DSA-MUN 2011 at the Deutsche Schule Athen
From the perspective of new participants
MUN is a model of the United Nations for youth groups through which common and political awareness should be raised in new and promising generations in order to build a better and safer world.
This year the DEO delegations consisted of Russia and Italy, two representatives of the World Trade Organization, one judge in the International Court of Justice and two members of the action paper. Some of us had never participated in MUN, whilst the others already had experienced MUN the previous year. Even before MUN began, its effects already had influence on us as we started cooperating with the senior students to prepare ourselves for the three day meeting in Greece. Due to the general strike in Athens we could not go on our cultural trip to the Acropolis, but nevertheless we made good use of the one and a half days prior to the conference. We prepared ourselves further and got to know the city despite the ongoing strikes and demonstrations in the city. The most positive aspects before and during MUN were the numerous acquaintances we made there engaging with other students from diverse countries and cultures. Then came the day when we all put on our formal suits or dresses and headed for the first day of three very informative days.
For the last two years the UN has been a major topic at the DEO for us students of the 11th and 12th grade as we have learned to respect its values and importance in keeping world peace, even though in certain events a very clear polarization of powers can be seen. Nevertheless we managed to keep our differences apart at MUN and worked together to build strong resolutions with as many countries as possible. One of the biggest factors we all had to deal with was to learn to compromise certain interests in order to get more and powerful countries to join the alliance, yet keeping the necessary interests of the countries we represented in focus. We acquired our knowledge about our countries (Italy and Russia), the World Trade Organization, the International Court of Justice and the topic of the action paper foremost through the internet but also with meetings with representatives at the respective embassies here in Cairo.
At MUN everybody had to be coherent or they did not get any submitters to their resolutions so teamwork played a major role as we, Italy and Russia, were strong countries and not only had to satisfy the requirements of other powers such as the US, China, UK or France, but also had to consider the needs of other, smaller countries. Many tactics were made by various factions to overcome other groups or their attacks. All the same, after the debates there was a very relaxed climate and we made many friends, who later on helped us as allies in the debates as long as both our interests were being fulfilled, of course.
Altogether MUN was mostly a political experience and enriched us with a stunning variety of influences and information, which from our perspective, still helps us today while interpreting various dilemmas in our daily life.
Summed up it was an extremely positive experience and it helped many of us not only in politics, but also in achieving new levels of tolerance and understanding, without which peace would never exist.
Most of all we want to thank our teachers, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Wiegele, for organizing this trip every year and making so much effort for the sake of future generations.
Omar El Husseini, 11b
(Da die Konferenzsprache Englisch ist, wurde auch der Artikel auf Englisch verfasst)
