📍 Lisbon, Portugal
🕰 November 11th - 12th, 2022
🧁 = When I start talking about the picture exhibited above and my resolution
Background Information
Last November I had the opportunity to attend my first in-person MUN conference after having been acquainted with this wonderful activity solely via Zoom during the entirety of my freshman year of high school. The conference I had the privilege to attend is the Iberian Model United Nations conference (IMUN), which is affiliated with The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN), hosted by the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL).
Prior to pursuing MUN, I had a pronounced fear of public speaking, one that overstepped its boundaries. The best manner in which I can describe it is that my mind would go blank, my heart would accelerate uncontrollably, my hands would tremble, my voice would shake and I'd just freeze, tears welling up in my eyes and all.
My lovely mother was the one who encouraged me to sign up for this activity to fight this fear of mine.
Although the first few conferences I attended online terrified me, and I didn't notice a significant shift in my confidence when presenting my speeches (because the symptoms aforementioned still occurred to a reduced extent). Attending my first in-person MUN conference altered my perception completely.
I was very nervous and overwhelmed knowing that I would be in a room containing 200 delegates, and that every time I would like to entertain a speech and answer points of information, I would have to approach the podium and stand at the stage surrounded by a sea of delegates.
It was a miracle that I was able to come, considering that a month prior I had been in the hospital, being subject to an emergency surgery, and still in recovery. I also worked very hard to be selected by my school to be eligible to participate in this conference, and I hoped that I wouldn't have to give up my spot and complicate my school's departure arrangements. Luckily, my sweet parents were able to come with me to Lisbon and keep an eye on me in case I experienced any post-surgery complications.
The first day of the conference was dedicated to lobbying, and I had the opportunity to meet and work alongside some wonderful delegates who shared the same values and morals as my delegation. It was such a pleasure working with them because not only did we agree on what our resolution should contain, but I genuinely felt comfortable and heard by them, a bond that is not easy to form or encounter.
🧁 My Resolution
The picture inserted at the top of this article showcases an achievement that I am immensely proud, elated, and ecstatic about.
I represented the delegation of the Holy See 🇻🇦 and I was the main submitter of a resolution that passed in the Special Conference! To be more exact, it was the 1st resolution that passed in my committee, and the chairs dedicated a whole day to debating it.
My resolution pursued the topic of "Measures to accommodate refugees and internally displaced persons", a weighty issue, that is significant now more than ever to address and support those facing hardship. My lovely co-submitters supported me when advocating and encouraging member nations and organizations to present that this resolution is in the best interest of all, seeing that an empathetic society is significant in achieving global unity. With an overwhelming majority, my resolution passed!
Despite the delegate of the Russian Federation's efforts at convincing the house to vote against it, my resolution will facilitate the humane integration of millions of refugees of all ages and backgrounds.
This goes to show that no matter how small the nation you represent is, anyone can become the main submitter of a resolution that will make a positive difference in our world. Regardless of how nervous you are, you are capable of accomplishing remarkable things.
Since my school only attends purely educational conferences (meaning that there are no awards or prizes given out), my 1st in-person MUN conference was memorable because I was the only delegate from my school who was the main submitter of a resolution that passed. I am so grateful for this experience and wish more students could witness events as impressive and hypnotizing as this one.
Accommodating Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons - Why This Matters
The 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention defined the term “refugee” along with the rights of refugees; hence these rights need to be protected and supported.
7 in 10 of all refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and other people in need of international protection come from just five countries: the Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and South Sudan.
It is significant to acknowledge the massively influential role that the Russian-Ukrainian War has had on the development of a mass diaspora of Eastern European refugees, particularly noting that 7.6-14 million Ukrainians and Eastern European people have fled and are currently displaced.
Between 2018 and 2021, an average of between 350,000 and 400,000 children were born into a refugee life per year, showing that adolescent-related and familial support is extremely needed among all refugee camps.
