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Helen Terekhova
Bratislava Model United Nations & the Rules of True Diplomacy [1] - 22.01.2025
Model United Nations held in November, 5th-7th in Bratislava was the 10th International Conference organized by Gymnázium Jura Hronca under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. The conference, like any model UN, proved to be the embodiment of diversity – and not only that of views.At first the Conference was to take place in the National Council of the Slovak Republic. But at the time for the Opening Ceremony to start the Parliamentary Session was in full swing! …And the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs was the first to host the MUN 2010.
In the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs © bordersoff
This year the Model UN had the honour to welcome Mr. Mikuláš Dzurinda, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic; Ms. Sonja Wintersberger, Deputy to the Director of UNIS-Vienna; H.E. Theodore Sedgwick, ambassador of the USA; H.E. Michael Roberts, ambassador of the United Kingdom; representatives of Gymnázium Jura Hronca in Bratislava, Mrs. Eva Žitná, Head of the International School at Gymnázium Jura Hronca and Mrs. Zuzana Munková, Headmistress of Gymnázium Jura Hronca, Bratislava.
The Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Photo: Andrej Krajči © bordersoff
The distinguished Spokesmen and Excellencies, resplendent names and top-notch venues, the immersion into the world of diplomacy and devout wishes for the MUN participants – who could want more? But this was only the beginning marked by the words of the Ambassador of the UK, encouraging the MUN delegates to follow the three eternal rules of a diplomat at heart: "Think Globally. Be Realistic. Be Passionate”.
"Think Globally!”
Date: November, 5th. The First Day.
Venue: The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, the Slovak Parliament Halls.
After the opening ceremony the delegates were invited to the Slovak Parliament for the first Committee Sessions. The Committees represented were the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the European Union, World Health Organization, Refugee Agency, Summit on Climate Change and the Human Rights Committee. With the beginning of the session after the States’ positions were voiced it was high time to start Thinking Globally.
Actually, what one does when participating in the Model is becomes the representative of the country, perhaps even totally unfamiliar and incomprehensible concerning its foreign policy, from the first sight. No notions of yours are accepted – only the Sate policy is to be expressed. Thinking globally is like trading on the remote islands of Indonesia; perceiving the Swedish northern values or being the newly-elected Columbian leader – conducting that very policy, collating the geopolitical views and thriving to make it best for the particular country.
During the Committee Sessions. Photo: Petra Uhlarova © bordersoff
"Be Realistic!”
Date: November, 6th. The Second Day.
Venue: The Slovak Parliament Halls, the Slovak Parliament General Assembly Hall.
Apart from thinking globally, one should not have his head in the clouds. "Think globally, act locally” concept is especially essential concerning the worldwide issues.
On the second MUN conference day the delegates voted on the final Resolutions in the Committees to move to the General Assembly and discuss the topic of Somalia. That was the moment to be realistic and suggest apt solutions regarding not only the present situation but its development and progress (or rather regress). Does Somalia need more financial and humanitarian aid? Rather "no”, than "yes”! Somalia needs corruption-free government and reforms. The delegation of the UK stated Somalia’s districts needed to get united and the mission of the UN would be to control it. The delegation of the USA wanted Somalia to get democracy with the free elections held and supervised! The delegation of Iran was arduous to introduce its own draft Resolution…but the Member States were not so willing to discuss it…
The General Assembly turned out to be the ground for intense debate, diversity of policies and experiences showing how interconnected yet separate at the very same time the Sates are. Peculiar to say, this picture can literally be seen from the building of the National Council: a perfect view over the river Danube, surrounding countries Austria and Hungary gives the impression of interconnection and division all together.
The General Assembly. Photo: Petra Uhlarova © bordersoff
"Be Passionate!”
Date: November, 7th. The Third Day.
Venue: The Slovak Parliament General Assembly Hall, the Old Building of National Parliament
How does leadership emerge? How do the Human Rights defenders act? How are the State policies forged? Thanks to the motivation of thousands of individuals, numerous sacrifices and extreme passion in words and actions. Being passionate at the MUN means promulgating your ideas, being ready to do anything – and even compromise, no matter how trite it sounds – the things especially exemplary to make a Resolution out of a draft, of a simple Working paper. And the General Assembly at BratMUN 2010 reached this goal.
At the Closing ceremony held in the old Building of National Parliament the Secretary-General and the MUN organizers awarded the individual delegates and delegations and expressed thanks to faculty advisors.
The BratMUN team had a deeply gratifying experience – although after a month of sleepless nights and challenges of last-minute switching the venues. Moreover, each of them, and each delegate has made a new step towards the brighter prospects. Under Secretary-General at the Model today may become a Secretary General of the UN someday; as well as a MUN delegate can be a real ambassador in the future. Just remember the three eternal mottos!
Society |14.11.2010 | Views: 1391
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