Dossier (en)

project of participation to the 2010 GEMUN

Lycée Franco-hellénique Eugène Delacroix september-october 2009 GEMUN: Genoa International Model United Nations lfhmunproject.wordpress.com

september-october 2009

What are MUN conferences ?

MUN: Model United Nations MUN are conferences organized by schools all over the world, in which students aged 14 to 19 years- old play the role of UN diplomats for three to five days, working on issues that are similar to those being discussed at the time worldwide, and in very formal English. These conferences are conducted under the aegis of the United Nations and real officials or diplomats are often so kind as to participate.

MUN History The first MUN conference took place in the Hague, in the Netherlands. To this day, it is the largest as far as size is concerned, since more than 2500 student-delegates take part in the conference each year. The amount of participants depends on the conference, but this number generally ranks from 350 to 600 students.

Lfh-ED’s attendance The LFH ED has been sending a delegation of pupils to the German School of Athens’ MUN (DSAMUN) since 2004, a group of students took part in the conference organized by the American School of Thessaloniki (ACMUN), in February 2008, where four of our students were rewarded for their excellent work and our delegates were also awarded special mentions at the St Petersburg 2009 conference.

How do the conferences work? The host school organizes the conference welcomes delegations that often come from abroad. Every invited school is entitled to represent one to three countries, except its own, depending on the number of students set to attend. Each country is represented by four to seven students overall –among whom one is an ambassador – with one delegate in each of the following committees: Political Committee, Human Rights Committee, Environmental Committee, Disarmament Committee, Economic and Social Committee, Security Council, Special Conference. Every committee works on two to four issues, similar to those being discussed in the UN. The delegates’ work consists in representing their country in the committee they have been assigned. To do so, they have to do a certain amount of work prior to the conference: study their issue and write a draft resolution that respects their country’s viewpoint. They also need to be well-informed of the country’s standpoint on the other subjects discussed in the committee, in order to be able to take part in the debate. During the conference, the delegates lobby to get enough signatures to pass their draft resolutions, study the other projects and reach compromises. In another phase, they present their resolution publicly, vote amendments, and choose a final, common draft resolution.

project of participation to the 2010 GEMUN lfhmunproject.wordpress.com

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september-october 2009

«Organization»

Interest of MUN :

for the students : The students learn to set up a project, study a question, attempt to find solutions to complex issues in autonomy, convince, argue, negotiate, reach compromises, talk in front of a public, work in teams, stand up to competition, and make decisions. All of which in written and spoken English at a professional level, in a professional-like environment. By taking part in MUN, students gain knowledge on international issues and learn to handle them bearing the standpoint of the UN in mind. Moreover, thanks to these conferences, they meet fellow students from all over the world and begin to build a social network involving tomorrow’s occupants of decision-making positions in international forums.

for the sponsors : The companies which will agree to sponsor the project will benefit from the publicity associated with these top conferences. This is an excellent opportunity for the companies to export a positive image of France and Greece in Italy. Furthermore, the excellent results at the baccalaureat obtained by LFH pupils have turned the school into a symbol of academic achievement. A partnership with LFH is another source of publicity.

GEMUN 2010:

the Genoa Model United Nations : The 2010 GEMUN Conference will last four days, from February 24th, 2010 to February 27th, 2010. We would arrive in Genoa on February 23rd and leave on March 3rd after a few days of devoted to a cultural programme in Northern Italy (Venice, Florence, Padoua, Milan).

project of participation to the 2010 GEMUN lfhmunproject.wordpress.com

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september-october 2009

From the Lfh-ED:

What can the Lfh ED offer in exchange : The LFH has created a sponsors’ section on the MUN project webpage and on the school’s website. Moreover, the sponsors will be mentioned in the LFH newsletter. An exhibition will take place in the school’s hall, and a ceremony will be organized to thank the sponsors. Last but not least, the Parents’ Association, which represents more than 1500 pupils, will be notified. Other actions will include an article on petitjournal.com, the French community’s online newspaper, and mentions on the French Institute site and the French Embassy site.

please note : Unfortunately, given the strict dress code of the conference (suit, tie), wearing clothes or caps with the names of our sponsors printed on them will not be allowed.

Provisional budget:

Expenditure & funding : The School is only responsible for organizing transportation to Italy. The rest of the fee (housing, local transport, catering, visits, conference fees) is monitored by a travel agency associated with GEMUN. Eighteen students take part in the trip, as well as two teachers. We estimate the price at 1,300€ per person, all included, which adds up to a total of 26000€ .We subtract from this sum the 350€1 student contribution. Therefore approximately 19,700€ should be allocated through sponsorships.

1 After decision of the School Board, direct contributions of the families should not exceed 350€, in order to make trips available to as many students as possible.

project of participation to the 2010 GEMUN lfhmunproject.wordpress.com

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