral@jumun.org

Jadavpur University