MODEL UNITED NATIONS - MILANMUN 2011
WHAT IS A "MODEL UNITED NATIONS"?
A Model United Nations is a simulation of a U.N. conference.
The participants role-play as diplomats representing a nation or NGO in a simulated session of an organ or committee of the U.N., such as the Security Council or the General Assembly.
Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems in the form of a resolution.
They learn about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.
Participants must employ a variety of communication and critical thinking skills in order to represent the policies of their country. These skills include public speaking, debating, negotiating, conflict resolution, note taking, and technical writing. The conference is held in English.
OUR STUDENTS AT MILANMUN 2011
A group of 20 students of 2e participated this year in a Model United Nations. The conference was held in Milan, from April 7th to April 9th.
The advisors were Ms. Christelle LAMOTE (History & Geography) and Mr. JF Dousset (English)
THE CONFERENCE
The MilanMun 2011 conference took place at the Bocconi University in Milan, for 3 days from April 7th to 9th.
1st DAY
After registration, where particpants were given their conference kit and placards, our delegates were dispatched in their different committees for lobbying. During lobbying, they would have to find co-submitters for their resolutions, or merge their resolutions with another country's.
The different committees were: Security Council, ECOSOC, Disarmament, Human Rights, Environment and Political.
After lobbying, the opening ceremony was held, with speeches by the Chair, guest diplomats, a musical intermission, and the Ambassadors's speeches.
2nd DAY
2nd day was mostly committee work, during which delegates discussed, amended and voted resolutions, to be passed or failed.
In the evening, delegates could kick back and relax after a hard day's work, during the social evening, where they could meet their fellow delegates from all around the world in a more informal atmosphere.
3rd DAY
General Assembly was held on the 3rd Day, where one resolution from each committee was presented by the main submitter. The resolution was discussed and the general assembly would proceed to voting, to adopt or fail the resolution.
Then it was time for the closing ceremony, with awards to the delegates, that would end those 3 exciting days.
THE AMBASSADORS' SPEECHES
During the opening ceremony, the Ambassadors of each country had to give a 1 minute speech, in which they would present their country's expectations for the conference in relation to one of the issues on the agenda.
These are the countries our delegation represented, with the topic of the Ambassador's speech.
- DJIBOUTI (Ambassador: Tim Fleischmann), with a speech on the instability in the region of the Horn of Africa.
- GEORGIA (Ambassador: Tessy Grissius), with a speech on the question of independence in the Black Sea and Caucasian area.
- NAMIBIA (Ambassador: Henry Ernst), with a speech on water as a common good to all peoples.
- NIGERIA (Ambassador: Elisabeth Tichy), with a speech on the fight against HIV / AIDS.
- QATAR (Ambassador: Fabian Ceska), with a speech on the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
MILAN
Even though the days were packed, we took every opportunity to make the most of Milan. We were very lucky with the weather, and our hotel was located 10 minutes away from the bustling city centre, so we really got to roam the streets, see the sights, or simply enjoy la dolce vita in the fashion capital of the world.
JF Dousset and Christelle Lamote