I note with satisfaction that 162,300 refugees returned to their countries of origin during the first six months of 2022 while 42,300 were resettled, knowing that this number can exponentially increase with further implementation and support, (which my resolution advocates for in various manners)
74 percent of the world’s refugees are hosted by low-income and middle-income countries, and support is needed and should be offered to these countries to aid in conflict management and refugee support systems.
It is quintessential to keep in mind the United Nation’s fundamental right of “freedom from fear, seeking asylum, life, and liberty”, a cornerstone of the conversation surrounding refugee accommodation.
The UNHCR’s report that by the end of 2021 stated that there were 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide “as a result of persecution, conflict, and violence, human rights violations”.
The relocation of refugees and their well-being is an expensive project that requires the host country to have room to house refugees and accommodate them, and this project should be supported by the other member states in the United Nations, (thus why we were debating this issue from the perspectives of members states of the United Nations)
Having An Article Written About Me By The Conference's Press Team
The third and last day of the conference was very busy, seeing as our committee had to debate 3 resolutions before the closing ceremony. To specify, the second and third days of the conference were dedicated to debating, and since my resolution was debated the entire second day of the conference, we had to debate the remaining 3 resolutions on the last day of the conference.
One of the resolutions followed the theme of "Freedom Of Religion and Bodily Autonomy". The delegate of Poland (one of my co-submitters and now good friend), submitted an amendment regarding the reduction of abortion procedures. As the delegate of the Holy See, I made a speech in support of this amendment even though I knew that I would receive a lot of mixed reactions and confrontations about. As a delegate, I must stay true to my delegation's values, opinions, and statements that have been made known to the world. As nerve-wracking as it was giving a controversial speech on a highly sensitive and personal topic, I knew that it would be wrong of me to not pursue and represent the delegation of the Holy See and Pope Francis authentically.
Little did I know that one of the journalists for the conference's press team would be present during the discussion of the amendment aforementioned and my speech.
Here is the link to the article written about me promoting the amendment that is in line with the Holy See's values and those of Christianity: https://www.iberianmun.org/about-imun/2022-conference/2022blog/posts/~board/imun-blog-2022/post/shocking-spc-abortion-amendment
Visiting Lisbon
This was the very first time that I had ever stepped foot in Portugal, let alone seen the picturesque sights of Lisbon.
The few places I was able to visit in Portugal took my breath away in the literal sense. The ocean landscape in tandem with the poised conference buildings exerted a sense of serenity.
To be frank, I am very jealous of my peers who had the opportunity to visit the well-praised sights of Lisbon and Cascais. I, unfortunately, was not present during their tour of the fascinating scenery because I was attending a chair workshop hosted by the conference.
I hope that I will have the contingency to witness the gorgeous sights I got a glimpse of via my classmates' Instagram stories in actuality.
Until then, here is a picture I found of Lisbon's center that will allow me to fantasize about the sights I will spectate next November at the 29th annual IMUN conference:
If you are inquisitive to see more of my MUN journey, I have an article that will be about my 2023 THIMUN in-person conference experience! The publishing date for this article is April 7th, so make sure to stay tuned for that if you are curious!
I really hope you enjoyed this article, and if you did I would love to see what feedback you have for me! I have so many ideas for Wholesome and am so happy to share that I have lots of articles ready to be published that cover a plethora of topics!
In terms of scheduling, my articles are planned to be published every Friday. If any changes or exceptions occur in terms of the plan aforementioned, I will make sure to notify you on my blog's Instagram account: @wholesomeblog.ro . For those of you who follow Wholesome's Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest accounts, you will also have access to sneak peeks for upcoming articles.
I'm so thankful that you are joining me on this exciting journey and look forward to seeing what's next in store.
Sending virtual hugs and lots of happiness your way! 🧸 🌻 🤪
Congratulations for all the things that you have accomplished so far. I can’t wait to follow more of your journey.