The second MUN was held on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd of February in The Sultan’s School. According to the countless intellectual students we interviewed, the few hours they spent in this event did not deny them from the great cultural exchange. It was an opportunity for these students to experience how a real United Nations conference would be run and how the resolutions are presented and later drafted. The technical assistants also contributed greatly to making the messaging system efficient and effective, and making the guests feel as comfortable and welcome as possible.

On these days, The Sultan Schools auditorium was transformed into a United Nations chamber, and one would stare in admiration at the extraordinary result. Meanwhile, the School Gallery was converted to an informal Model United chamber, filled with sofas and comfortable chairs in which delegates were granted the opportunity to come together, socialize and discuss their resolutions as well as their personal opinions. It was a great chance to create friendships that would hopefully last for a lifetime. Laptop computers were provided to allow delegates and participants to word process paperwork and documents, as well as access the internet on which they could research and retrieve any required information they desired, and this all contributed greatly to their formal discussions, which were then held in the auditorium. We no longer felt we were in our beloved school; for those two days we truly were taken to a real United Nations atmosphere, thanks to these transformations which were supported by the great staff: workers, electricians, teachers and students.

First there was the opening ceremony, in which all those involved were given the honor of taking part in a United Nations tradition which requires us to stand and bow our heads for a minute of silence, dedicated in memory of all those suffering in the world, and all those who were able to find an end to their suffering by the aid of the United Nations. Following this, delegates were divided into two groups: the Commission for the Environment, and the Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC). They were both given turns to discuss, debate and converse about their resolutions, and were then allowed to communicate with other delegates through the internet in order to form alliances. This was because in order for a resolution to be accepted, it must carry a minimum of two co-sponsors. Hence, the informal chamber allowed countries to merge and support each other and discuss each other’s resolutions, with the objective of finding as many co-sponsors to their resolution as possible, which will then give them the ability to propose it to the chairman, with the hope that it would be selected. Immediately after the opening ceremony the ECOSOC delegates were led to the informal chamber in which they carried out all necessary discussions and negotiations, also through the internet. When at the same time, in the formal chamber, formal discussions were held between the Commission for the Environment delegates. Here, they were required to make brief opening statements about their resolutions, in hope that they will attract co-sponsors, in addition to the chairman’s support. After the conclusion of these two events, the opposite happened, in which ECOSOC commenced in the formal chamber, and the Environment in the informal chamber.

The second day of the conference, the selected resolutions which had already formed alliances where all supported the cause of their chosen resolution (on the first day) were debated and discussed. The draft resolutions presented under the Commission for the Environment dealt for e.g. with issues related to the disasters affecting the environment and the effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol (rules that demand the reduction of the use of harmful products as to prevent global warming). Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and its alliances submitted a resolution concerning the “summit regarding harmful use of nuclear material in weapons of mass destruction and careless disposal of nuclear waste”. Greece and its alliances submitted a resolution concerning “the pollution of world waters by offshore chemicals, creating harmful pollutants which are causing great damage to marine life and its resources” and many other very interesting concerns were presented, but sadly only one was accepted, the resolution submitted by Argentina which was co-sponsored by Egypt, Venezuela, South Africa, China, Canada, Tunisia, The Netherlands and Brazil. In summary, their resolution was concerning the reduction of greenhouse gases and minimizing climate change. They asked for extra support from countries in which they demanded further procedures to be taken in order to reduce emissions from greenhouse gases other than just the Kyoto protocol. A few examples of these procedures are that nations should find alternatives to automobile for transportation; also these nations should charge high taxes for industries that emit harmful substances. Their resolution opened the door to a very interesting and heavy argument. This was the only Environment resolution accepted. Egypt, which was a co-sponsor of this resolution, spoke to us with all confidence clearly showing their support in which they said, “Climatic change is very important to the planet since gas emissions have been said to be a factor of storms and such natural disasters, which all conclude in the spread of diseases.” All in all, the resolution was successful and passed with 27 approvals and 18 disapprovals, although there were 11 abstentions. This was all rounded off in a roof lifting applause!

The Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC), was well appreciated by the fact that three resolutions in relation to it were selected to be analyzed, dialogued and discussed on Thursday the 23rd of February. The resolution was submitted by the State of Kuwait, Egypt, Venezuela, France and the United States of Mexico, and their co-sponsors were: Pakistan, North Korea, Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Africa, Zimbabwe, The Netherlands, Sierra Leone, United Kingdom, Iran, Rwanda, Namibia, Myanmar and India. It consisted of strategies to aid poverty eradication, debt relief and assist developing countries. As is obviously shown, by the many co-sponsors it held, it was a very popular resolution, and this was also shown in the informal chamber discussions in which we came across many delegates who spoke very highly of it. Our theory of its popularity was then fully backed and proven after it passed, in consequence to the voting procedures. Indonesia and India both submitted resolutions, and were approved to speak of their resolution. Indonesia’s resolution was connected to the eradication of extreme poverty in less developed countries, to improve the standard of living of citizens. It was unfortunately the only resolution which was denied and rejected by the voters, i.e. delegates: 26 voted No to the resolution, as 21 voted Yes, whilst 8 abstained. However India’s resolution was in relation to establishing better cooperation between UN offices, member states, NGOs and medical and scientific institutions in response to natural disasters, all in reaction to the most recent and past years devastating disasters, an example of which would be the tragedy of the tsunami. Their resolution passed with 6 more ‘Yes’s than ‘No’s, and 20 abstentions.

All resolutions were debated immensely, sparking up the auditorium and revealing the assertive side of some delegates, but undoubtedly in a positive way, and that only heightened the curiosity and enthusiasm. It was a superb day, in which we were all served a hearty lunch which, to our surprise, was followed by heavy rain which drew smiles on the faces of the visitors. As the fun was coming to an end, the whole auditorium was raging with anticipation as they waited for the after-barbeque. Unfortunately, due to the weather it was cancelled and disappointment replaced the joy. Regardless of that, the Model United Nations event was a magnificent event and it was a complete success, which was made clear by the facial expressions on all the participants. It was an experience that brought together people of different nationalities, religions, lifestyles and beliefs.

The Model United Nations ended with its usual tradition and that was taking a minute of silence. After exchanging emails, contact details, hugs, and long, heart-felt goodbyes, the Model United Nations was concluded with huge gestures of appreciation for all those that allowed it to take place, especially the teachers who helped, Ms. Joy Bowker and Ms Carol Williams, and the teacher who has been the organizer of the whole event, and an inspiration to us all, Mr. Tom Vignoles.