Post by Brighitta on Feb 25, 2007 5:17:43 GMT -5
Guys, I had to correct a speech for tomorrow, but lost my teacher's corrections! Could you please check it for any grammatical mistakes? Thanks a lot!!!
On the 12th of January, the American Academy delegation left for the Second Annual Mediterranean Model United Nations (or, as we also called it, MEDI.M.U.N) conference hosted by the English School in Nicosia. Although most of us were sleepy – it was, after all, only 7 o'clock in the morning – the excitement was almost palpable.
At the English School, we were welcomed by the Welcoming Committee and official photos of our delegation were taken. After than, the delegates were shown the way to the rooms where the three General Assemblies – consisting of about 60 people each – and the Security Council – made up of 15 delegates – were going to begin their sessions.
The morning began with lobbying. The delegates talked informally about their clauses and resolutions. The aim of this was to find countries to merge with, find delegates who held similar views to yours, as well those who might be against your propositions, and to figure out the arguments they would put forward during the formal debate. Although this continued in the General Assemblies for the entire day, the Security Council commenced with debate in mid-morning.
The formal opening of MEDIMUN took place before lunch. Various officials welcomed the delegates, including the late Minister of Education, Pefkios Georgiades, and spoke about the importance of the conference not only for personal development, but as a chance to make a significant difference. Our vivacious Secretary-General, Andromachi, then proclaimed the conference opened.
After a delicious lunch, the delegates returned to their GAs. The Security Council began to debate the issue of protection of civilians in long-term conflicts and by the end of the day, special committees had been set up to look after refugees, organisations had been encouraged to help those caught in war zones, and many other actions had been taken.
All of us rather tired, we went to the hotel Europa, changed, and returned to the English School for the Rock Night – or, as a few of us called it, Pizza Night. There, we listened and danced to live rock music performed by various students, ate pizza and mingled with the other people present. The delegates and the Chair-people, who looked strangely like the rest of us now that the suits, ties and 8-inch-stilletoes were gone, enjoyed the evening immensely.
The next morning, the debating began. The GAs and Security Council discussed issues ranging from the conflicts in Sudan and Haiti, women's rights in the Middle East and illegal circulation of weapons to efficient water management and the Kyoto Protocol. Resolutions were given in, debated and dissected to the sentence, then voted upon. The Security Council members put forward and debated on separate clauses, thus putting together three complete resolutions. It was an enjoyable, albeit intense and tiring day.
That evening, the American Academy delegation enjoyed a meal at a Chinese restaurant near our hotel, and took this as an opportunity to relax from the formality of the conference.
The third day came, as it seemed to all of us, much too soon. The Plenary Session, with all the delegates present, took place in the morning. There, we debated the GA resolutions that had passed the Approval Panel, and the Chairs of the Security Council spoke about the resolutions that had been passed in the Security Council, although those were not debated or voted upon in the Plenary Session. The first to pass was a resolution from the Disarmament and International Security Committee, which dealt with circulation of small weapons. It passed successfully after a short debate. The second to be discussed was a resolution on the Kyoto Protocol, from the Environmental Committee, led by our own Year 7 student Leonidas Constantinides. There was some serious opposition to this resolution, and it did not pass by a small number of votes. The third, and by far the most controversial, was a resolution from the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee; which dealt with women's rights in the Middle East. There was some very intese debate on the matter, especially between Iran (who was adamantly against the resolution) and a number of European countries. The resolution, despite Iran's attempts, passed. The two resolutions, as well those of the Security Council, will be sent to the actual United Nations in the near future.
And after the Closing Ceremony, during which the organisers and General Secretary spoke emotionally about their experiences, sleepless nights and hard work, the Second MEDIMUN conference was over. We said goodbye to our new friends and left, all a little bit sad that it had to end so soon.
Although the conference was demanding, and needed a lot of preparatory work, it was well worth it. Not only did it give the chance for the delegates to develop valuable debating and oratory skills, but it gave us all the opportunity to have fun and to meet interesting people, people who are incredibly bright, concerned and eager to make this world a little bit better. After all, even the smallest person can change the course of history, and it is on people who are willing to try to do this that our future depends on.
To end, I would like to share some of the more interesting notes that had been passed during the Security Council debate, but had not been allowed to pass onto the person they were addressed to.
FROM: United Kingdom
TO: People's Republic of China
MESSAGE: I bet the delegate of China, as well as everyone here, has no idea as to the agreement she just mentioned! But I propose we discuss it over Congolese bananas, Russian vodka, Spanish nachos, Chinese noodles and English apple pie.
FROM: United Kingdom
TO: The Chair
MESSAGE: The delegate of the UK would like to say that the delegates should be able to put forward any clause, even if it is to do with bananas.
FROM: The USA
TO: Congo
MESSAGE: Does the delegate of Congo like the Vice-President's tie with monkeys on it, and furthermore, does she like bananas?
