TEIMUN 2002 Conference,
July 4th - 10th,
The Hague, The Netherlands.
| Per Grant # SUP30002GR 116 from the Public Affairs Section of US Embassy in Ukraine
Grantee: Olga Zhurzhenko Purpose of grant: to cover expenses, assosiated with the grantee's participation in TEIMUN 2002 Conference, held July 4th - 10th, in The Hague, The Netherlands. |
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TEIMUN 2002 Conference, |
Brief Narrative Report of Accomplishments The European International Model United Nations - TEIMUN 2002 - was for me a great nine-days conference full of new knowledge and experiences.The first day was for the registration and the first event of the conference - Forum discussion on the topic of death penalty. Particularly, we discussed one point, which was, whether or not the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is to be installed in the Hague, should be able to give death punishment to the criminals, which the court convicts. At the very beginning we were given some useful tips on debating and public speaking, then Mr. B. Stapert, a well-known dutch layer, added some fuel to our burning thirst for discussion with a very informative and in some points enlightning introduction on the subject of death penalty. This was followed by the free discussion, during which the floor was open for everyone who wanted to express an opinion on the subject. Then we all were split in 8 groups, and each one took a stand on the topic. After that the representatives of each group gathered at the round table to voice each group's opinion. We finished unfortunately with no decision reached, because the opinions were equally split in two parts: for and against death penalty. This forum, especially being the first event of the conference, impressed me deeply. I new a lot about the death penalty problem before, but I couldn't imagine how many peoples are affected and how many families really suffer. I was astonished to open so many new sides to the problem and so many new thoughts about it. I know for sure that from now on after this discussion the question whether to let people be sentenced to death will never let me stay calm or silent, if it is touched. I know for sure that in one of the forum discussions I want to organize here in Odessa the topic will be: "Death Penalty". The next day was devoted to the preparation for the conference: the rules of procedures were explained and each committee was given preparation talks. Generally, four organs were simulated this year at TEIMUN, among them three main UN bodies, such as General Assembly, Security Council and International Court of Justice (ICJ). The fouth organ was unique first-time simulation of the European Union Council of Ministers. I personally was lucky to play a role of the Jean Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the last one, the European Coucil. During praparation talks in our committee, we were given two extremely useful lectures on the two topics we were to discuss during the conference. First lecture, given by B.R.A. van den Bos, was on the topic of "Immigration policies and Xenophobia in the EU" and the second one, given by Dr. W.F. van Eekelen, was on "The European Security and Defence Policy" (ESDP). In the evening of the second day, the Formal Opening of TEIMUN 2002 ceremony took place in the City Hall of the Hague. Several renowned speakers gave their view on the theme of the opening: "The UN, an intercultural challenge". Among six very interesting speakers, one was particularly interesting to me. It was Mrs. Lucia Rodrigues, one of the founders of TEIMUN. Later, talking to her during the reception, I found out that she is the Director Education and Model U.N. in the UNA-USA. We talked about organizing college-level MUN activities here in Odessa and in Ukraine. She encouraged me and gave me some useful hints. I have already contacted her by e-mail and we both hope for useful cooperation. All the rest of the conference was almost exclusively devoted to committee sessions. During the third, fourth and fifth days The European Council of Ministers, I which I was honored to participate, discussed its first topic, concerning the immigration policies and xenophobia in the EU. Sixth, seventh and eighth days we spent with the topic of European Security and Defence Policy. We first had very thorough and exhaustive discussions on each topic, to which I personally contributed quite a bit, representing the position of Luxembourg. Besides contributing, I benefited enormously from these debates. I got familiarized with the rules of procedure and general political positions of the European countries. I got the view of unifying Europe and saw the place taken by WEU and other Eastern European countries in the EU life and thinking. Being on the first topic, I noticed the psychological side of politics, which I used later, debating the second topic. But I think most importantly, I saw that large-scaled global problems have concrete local solutions; that there are working machanisms to settle any misunderstandings. I think, now it's much easier for me to help resolve global issues by my own personal activity. Now, I know the process of decision-making and therefore I can influence it. One of the most valuable features of my committee was that the decisions had to be taken by unanimity. That's why we all had to work hard to build consensus out of all the different views we had. Each one of the 15 member-states had to say "yes" to every point we discussed and put into resolutions. It was quite a hard task, because each one had to learn to give up something for the sake of a common result. Six days of reaching consensuses on various topics was rewarding, both from political side and from life experience too. "TEIMUN's simulation exercise will help channel paerticipants' awareness by initiating them into the techniques of multilateral negotiation and diplomacy. Knowing how to resolve conflicts is, after all, the stuff of life as well as of politics", Romano Prodi, the President of the European Commission, supports my point in his welcome-letter to the TEIMUN 2002 participants. I have to say our hard work was successful. The European Union Council of Ministers issued three draft communiques, one concerning immigration policies and xenophobia and two on ESDP. (International terrorism was viewed as a separate issue within the ESDP framework in the wake of September, 11 tragedy.) I also have to mention that on the fifth day of the conference my column was printed in TEIMUN Daily, the daily newspaper of the conference. There, I talk about my experience of the conference, and invite everyone to visit my wonderful city and beautiful country. Concluding, I have to say that participation in this conference not only gave me enormous amounts of knowledge and contacts with great people, it also encouraged me tremendously to persist in my MUN activity in Odessa and in Ukraine. I want to share my experience and deliver a thought, that Model UN, as well as the work of UN itself, is the bottomless source of knowledge, life-experience, influence and courage to take leadership responsibility and change the world to be a better place. As for now, MUN spirit will start spreading itself quite soon, I have an agreement with IATP center in Odessa to have three informational meetings about MUN for ECA Alumni and guests on the 14th, 21st and 28th of August. I also hope to get know-how and print-material support from the UNA-USA. |
text by Olga Zhurzhenko.
Feedback is welcomed: zh_olga@yahoo.com
Last updated: August, 03, 2002.
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