MUN Russia
In late March, AISL sent a delegation of eight students to St. Petersburg, Russia to participate in the 10th Anniversary of SPIMUN- St. Petersburg International Model United Nations. SPIMUN is the Hague International Model UN-affiliated conference based on THIMUN rules of procedure. Specifically designed for high school students, this 4-day conference is a simulation of the work of the United Nations. Marking its 10th anniversary, SPIMUN welcomed over 700 delegates and teachers from Belarus, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Germany, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Syria, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Zambia. |
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| Among these 700 delegates, many regularly participate
at SPIMUN and at other Model UN venues across the globe. Although
they were a seasoned and formidable group to face, AISL arrived
fully prepared and ready to stand with the best. Having sent
a large contingent to the regional MUN in Lusaka last November,
AISL selected its staunchest MUN veterans for Russia. Our students
were designated to assume the roles of two African countries
and to represent them at the conference. Representing Cameroon: Tariq Omarshah, Francesca Casilli, Pieter Bednar, and Leon Poupoutsis. Delegates for Angola: Hana Passen, Sakarias Eriksson, Nina Krantz, and Roderick Hawes-Ospina. |
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| Many weeks of preparation followed as students
feverishly researched their country’s history, demographics,
economic and political positions. Armed with copious research,
our students then prepared policy statements responding to actual
UN issues. In St. Petersburg they would have to debate their
resolutions, lobby for support, and forge alliances with like-minded
nations. It was a truly hands-on learning experience! After 4 days of intense debate, negotiation, concessions and drama, our AISL students, and 700 others, had evolved into skillful negotiators- knowledgeable about the UN, its protocol, the issues it confronts and the human factors embedded in solving global problems. |
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Throughout the time of the conference, and especially after, students were treated to an array of the splendors that make St. Petersburg a magnificent city. For three exuberant days the history, architecture, palaces and museums of what was once Leningrad enthralled our delegates. A visit to Pushkin, an evening at the Ballet, Russian folk dancing, and the Hermitage, all embroidered vivid and enduring memories of a remarkable visit to St. Petersburg, Russia. |
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Page updated 15 August, 2008