Yes, as you can tell, the conference was a very enjoyable experience, which we would not have had without the help of Miss Maro Pambou and Mrs. Psalti. We would like to thank them for their generous help and for the advice they gave us throughout the preparation.
On the 12th of January, the American Academy delegation left for the Second Annual Mediterranean Model United Nations (or, as we also called it, MEDI.M.U.N) conference hosted by the English School in Nicosia. Although most of us were sleepy – it was, after all, only 7 o'clock in the morning – the excitement was almost palpable.
At the English School, we were welcomed by the Welcoming Committee and official photos of our delegation were taken. After than, the delegates were shown the way to the rooms where the three General Assemblies – consisting of about 60 people each – and the Security Council – made up of 15 delegates – were going to begin their sessions.
The morning began with lobbying. The delegates talked informally about their clauses and resolutions. The aim of this was to find countries to merge with, find delegates who held similar views to yours, as well those who might be against your propositions, and to figure out the arguments they would put forward during the formal debate. Although this continued in the General Assemblies for the entire day, the Security Council commenced with debate in mid-morning.
The formal opening of MEDIMUN took place before lunch. Various officials welcomed the delegates, including the late Minister of Education, Pefkios Georgiades, and spoke about the importance of the conference not only for personal development, but as a chance to make a significant difference. Our vivacious Secretary-General, Andromachi, then proclaimed the conference opened.
After a delicious lunch, the delegates returned to their GAs. The Security Council began to debate the issue of protection of civilians in long-term conflicts and by the end of the day, special committees had been set up to look after refugees, organisations had been encouraged to help those caught in war zones, and many other actions had been taken.
All of us rather tired, we went to the hotel Europa, changed, and returned to the English School for the Rock Night – or, as a few of us called it, Pizza Night. There, we listened and danced to live rock music performed by various students, ate pizza and mingled with the other people present. The delegates and the Chair-people, who looked strangely like the rest of us now that the suits, ties and 8-inch-stilletoes were gone, enjoyed the evening immensely.
The next morning, the debating began. The GAs and Security Council discussed issues ranging from the conflicts in Sudan and Haiti, women's rights in the Middle East and illegal circulation of weapons to efficient water management and the Kyoto Protocol. Resolutions were given in, debated and dissected to the sentence, then voted upon. The Security Council members put forward and debated on separate clauses, thus putting together three complete resolutions. It was an enjoyable, albeit intense and tiring day.
That evening, the American Academy delegation enjoyed a meal at a Chinese restaurant near our hotel, and took this as an opportunity to relax from the formality of the conference.
The third day came, as it seemed to all of us, much too soon. The Plenary Session, with all the delegates present, took place in the morning. There, we debated the GA resolutions that had passed the Approval Panel, and the Chairs of the Security Council spoke about the resolutions that had been passed in the Security Council, although those were not debated or voted upon in the Plenary Session. The first to pass was a resolution from the Disarmament and International Security Committee, which dealt with circulation of small weapons. It passed successfully after a short debate. The second to be discussed was a resolution on the Kyoto Protocol, from the Environmental Committee, led by our own Year 7 student Leonidas Constantinides. There was some serious opposition to this resolution, and it did not pass by a small number of votes. The third, and by far the most controversial, was a resolution from the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee; which dealt with women's rights in the Middle East. There was some very intese debate on the matter, especially between Iran (who was adamantly against the resolution) and a number of European countries. The resolution, despite Iran's attempts, passed. The two resolutions, as well those of the Security Council, will be sent to the actual United Nations in the near future.
And after the Closing Ceremony, during which the organisers and General Secretary spoke emotionally about their experiences, sleepless nights and hard work, the Second MEDIMUN conference was over. We said goodbye to our new friends and left, all a little bit sad that it had to end so soon.
Although the conference was demanding, and needed a lot of preparatory work, it was well worth it. Not only did it give the chance for the delegates to develop valuable debating and oratory skills, but it gave us all the opportunity to have fun and to meet interesting people, people who are incredibly bright, concerned and eager to make this world a little bit better. After all, even the smallest person can change the course of history, and it is on people who are willing to try to do this that our future depends on.
To end, I would like to share some of the more interesting notes that had been passed during the Security Council debate, but had not been allowed to pass onto the person they were addressed to.
FROM: United Kingdom
TO: People's Republic of China
MESSAGE: I bet the delegate of China, as well as everyone here, has no idea as to the agreement she just mentioned! But I propose we discuss it over Congolese bananas, Russian vodka, Spanish nachos, Chinese noodles and English apple pie.
FROM: United Kingdom
TO: The Chair
MESSAGE: The delegate of the UK would like to say that the delegates should be able to put forward any clause, even if it is to do with bananas.
FROM: The USA
TO: Congo
MESSAGE: Does the delegate of Congo like the Vice-President's tie with monkeys on it, and furthermore, does she like bananas?
Yes, as you can tell, the conference was a very enjoyable experience, which we would not have had without the help of Miss Maro Pambou and Mrs. Psalti. We would like to thank them for their generous help and for the advice they gave us throughout the preparation.
;D
