THIMUN Reports - January 2012

Thirty Burroughs students have joined 3300 students from 94 countries at the 44th session of The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN). In this English-speaking conference simulating the work of the United Nations, Burroughs represents the country of Spain and the non-governmental organization of the World Bank. In addition, one student serves as a registrar for the International Court of Justice, one student serves on an advisory panel addressing the question of the Mediterranean Sea and five students work with 27 other students from around the globe to produce the daily conference newspaper, MUNITY. This year's conference theme is Ocean and Seas.

As time permits, Andrew Newman (fine arts, school photographer and one of three faculty sponsors for THIMUN) shares notes from the trip as well as photos that he and Maggie Bliss have taken.

Day 1
Tail winds carried us across the Atlantic, putting us into Schiphol airport a half hour early. We arrived to a dark, cold, rainy, windswept city of Amsterdam on Saturday, but the weather did not lower our spirits as we enjoyed a full day of touring. We visited a windmill, walked the flower market, took a canal cruise, visited the Hermitage Museum and the Anne Frank house and enjoyed several Saturday outdoor markets (thankfully the sun came out a bit by mid afternoon). We enjoyed eight different dishes during our traditional Rijsttafel dinner. We then checked into the hotel by 8:00 pm so everyone would have a chance to get a good night's sleep.

Day 2
Wake up at 7:15am? OMG that's early! But indeed the group rose to a wonderful Sunday breakfast in the hotel and was out the door by 9:00 am. We didn't make it far out the door though, as the winds off the North Sea were brutal and for every step forward we were pushed two steps back. But we did manage to complete our walking tour of Scheveningen and were happy to get onto the #22 bus that carried us to the World Conference center. Several students had official meetings today, others had the chance to visit three celebrated museums in the Den Haag, the M.C. Escher Museum, the Mauritshuis and the contemporary Gemeentemuseum.

Day 3
"Extra, extra, read all about it. Get your copy of MUNITY," rang from the front entrance hall of the World Forum Conference Center as the press team proudly sold their pre-conference issue this morning. Thirty-two hundred delegates streamed into their forums to begin lobbying, the process of garnering support for their resolution, merging key clauses and deciding who will be the main submitter in the days ahead. The opening ceremony at 15:00 brought keynote speaker, Dr. Sylvia Earle, to the podium.  It was only fitting that this world renowned oceanographer should address the delegates for a conference whose theme is ocean and seas. Senior Elizabeth Soffer, who serves as the ambassador for our delegation representing Spain, was honored to walk into the opening ceremony with the real ambassador from Spain in The Hague.

Day 4
Opening speeches were given this morning in most forums. Most noteworthy was the speech given by our Ambassador Elizabeth Soffer, who took the main podium in the General Assembly and spoke to more than 1,000 delegates. While Elizabeth was sharing her one-minute speech on the importance of Spain in the deliberations this week, many of our other delegates were busy getting their resolutions through the Approval Panel. This is the last and biggest step in the process of getting a resolution to the floor in a forum. Nick Guo and Amanda Robiolio were the first this afternoon to have their resolution presented. As first yield, Nick had the first opportunity to state why their resolution should be passed by ECOSOC. After close to two hours of debate, their resolution did not pass, but as Nick said in our evening wrap-up meeting, it was a good experience!

Day 5
The middle of the week brings a half day at the THIMUN conference and a half day for groups to travel together to see the Netherlands. After a successful morning session with many of our delegates speaking for their resolutions, the group  traveled to Delft to enjoy the home of Vermeer, blue glazed pottery and a pizza dinner together.

Day 6
Written by Ambassador of Spain, Elizabeth Soffer: The day started off cold and rainy (surprise), but at least for birthday boy Jacob Waterman the sun came out during his morning session when the entire General Assembly 4 broke out in a happy birthday song. MUNITY released its fourth paper modeled after the Australian in Sydney. Delegates got involved in debate, some more than others. Spain and the World Bank each had their ups and downs with regard to their resolutions, but overall it was a productive day. We were free to make our own dinner plans, meeting up with friends we met at the conference or simply each other. An evening group meeting at 9:00 pm was followed by bowling night, which proved to be fun, but sad if you looked at the actual numbers posted on the monitors (Balfour posted the high score of 102).

Day 7
Twas the last day of the conference, when all through the World Forum,
Not a delegate was stirring, cause they were all so darn tired….

The resolutions were all merged in the forums with care,
In hopes that speaking time would soon be there.

Our students were debating all proper in their forums,
While visions of parliamentary procedure danced in their heads.

And Bang & Lorencz in their suits and I in a new tie,
Had just made the rounds and were ready for a power nap.

When up on the stage there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the press room to see what was the matter.

Away to the GA plenary I flew like a flash, tore open the doors and
Quickly looked for Ambassador Soffer who had on a sash.

The spotlights on the surface of the delegates placards
Gave the luster of mid-day to nations below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But the placard of Spain and eight operative clauses you could hear.

With a brilliant young speaker, so articulate and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be that Soffer chick.

More rapid than an alliteration her viewpoints they came,
and she whistled and shouted and called them by name!

“Now, Denmark! Now, UNIFAM! Now, Mexico and France!
On, Cuba! On, Costa Rica! On, Norway and World Bank!

To the top of the world! To empower all women!
Equal rights! Equal rights! Equal rights for all!

As dry sand that before the North Sea wind blows,
When they meet with a wave, crashing from high tide.

So up to the podium the Ambassador she flew,
With a resolution on strengthening crime prevention
And criminal justice responses to violence against women, too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard near the stage,
The raising of each placard, a call to vote for all of age.

Blah blah, yada yada I can’t keep this going. I’m going to skip to the end…..

She spoke many words and went straight to work,
And passed her resolution for Spain in Plenary which is so huge.

And laying a finger aside of her nose,
And giving a nod, back to the hotel to pack she goes.

So soon we’ll spring for the airplane, to our THIMUN team give a whistle,
And away we’ll all fly like the big metal Boeing that it is.

But I heard THIMUN exclaim, ‘ere we flew out of sight,
“Thank you John Burroughs team, one and all, and to all a safe journey home!”