2022/23
Students from SZU (classes 3AHWII, 4AHWII, 5AHWII) took part in the OBERMun Model United Nations event held in Triest in April 2023. They played an important role in this event organized by a grammar school in Triest called the Liceo Scientifico Statale Guglielmo Oberdan, which brought together students from around the world to discuss a variety of important topics and issues that our global community is currently facing.
The students were all part of different committees with different focuses:
UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) with Maria Alfaro-Petric (3AHWII) representing the Russian Federation and Marlies Krettek (3AHWII) representing the delegation of Nigeria. UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) with Julia König (3AHWII) representing Italy. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) with Rebecca Linhart (3AHWII) representing the United States of America and Manuela Coban (3AHWII) representing Papua New Guinea. DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs) with Matthias Muth (4AHWII) representing the delegation of Kenya, Felix Hofer (4AHWII) representing the delegation of Germany and Sebastian Damm (4AHWII) representing the delegation of the United Republic of Tanzania. UNSC (United Nations Security Council), which was one of the most challenging committees to work on, with Vincent Englitsch (5AHWII) representing France. This simulated setting was the basis for the students to engage in lively debates and negotiations with their fellow delegates.
For many of these students, this was their first Model United Nations experience, which not only gave them the opportunity to learn more about the world, but also to improve their public speaking, diplomacy, and negotiation skills. In the six committee sessions, non-sustainable solutions to the problems addressed by the committees were found. The participants built on their self-confidence, practiced their English-speaking skills and found out about the countries they represented. During the conference there were multiple opportunities to engage in both formal and informal sessions, where the focus was getting to know other students and hearing from experts in their respective fields. Other highlights included a gala dinner and the chance to learn about each other’s cultures.
Overall, the participation of the students from SZU was a valuable experience that allowed them to broaden their horizons and engage in meaningful discussions about the world’s most pressing issues. In addition, Vincent Englitsch (5AHWII) received an Honorable Mention award for his great work in his committee and was one of the four delegates nominated for the Best Delegate Overall prize.
The students did not just return home with a newfound sense of confidence and a deeper understanding of the complex global issues we face today, but also with amazing personal growth and new friends all over Europe.
(Written by Sebastian Damm and Vincent Englitsch)
