David Williams, Pastoral Coordinator
Since the last issue of The Falcon, students from Urca have
been involved in two more Model United Nations
conferences. In September, 22 students travelled to Belo
Horizonte to take part in the fifth annual Mini-ONU organized
by PUC Minas. As always, the event attracted well over a
1000 students from 54 schools around Brazil, the majority of
which were accommodated at the plush Ouro Minas 5-star
hotel. Once again, there were some excellent performances,
notably in the European Community Committee discussing
the issue of security in the Union. Six British School students
were awarded Honorable Mentions for outstanding
contributions: Oivind N. and Cesar B. representing
Hungary, Fernando R. and Edward B.
representing Cyprus, and Rita L. and Carson G.
representing the NGO Amnesty International. There were
also some very encouraging debuts, with our younger
students fully involved with the debates, particularly
Frederico I., Pedro P., Nathan C., John
G. and Lara L.. Congratulations to all concerned!
Over the long weekend at the beginning of November,
nineteen students decided to devote their holiday to taking
part in the ONU Jr event hosted by Estácio de Sá, in Barra,
This conference involved around 300 students divided into
10 committees. The event was very well organized and
directed and our students were fully involved in the debates
that took place. Once again, Carson G. and Rita
L., representing Chile in the Security Council, were
outstanding, gaining Honorable Mentions for their excellent
contributions to the discussions. The conference lasted five
days and included a football tournament for delegates.
Philippe K. was involved in a mixed team which finished
up second! Overall it was a tremendous weekend and
thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part.
Applications have opened for next year’s British School Rio
de Janeiro Model United Nations Conference 3 (BSRJMUN
3), details of which can be seen on the school website. The
school will also be hosting the LAHC student conference in
October 2005 which, for the first time, will be a Model United
Nations event.
Model United Nations provides a unique opportunity for young people to investigate the origin and background to many of the problems and issues in the world today. Students seek solutions to problems ranging from human rights and the environment to war and peace, through arduous discussion, negotiation and debate. This enables them to develop a far better understanding and appreciation of current global affairs.
As the name suggests the aim is to simulate the workings of the United Nations. Students represent different countries and their policies in a formal conference setting. Over the last three years the British School has taken part in the Inter-colegial Mini-ONU event organized by PUC Minas in Belo Horizonte involving well over 1200 students and in 2003 we hosted the very first British School of Rio de Janeiro Model United Nations (BSRJMUN). In March 2004, we had the second Conference (BSRJMUN2)
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