Model United Nations Moldova 2010 Conference, organized during 16-17 April at Summit Events, concluded the simulation phase of the project. The 15 Security Council Member-States, each represented by 2 delegates, have debated the position of their country on the 2 agenda topics: Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and the security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, drafting resolutions for the problems caucused and negotiating to reach a compromise.
The Conference started with the Opening Ceremony and welcoming remarks from Iurii Datii, IREX Moldova Director, Ryan Aiken, Assistant Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy in Moldova, Claude Cahn, Human Rights Adviser, United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator in Moldova, Eugen Revenco, Director, International Law Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, Ana Chiriţa, former President of the Student Alliance in Moldova. The special guests stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation and the role of the United Nations, and underlined the opportunities that such a simulation experience may offer.
After the Opening Ceremony, the Security Council entered into formal session and continued with roll-call and agenda setting. The Member States agreed to follow the Committee’s provisional agenda and thus discussed Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation first. The Chair opened the Speakers’ list thus offering each delegation the possibility to reveal their position to the other delegations, making possible the identification of allies for the solutions proposed. Most speakers accepted points of inquiry, making use of the time set for each speaker (oscillated from 3 to 4 minutes). Even though some procedural errors were made, the participants were encouraged by the Chair to correctly make use of motions, in order to design an efficient flow of debate, both through formal and informal sessions. In this context, a majority of Member-States gave preference to either moderated or unmoderated caucus, for negotiations and debate. Delegates accorded diplomatic courtesy to their fellow Representatives and Secretariat, both in formal and informal session, though there was not a constant compliance with the use of English language at all times.
Bloc formation led to the formulation of 2 working papers. However, after each draft resolution was brought to the floor for formal debate, Member-States concluded that consensus is needed and decided to rather pass one encompassing resolution than 2 resolutions that would be similar in content. As a result, only one resolution on „Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation” was adopted, after both friendly and unfriendly amendments were introduced, the second draft resolution not obtaining the required majority to pass. A similar situation characterized the the considerationf of the 2nd Agenda topic: „Security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan”, when the 2nd draft resolution was vetoed by permanent Security Council Member-States, thus only one Resolution being adopted by the Committee.
The Judges: Andrei Ilasciuc, lecturer, State University of Moldova, Lilia Surdu, Communications Associate, United Nations in Moldova, Andrei Iovu, participant at Model United Nations and Model NATO in the U.S., observed the performance of delegations throughout working sessions and their compliance with the Evaluation Criteria. As a result, 3 delegations of the 15 present delegations, which best met the criteria specified, were designated with Outstanding Delegation Awards:
- Gabon – represented by Nicolae Vascautan and Rodica Mirza;
- Lebanon – represented by Ecaterina Vilcu and Natalia Pinzaru;
- Turkey – represented by Natalia Cataranciuc
The Conference was co-chaired by Olga Bogdan and Mihai Popsoi, with chair assistance from Tatiana Juravscaia and Alexandru Popa. It was the final phase of the Model United Nations Moldova 2010 project, which aimed to provide participants with a real forum that would enhance their understanding of the way United Nations operates, by applying the knowledge gained during the preparatory phase of the project.
Model United Nations Moldova 2010 was organized with the support of the United Nations in Moldova, IREX Moldova, and the U.S. Embassy Alumni Resource Center.
Realized by Olga Bogdan, Model United Nations Moldova 2010 Project Coordinator
IMPRESSIONS OF PARTICIPANTS:
| Dana Muntean, delegate of the United States of America: This project represents a great opportunity to understand the different aspects of global diplomacy, to be informed on the theoretical and practical aspects of the international relations, and see the solution of a problem from a different perspective than your own, taking into consideration team work. The best part of the project was the Conference, where I could apply what I learnt earlier during the project. |
| Olesea Bolocan, delegate of the Russian Federation: Model United Nations projects are very necessary, as they offer young people the opportunity to understand the inner working of an international organization, to be in the role of an ambassador, to see the importance of debating and solving world problems. It is interesting how during the Conference, delegates really started thinking and acting as the country they represented, going beyond role-playing. We usually accuse other countries of pursuing a wrong foreign policy. However, after getting involved in Model United Nations, I understood that each country follows its national interest, which has to comply of course with the principles of peace and international cooperation. As a result of the project, I have assimilated new information, have developed my research, analytical, communication and negotiation skills, as well as resolution and position paper writing. |
| Natalia Cataranciuc, delegate of Turkey : Model United Nations was the best experience I had so far, as all my expectations for the project were far reached. I was interested to find out more about the United Nations and experience the decision-making process within the Security Council, goals accomplished at the Conference. I have now understood that each initiative during formal session has to strictly comply with specific rules of procedure. One of the main challenges at the Conference was to reach a compromise between the very different interests of Member-States. That’s where we applied the diplomacy and tolerance skills formed during the preparatory phase in order to adopt common resolutions. |
| Ecaterina Vilcu, delegate of Lebanon: Model United Nations helps develop negotiation, public speaking and competitive skills. I would like to participate at similar projects on a regional and international level, as well. Natalia Pinzaru, delegate of Lebanon: The project was indisputably a huge success and its organization was at the highest level. I applied for it in order to understand the rules and procedures at the United Nations and to actually perform them. I think the most useful aspect of the Conference was related to the rules of procedure and the opportunity to debate certain issues in informal session, thus performing real negotiations and achieving a consensus at the end, mainly regarding the topic of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Participation in such a project gives the opportunity to combine productive work with socialization and fun. Certainly, in the future, I would like to apply to MUN projects and, moreover, I would like to get involved in the organization of a regional project. |
| Elena Bulubas, delegate of the United Kingdom: I found out about the project during a presentation at my university and found this idea innovative. I think this experience should be continued in the future, too, as it offers both new knowledge, through trainings and seminars, and the opportunity to apply it during the Conference. I’ve learnt new negotiation strategies, which will definitely help me in the future. One lesson learnt during the project is that countries need to give up some ambitions in order to reach a common point, which is very necessary. |
| Rodica Mirza, delegate of Gabon: Now I understand the concept of the Model United Nations, having experienced its flow and procedures. I associate this project with activism, interest, knowledge, but also stress. I think that researching the issues on the agenda (which is one of the skills I developed during the project) brings curiosity and raises awareness, and as a result, I am now more interested in all the details related to the problems discussed. |
| Maria Vizdoaga, delegate of Japan: The Model UN Conference was a success, both from the prespective of its organization, as well as taking into consideration the level of preparation of delegates. I plan for the future an internship with the United Nations and maybe even to work within the UN system, and the participation at the Conference helped me understand important details regarding the Security Council sessions and the way problems need to be addressed. I want to stress the high level of organization of the Conference and thank once again the organizers. |
