MUN

The International School of Monaco’s Model United Nations conference took place at the new ISM premises, in Larvotto on the 13 and 14^th of March, with some committees outsourced to the Meridien Hotel Sea Club.  Twenty-two pupils from the 3ème International Section of Collège Charles III attended the conference along with pupils from the International School of Monaco, Fenelon, Lyon, Mougins, Aseica and Lycée Albert I^er.

The subject of the conference was Sustainable Development Goal 3 “Good Health and Well-being”.  The topics ranged from “Financing Universal Healthcare in Developing Countries” (Ecosoc) to “Climate Change and its Impact on Global Health” (Environment).

Mr Bryan, the Headmaster of ISM, opened the ceremony stating that MUN was a fantastic experience that should leave a positive impact on the future of those present.  He stated that he hoped each delegate would leave with a greater ability to negotiate and compromise having gained new insights and debating skills. He ended by quoting Hippocrates “Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity”.

The guest speaker, Mr Nuvian, who has in the past represented Monaco at the United Nations, spoke of the 1918 Treaty between France and Monaco and the question of sovereignty.  Regarding Monaco’s role in the United Nations, he stated that Prince Albert II has always upheld the values of sustainability and that today the United Nations faces enormous challenges due to the era of new imperialism.  He then went on to say how important the role of Monaco was as a small nation state encompassing 140 different nationalities, hence a mini–United Nations.  He quoted Adam Smith who stated that “a truly happy society has material wealth but also freedom and close social relationships”.   M. Nuvian also stated that Monaco can be viewed as a small but successful community, independent, well balanced and well structured. Then addressing the delegates present he said that their strength was their diversity.  He called upon the young delegates to be “strong adults, confident, respect yourselves and find your own path, be curious, you have everything in your hands for the future”.

The conference was then declared open and the delegates divided into their five assigned committees: Security Council, Environment, Ecosoc, Human Rights and the WHO; to debate the given topics and reach a final draft of a resolution to be debated in the General Assembly at the closing ceremony. During the closing ceremony two resolutions were debated, one by the Security Council: “The question of Health Security in Conflict Zones”; the other the WHO “Combatting Global Health Misinformation.” Both resolutions were passed by a large majority.

The conference ended with awards.  Carolina Abboud (3.2), the delegate of Belgium on the Human Rights Committee, won an award for Best Resolution and the delegates of this committee were also praised for their critical analysis skills.  Raphael Dramcourt-Carter (3.2), the delegate of the United Kingdom on the Security Council received a special mention for excellent participation.  All the pupils – Hugo, Giacomo, Adam, Elisa, Anna Giulia, Julie, Victoria, Marcello (3.2), Ilona, Alisa (3.3), Christopher, Mikail (3.4), Ilya, Lalindao, Omar, Tomas, Daniel (3.5) Louis, Nandine, Mathilde (3.6) - received a Certificate of Excellent Participation and were a credit to Collège Charles III.

The delegates agreed that the experience was of great benefit in terms of debating skills, public speaking and global geo-political knowledge. In the pupils’ own words, it was “a unique and amazing experience”.

MUN

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