Young Pinoys learn diplomacy at Model United Nations
02/03/2011
THE NETHERLANDS - Eighteen students from the International School of Manila, majority of them Filipinos, joined this year’s The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) in Netherlands.
The annual gathering of high school students from all over the world is being organized by the The Hague International Model United Nations Foundation to instill in the young minds of the students the core values of the United Nations Organization.
Unique in its concept, the students were assigned to represent another country to be able to develop a more global approach to solving economic and social problems.
The Filipino delegation represented Albania this year. In the five-day conference, students are tasked to discuss, pass resolutions, negotiate, debate and understand deeper various global issues like human rights violations, youth and refugees, environmental problems, economic development, war and peace, among others.
This year has been extra special for the Filipino delegation because they have the most number of students from non-Dutch school selected for chairmanship and officer positions.
Among the delegates are Michelle Ferreol, Economic and Social Council Deputy President, Ayesha Dayaram International Court of Justice President, Kimberly Rodriguez, Advisory Panel President, Anthony Gokianluy who became MUNITY Newspaper Editor, and Leandro Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda, who chaired the controversial Human Rights Commission.
“We really need to listen to representatives from different countries about what they can say on the issues that are great importance to the youth. In that, you get to realize how much energy the young people have nowadays, how committed they are on making a difference especially in this commission, we have in human rights. It was inspiring to find out how opinionated young people can be on issues of great importance,” said Leviste of his experience.
Influenced by her mother to be concerned, especially with issues of human rights, Leviste said that one of the most widespread human rights violations happening in every part of the world has to do with children.
“I think what really stands was the rights of children both in post-disaster areas in terms of child labor even sometimes child soldiers. In the Philippines where we have such a large population, I think that’s what the youth can take great interest in and hopefully we can have some advances in the welfare of children there.
Their welfare is always ignored so it would be great if we can have more attention paid to the most vulnerable members of our society,” he added.
Meanwhile for Blanca Villanueva, being in the environment commission made her appreciate more the biodiversity and natural resources of the Philippines as well as learn about other problems the world is facing.
“There was a wide range of topic we can talk about and all of them were definitely interesting. We were a large delegation so we have topics ranging from environment, disarmament and human rights. It was a very good experience especially the debates,” said Villanueva.
Aside from serious daily discussions, the students were also encouraged to interact and make friends with fellow participants.
“It’s great to see everyone, all the countries and different issues that we are debating today. This is one of the best experiences in my life” said Daniel Viray.
Other delegates include Isabel Agudo, Shloka Sharan, Alonzo Virata, Daniel Tan, Patrick Younes, Mahek Tulsiani, Chris Ong, Akshar Bonu, Myung-in Sohn, Mariella Salazar, Esther Park and Gaea Morales.
According to Leviste, they are trying to promote Model United Nations in the Philippines by organizing conferences for different schools in the country with the help of private organizations like the Rotary Club of Makati. Currently Model United Nations conferences are being held only in The Hague and Singapore.
Unique in its concept, the students were assigned to represent another country to be able to develop a more global approach to solving economic and social problems.
The Filipino delegation represented Albania this year. In the five-day conference, students are tasked to discuss, pass resolutions, negotiate, debate and understand deeper various global issues like human rights violations, youth and refugees, environmental problems, economic development, war and peace, among others.
This year has been extra special for the Filipino delegation because they have the most number of students from non-Dutch school selected for chairmanship and officer positions.
Among the delegates are Michelle Ferreol, Economic and Social Council Deputy President, Ayesha Dayaram International Court of Justice President, Kimberly Rodriguez, Advisory Panel President, Anthony Gokianluy who became MUNITY Newspaper Editor, and Leandro Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda, who chaired the controversial Human Rights Commission.
“We really need to listen to representatives from different countries about what they can say on the issues that are great importance to the youth. In that, you get to realize how much energy the young people have nowadays, how committed they are on making a difference especially in this commission, we have in human rights. It was inspiring to find out how opinionated young people can be on issues of great importance,” said Leviste of his experience.
Influenced by her mother to be concerned, especially with issues of human rights, Leviste said that one of the most widespread human rights violations happening in every part of the world has to do with children.
“I think what really stands was the rights of children both in post-disaster areas in terms of child labor even sometimes child soldiers. In the Philippines where we have such a large population, I think that’s what the youth can take great interest in and hopefully we can have some advances in the welfare of children there.
Their welfare is always ignored so it would be great if we can have more attention paid to the most vulnerable members of our society,” he added.
Meanwhile for Blanca Villanueva, being in the environment commission made her appreciate more the biodiversity and natural resources of the Philippines as well as learn about other problems the world is facing.
“There was a wide range of topic we can talk about and all of them were definitely interesting. We were a large delegation so we have topics ranging from environment, disarmament and human rights. It was a very good experience especially the debates,” said Villanueva.
Aside from serious daily discussions, the students were also encouraged to interact and make friends with fellow participants.
“It’s great to see everyone, all the countries and different issues that we are debating today. This is one of the best experiences in my life” said Daniel Viray.
Other delegates include Isabel Agudo, Shloka Sharan, Alonzo Virata, Daniel Tan, Patrick Younes, Mahek Tulsiani, Chris Ong, Akshar Bonu, Myung-in Sohn, Mariella Salazar, Esther Park and Gaea Morales.
According to Leviste, they are trying to promote Model United Nations in the Philippines by organizing conferences for different schools in the country with the help of private organizations like the Rotary Club of Makati. Currently Model United Nations conferences are being held only in The Hague and Singapore.
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