Monday, February 7, 2011

Having a snowball of a time at HarvardMUN.....



















Harvard Model United Nations Conference is held annually at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston for 3000 High School Students, organised and entirely run by Harvard students who are studying International Relations. Each school is assigned a country to represent, and students spend months preparing for the committee debates on their two topics of global urgency, and writing their position papers. The idea at the conference is to try to negotiate a resolution with the greatest consensus as a way forward in solving world problems. Debates are run in strict accordance with United Nations Parliamentary procedure.....


















This year I took 16 students to Boston from my school here in Mexico City, and we represented the country of Singapore in all the committee debates, even managing to win two of the prestigious individual awards. As well as working very hard, we also had a lot of fun sightseeing and playing in the snow (some of our students had never experienced snow before!!)




















At the end of the 4 day conference,it seemed a shame to have to leave and return home, and even the city of Boston seemed reluctant to let us depart......














The fervent pleas were everywhere we turned just begging us to stay longer.....










Until reality finally kicked in of course - delivered by Rey - one of the students who won an individual award at the conference....



For any educators who don't know about Model United Nations, this is a wonderful learning experience for students, as the magnetic context of drama role-play simulation as delegates, motivates them no end to research, debate, present, justify, write and negotiate - all skills vital in the modern world. For more windows on the world this week check out My World Tuesday posts by clicking here. In my next post, I will return to writing about Mexico - but only up until July, as in August, I am moving to the South of France to take up a position at the International School of Monaco... it will be tough to leave Mexico after 6 years, but change is in the air.....

8 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous post as always, Catherine! I did love seeing the kids enjoying their first snow! And what a terrific program all of you to be involved in! I do look forward to seeing more! How terrific that you'll be going to France next year! Glad we'll be able to continue following your adventures! Have a great week!

Sylvia

Jim said...

That's a lot of snow.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

PeterParis said...

Sounds like a very good initiative and must have been a marvellous experience for you and your team!

Despite your regrets to leave Mexico, I suppose that I should congratulate you to your new job ... with a hope to see you around! :-)

Fly Girl said...

What an exciting post! Your students had a once in a life-time experience on every level, especially with the snow! Monaco! I can't wait to hear your adventures.

Kristin said...

What an exciting scholastic journey. They looked like they had a great time. Very talented students you have there. Have a nice day.

Michelle said...

Hi Catherine,

I found your details on your blog, I hope you might be able to help me with my strange request!

I am a Producer working on a television show called House Hunters International which follows English speaking expats in their quest to purchase a house abroad. I am hoping to find English speaking expats to profile who are living in Mexico. I wonder if you or any of your expat contacts might be interested in getting involved?! I would love to find out more about your story! Please find a little blurb about the show below:

House Hunters International is a half-hour program currently airing on the Home and Garden Television Network (HGTV) in America.
The series is designed to de-mystify the international home-buying process by going behind the scenes of a house hunt where buyers and their real estate agents tour 3 homes.

At its core, House Hunters International is a travel show concentrating on the idiosyncrasies of the locales and what makes them special and different.

Please get in touch if you have any more questions about the show. I look forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes and many thanks,

Michelle

Michelle James
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER LEOPARD FILMS
1-3 St Peter's Street, London N1 8JD - +44 20 7704 3300
michelle.james@leopardfilms.com
www.leopardfilms.com

A Cuban In London said...

What a fantastic experience! Even the snow looked less hazardous. And you're relocating to the south of France? Lucky you! :-)

Greetings from London.

Catherine said...

thanks for all the great comments this week...much appreciated...