B.+BerMUN+2009

Our Article that appeared in the [|Cyprus Mail]-

"AIS Cyprus Delegates Show Strong in Berlin

The American International School in Cyprus recently sent a strong delegation of Model United Nation students to the annual BerMUN conference in Berlin. The conference proved highly successful as students spent three long days engaged in international diplomacy.

Model United Nations, or MUN, is an academic simulation of the actual United Nations. The goal of MUN is to indoctrinate students in the functions of the international organization by teaching them about current events, civics, and diplomacy. MUN also allows students to develop academic skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and by teaching them to be strong public speakers.

Students spent long hours in preparation for BerMUN. Assigned as delegates from Thailand and Iran, students diligently investigated their counties in terms of economic, environmental, and political policies. They also acclimated themselves to the formalities of MUN. Delegates are required to follow strict guidelines regarding UN procedures, vernacular, and attire.

Organized and hosted by the J.F. School, Berlin Model United Nations is in its eighteenth year inception. With over seven hundred delegates from thirty-three countries, the conference is one of the largest in Europe. This year, delegates came as far as Benin, Afghanistan, China, and California. Extremely well run, BerMUN’s facilities and guest speakers are what make this one of the premier events in the MUN calendar. Students were graced with speeches and lectures from the Mr. Greg Delawie the US Deputy Chief of Mission, himself a former MUN delegate, and Prof. Dr. Peter Eigen, a former World Bank Manager and founder of the Founder of Transparency International.

Both students and directors were proud of the delegates’ performance. The delegates worked hard in presenting their resolutions and were very successful in collaborating with their new diplomatic colleagues. International diplomacy was not merely a simulation as the AIS students were able to make new friends with students spanning the globe. AIS Ambassador of Thailand, Amber Phtohopoulos, commented on her BerMUN experience, “It was truly unique meeting so many different students whilst gaining a better understanding of how the UN works.”