NZ Delegation to THIMUN 09

It is hard to believe that since we said goodbye to family and friends in NZ 19 days ago, we have visited 6 countries, stayed in 3 hotels, visited 2 United Nations offices, had receptions at 3 New Zealand Embassies, met one international judge, attempted to converse in five different languages, taken thousands of photos and made lifelong friends.

The end of the Conference provided some last minute success with Rosie Wall having her resolution passed, while the resolution Hannah Brown helped prepare was the only resolution to be passed by the GA Plenary. Vicky also did particularly well; her resolution only narrowly failed. Kitaj, Jamie and I are so impressed with the efforts and success of the delegates at the THIMUN Conference. With so many students involved, it is particularly hard to even get the chance to speak, let alone pass amendments and resolutions as so many of our delegates did. As such, our team can be really proud in what they achieved. Following the THIMUN dance and some last minute stuffing of suitcases, we embarked on our long journey home.

On behalf of the staff, thank you so much, parents, for allowing us to spend a fantastic 19 days with your exceptional young men and women. They really did us, UNYANZ, and NZ proud and were the most easy-going and fun travelling companions a director could ever ask for.

THIMUN Reunion Number 1 is already in the planning stages!

Signing off from this blog,

Hannah

Since Day One, the delegates have been busy at THIMUN, both in their committees and in the social arena!

On the second day of the Conference, Leela Rai, our Head of Delegation, gave her opening speech at the First Plenary Session of the General Assembly. This was a huge task, and Leela delivered a sophisticated speech with confidence and style. Hannah Brown and Jenn Donnelly also gave opening speeches in their Committees which were particularly well-received.

On the whole, our delegates have found the conference rewarding, yet frustrating at times. While enjoying the scale of the conference and the issues debated, a common theme in their reports to us is that the level and quality of debate at THIMUN is not so good as that at our National Model United Nations. In addition, the sheer number of participants involved means getting to speak is a fraught task.

However, it is also promising to realise that UNYANZ runs a fantastic Model UN in New Zealand, which is entirely unsurpassed by THIMUN, despite it being an international conference. It is also reassuring for the delegates to realise that they are amongst the very top performers at the conference, all repeatedly standing out in their respective committees.

2009 has been a very successful conference for the NZ delegation. So far, Karl has been successful in having a resolution passed, while we await the outcome of Vicky's and Rosie's resolutions tomorrow with interest. Hannah, Brierley, and Rupert have also been particularly successful, each having amendments passed. This is by no means an easy feat, with many of the other participants being continually pushy to get on speaking lists, especially as many are from American schools and are graded on their performance.

Yesterday afternoon, we were lucky enough to have a guided tour of the International Court of Justice, followed by a personal talk from Sir Kenneth Keith. Sir Kenneth is the first New Zealander to sit on the ICJ, a great honour for him but also for New Zealand. We were able to sit in the Red Room, just opposite the Chamber, and hear Sir Kenneth's thoughts on a variety of really interesting international law topics.

This was followed by a reception at the New Zealand Embassy, where the delegates were able to meet not only the Embassy staff, but also New Zealanders working for the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. This was an incredible opportunity for the delegates to learn how to network with some exceptionally highly qualified and interesting people.

Tonight, as we draw to the end of this exceptional journey, we will have our final delegation dinner in the city centre. Our final day of THIMUN is tomorrow, followed by an early departure for Munich and then Tokyo on Saturday.

We will update once more along the way.

To end, some comments from delegates of the conference this far:

"I haven't had difficulty speaking. I have spoken on numerous occasions and have asked many points of information. I have even passed an amendment and am particularly proud of my speech this morning". - Rupert Morris

"THIMUN has been a great experience. The Hague is a very alive and cool city to be in. However, I have gained a greater appreciation for the high quality of food and debate at NZMUN. Proposing a resolution tomorrow is very exciting" - Rosie Wall

"I am yet to make a speech, but have immensely enjoyed the opportunity to ask delegates questions which they can't answer! THIMUN has taught me about the bureaucracy involved in the UN and diplomacy in general". - Fraser Seifert

Perhaps Simon Gyenge's great words of wisdom summarise the feelings of the NZ delegates best! ...
"I think that pretty much NZMUN is awesome. Food is better. Debate is better. Format is better. However, we are in The Hague so it is very cool. Plus the people are awesome. It sucks not getting selected to speak but it is funny shutting people down".

