PAMUN/ HMCE
Harvard Model Congress Europe 2006
By Judith Cellier
The 19th session of the Harvard Model Congress Europe was declared officially ‘open’ by Miranda Dietz, President of the Executive Board, on the 31st March 2006. The SIS delegates joined others from 27 Asian, African, North American and European schools in an atmosphere of apprehensive excitement at the first plenary session.
The demands of role-playing are high, and they were ready to put into practice the ideas, strategies and arguments they had been preparing for many months.
The responsibility for sound decision-making was reinforced as they were told «This weekend, the fate of the world rests in your hands. You have the power to craft laws, negotiate treaties, and diffuse crises that impact millions around the globe ».
Ms. Dietz recommended strongly that the delegates should «stay engaged, ask hard questions of yourselves and others, and continue to analyse, challenge and shape the world around you. Have the courage to speak out for ideas and values, but also have the courage to sit back and listen and reflect».
The tone was set as the students were dispatched to their various committees:
- House of Representatives: Martin Courau, Rémi Varloot
- Senate: Maud Glasel, Diane Roujou de Boubée
- West Wing: Benjamin Husser, Sebastian Pavlou
- National Security Council: Adrian Comolet, Charles Luzzato
- World Trade Organisation: Pauline-Sophie Courau, Vincent Prunac, Donald Tournier
- Group of Eight: Marine Bourgeois, Marie Bagard
- Historical NATO 1956: Erika Lippoldt, Timothy Maubrey
- International Court of Justice: Natalia Roca, Claire Salama
- Global Conference on Women: Louise Baste Morand, Julie Hammett, Alice Miller
The three days not only met but went way beyond the high expectations of the students! The sheer professionalism of the Harvard Chairs, their organisation and their direction produced excellent results. They were able to juggle with knowledgeable lecturing and the teaching of rules of debate in a friendly and encouraging manner.
This made the work in Committees accessible and enjoyable for all concerned. Confidence was gained, skills developed and, indeed, so much was learned and experienced in a very short space of time.
The pedagogical value of the Congress was proved once again as was the need to set up a more official forum for debate in the Sections!
When the Congress ended on 2nd April, the students were drained but elated. They had all done very well, although a special mention should go to Pauline-Sophie Courau and Rémi Varloot who won awards of excellence.
Once again, it was a pleasure for Ms Plecko and myself to have « led » the SIS delegation.
Dernière modification le 13-05-09 par
