27 Febbraio 2022

GeMUN 2022

The 19th edition of GeMUN 2022 took place from February 23rd to 26th in Palazzo Ducale.

Two years ago we participated in the 17th edition of the Genoa Model United Nations only a week before the first nationwide lockdown started in Italy due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year GeMUN took place online - a unique experience because everyone was sitting in their rooms at home during the conferences and communicated via videoconference with the other participants. 

This year we were back at Palazzo Ducale and got to meet our fellow delegates, chairs, security and staff members and everyone else in person under the motto “Minding the Gap”. 

We were so pleased that besides the Genovese schools Liceo Linguistico Grazia Deledda, Deledda International School, Pertini and Deutsche Schule Genua, also schools from Torino and Milano participated. A particular highlight was to meet students from Espergaerde Gymnasium (Denmark) as well as St. Joseph Seminar and High School from Nazareth (Israel). Overall, about 450 students from ten different schools met in six different committees to debate on topics such as gender equality, human trafficking, the impact of intensive crops and animal farming, the impact of industrial pollution on pandemic transmission as well as the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine in conflict areas. The International Court of Justice had to decide on a very current issue: “Application of the International Convention for the Supression of the Financing of Terrorism and of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Formas of Racial Disrimination” (Ukraine v. Russian Federation).

This year’s Team GeMUN DSG worked very hard to prepare for the conference. Especially our youngest delegates Vittoria A., Vittoria B., Ginevra, Bianca, Margherita, Mariasole, Clarissa, Elisa, Giorgio and Pietro (year 9) were enthusiastic to meet their fellow delegates, to share their opinions and to learn as much as possible. They were joined by Lukas and Ginevra (year 10) as well as Irene and Francesca P. (year 11), who were delegates in GeMUN’s newest committee UN Women. Cecilia fought for civil rights in the Security Council and Alberto had to make a decision in the case between Ukraine and Russia as a judge in ICJ and received an honorable mention (both year 12). As officers Zoe and Fabiola (year 10) headed the Economic and Social Council and Under Secretary General Carlotta (year 12) was highly engaged in organizing the whole event as part of the Secretariat.

It was lovely meeting everyone in person, to make new friends, to discuss important issues, to dress formally, to spend time and to laugh together about messages from the gossip box. We hope to see you all again next year, for the 20th edition of the Genoa Model United Nations!