Hannah, Jamie, Kitaj

This is just a brief entry to inform everyone that the New Zealand Schools Delegation has now arrived at The Hague International Model United Nations!

After an early start in Geneva, we flew into Amsterdam yesterday to the best European weather we have had so far. After a bus ride to The Hague, we completed registration for the Conference, and the delegates spent the afternoon preparing opening speeches and reading over research. They were all rather surprised to be bombarded with eager lobbyists bearing signs and resolutions as soon as we sat down, but have already found themselves to be particularly well-prepared for the conference.

In the evening, the delegates were picked up by their host families, who all have sons and daughters studying at the British School in The Netherlands. The staff met with all the host parents before the delegates left, and all of us found them to be absolutely lovely and welcoming. All reports are very positive and the delegates are looking forward to getting to know their host families better over the next 5 days.

Day One of the Conference is essentially a day of initial meetings and informal lobbying. Delegates are spending the day attempting to get their names on speaking lists and putting forward their resolutions for debate. The official opening ceremony will be held this afternoon. It also happens to be Australia Day, so we aim to meet with the Australian Delegation this evening!

We will update in the next few days with photos from the conference and the progress of our delegates.

Until then,

Hannah, Kitaj, Jamie

We have spent the last two days on a whirlwind tour of Geneva. The highlights of Day One were a guided tour of the United Nations Office of Geneva and a reception at the New Zealand Consulate-General. The delegates were in awe of the amazing scale and historical significance of the Palais de Nations, and were all inspired to continue to engage in politics and international affairs. The diplomats at the New Zealand Embassy talked to us about their varied work, including international human rights, liasing with humanitarian organisations, and the World Trade Organisation. We all envied their jobs and enjoyed their brownies!

Today, we woke to snow settling around us, providing a stunning backdrop to another varied day. This morning, we visited the International Red Cross Museum, an informative yet sobering experience for all. We were also lucky enough to view a temporary exhibition of photography documenting various walls between divided nations, including North and South Korea. This afternoon, we wandered the streets of the Old Town, with some content to window shop, and others indulging in Swiss chocolate!

Geneva has been a fantastic two days for our delegation. Although it is the priciest city we have visited, the delegates have really felt they are at the heart of so many integral international organisations and have vowed to return some day!

Tomorrow, we will be on our way to the airport at 4am, so an early night for all tonight. Further updates and photos will follow from Geneva, along with details of host families.

Au revoir from Switzerland!

Hannah, Kitaj, Jamie

Bonjour from Paris!

Since we last spoke, we have spent three fabulous days in Paris. After being met by Kitaj at the airport, we spent an afternoon wandering the beautiful backstreets of Montmartre and exploring Sacre Couer. In a display of unbridled passion for the area, Fraser Seifert indulged in sitting for a self-portrait. Others managed to keep themselves more frugally amused by playing on the merry-go-round as seen as Amelie. Moving from Amelie to Moulin Rouge, we spent the evening in Pigalle, packing out a Japanese restaurant.

Wednesday was a full day, taking in all the major Paris sites. We began at the Pompidou Centre, before embarking on a "Greatest Hits" tour of the Louvre led by expert art historian Kitaj. Following crepes and cafe au lait in a typical French creperie, we headed to the New Zealand Embassy for our first European formal reception. While the delegates appreciated the insights of practising diplomats, our hosts were particularly impressed by the delegates' sophisticated questions and comments on international relations.

After our visit, we spent dusk exploring the Arc de Triomphe. From both the ground and the terrace, the delegates enjoyed some of the best views in Paris. To complete an amazing day of sightseeing, we ascended the Eiffel Tower to the very top and enjoyed breathtaking views on an exceptionally crisp and clear evening.

Today, the delegation was able to enjoy more fine art at the Musee d'Orsay, followed by a brief stop at Paris' exclusive department store Galeries Lafayettes. To wrap up our Parisian experience, we ventured to the spiritual heart of Paris, Notre Dame de Paris. Despite light drizzle, delegates remained keen to sample the incredible ice-creams at Berthillon Parlour.

Tomorrow, Geneva....

Until then,

Hannah, Jamie, Kitaj