The Hague

Volume 5 - Issue 2 - 2004

Page 19

THE HAGUE INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS (THIMUN)

- Lizzie Landels

The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) is one of the most significant gatherings of young people globally and is the largest model United Nations conference in the world. Each year it attracts around 4000 students from more than 90 different countries. Delegates are required to represent a member nation and within their assigned committee (based on the various arms of the UN) prepare and gain support for resolutions, lobby and negotiate with other member nations and finally debate and vote on resolutions. Resolutions that pass at the final session are presented to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan.

Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan.

Each year UNYA selects 17 young people, between the ages of 15 to 18 years old, from across Australia to attend the conference. Three senior member of UNYA, all under the age of 24, attend the conference as chaperones. Prior to the week-long THIMUN conference the Australian delegation participate in a 13 day tour, designed for the delegation to get to know each other, build team dynamics, discuss country policy and ofcourse experience Europe! Delegates also have the chance to meet Australian Ambassadors to the UN in both Geneva and The Hague and have the unique opportunity to ask questions about the ambassador’s role and Australia’s role in the UN and receive first hand information and answers.

Opening of the THIMUN Conference at the hague.

In 2002 I attended THIMUN as a delegate and in January 2005 will have the opportunity to return to THIMUN as a chaperone for the delegation. In 2002 the Australian delegation represented Sweden. As Sweden is a neutral member in the UN, we as delegates were able to put a substantial amount of our own points of view into our resolutions. We addressed issues such as Rights of the Child (particularly in relation to the use of Child Soldiers), the need for debt-relief in developing nations and a call for action on issues relating to HIV/AIDS. For most delegates, including myself, THIMUN is not only a great learning experience but also a life-changing experience. The diversity of people, cultures, ideas and even languages is amazing but what is most inspiring is seeing these young people, regardless of their differences, come together to try and achieve a common good. I feel that a fellow 2002 delegate, Sidharth Vemuri from the Northern Territory, summarised the experience perfectly when he wrote in the Multicultural Council of the NT Newsletter “ I have learnt so much from this experience. I have learnt how patience is a virtue, especially trying to convince those just as stubborn as you, and how tolerance is essential for the world to continue to develop. But most importantly I have learnt that diversity, should be celebrated and it is this diversity that makes us such interesting people.”