Archives 2009-10
2009 PAMUN
Par Cindy Plecko
- from left to right :
Harold Cretaigne, Cameron Charlet, Wilfried Devaux Cindric, Damien Salama, Caroline Cottet, Adrien Williatte, Manon Rose, Lua Koenig, Laura Richardson, Lucie Joncourt, Maxime Ozoux, Margaux Coradini, Thais Beaufils, Natacha Bastiat, Sacha Morawski
This December, a delegation of 15 students from the classe de treminale took part in Paris Model United Nations (PAMUN). The conference took place in the UNESCO building in the 7th arrondisement of Paris and involved 800 students from all over the world. Our delegates represented various countries and sat in committees such as the Environmental Committee, Human Rights Committee, Disarmament Committee and ECOSOC. Each student prepared by doing extensive research on 2 given topics. Once in committee, students worked together to create resolutions. Here are some of the things our students had to say :
I was in the ECOSOC committee, dealing with economic and social problems worldwide, and more specifically with the regulation of financial institutions and transferring technology to developing countries to achieve sustainable development. My experience in such a small committee - there being only about 40 of us - made the experience all the more enriching ; we were encouraged to actively participate in the debates. The best feeling was the emergency case we were presented with : we had to draft a resolution to the problem in only an hour, proposing clauses and discussing them. The urgency made us feel like we really had an important responsibility, and pushed us to put ourselves in the shoes of those who propose solutions to these type of problems daily. For someone who has never been interested in politics, this experience has really opened new doors !
Lua Koenig
This year, I was part of the special conference, as a representative of Bangladesh. Our aim was to discuss the Kyoto protocol to prepare the conference in Copenhagen. It was a very big committee, and there was a very friendly mood, everybody feeling involved. I made a lot of very interesting friends there, with whom I still keep in touch. More than making friends, this is very helpful for general knowledge, of countries for example. I’ve been part of MUN for two years (last year in Harleem) and these years are great memories for me !
Natacha Bastiat
The Paris Model United Nations was certainly an extremely rewarding experience. We spent three days debating in the beautiful building of the UNESCO in the center of Paris, sitting in the seats of real delegates. I represented Romania in the Human Rights Committee, and we discussed issues such as Internet security and Worker’s rights in LEDC’s. I had the chance to take the assembly and speak against an argument. Speaking in front of over 50 people is very intimidating, but it brings a great rush of adrenaline. The context of the PAMUN allows you to meet students from international school and speak to very bright people that are very motivated by the art of debate. If I had the chance to participate in debating in university, I wouldn’t hesitate !
Manon Rose
Participating in the Environmental Committee was a delightful, enriching experience, as the topics discussed (namely, biofuels and oceanic dead zones) were certainly relevant to the drastically important environmental debate that the world is having right now. Much was gained from listening to the differing views and opinions expressed during MUN, which took place in a friendly, casual atmosphere that encouraged participants (coming from all parts of the globe) to speak in front of the room, and also to each other, in the inspiring setting that is UNESCO’s Parisian headquarters.
Adrien Williatte
I was the delegate of Bangladesh in the disarmament committee. We discussed the issues of the military/industrial complex and the renegotiation of the Non Proliferation Treaty. It was amazing to discover how the diplomats of the United Nations treat world issues and how all sides of a problem are taken into account before making any decision and how everyone has their word to say. It was a really amazing experience ; my only regret is turning 18, which means I won’t be able to do it again except if I ever work at the UN.
Wilfried Devaux Cindric
In the Disarmament Committee, I represented the Bahamas in the discussion of the renegotiation of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and the MIC (the Military-Industrial Complex. It was a unique experience ; spending three days with over 800 international students was quite overwhelming. The debates that we had were, at first, more serious than expected with complex resolutions to lobby for. However, it became very enjoyable as soon as we began to know each other a little better. In the end, it was very enriching and I strongly encourage anyone who has not yet done so to participate in future MUNs.
Caroline Cottet
The Human Rights Committee in the PAMUN was, I believe, the most lively, captivating and interesting committee. The PAMUN is a good experience to discuss politics whilst having fun, being involved and learning how leaders deal with global issues. The PAMUN is not serious and dull as some may think because there still are opportunities for laughing even during meetings. I recall some one-man shows and other funny people I met.
Maxime Ozoux.
As a representative of Bangladesh in the Human Rights Committee I found that even the poorest countries had the opportunity to improve their situation by lobbying other UN member nations. I wonder, however, to what extent a developing nation’s position as voiced before an existent supra-national institution can lead to concrete action. Nevertheless, my experience at the PARIS Model UN has given me a better idea of what international relations is about : debates, problem-solving and most importantly inter-cultural exchanges.
Laura Richardson
Dernière modification le 11-04-10 par
