REPORT ON HISTORICAL SECURITY COUNCIL
Paraskevi Economou, Historical SeCurity Council
At 9:00 delegates, start gathering into the room of the historical security council for the workshop to begin. Each delegate represents a different country: United Kingdom, United States of America, Italy, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Russia, France, China and Afghanistan. Some of the delegates are a bit late [shame!].
What a delicious beginning! A bowl of colourful m&ms passes around the room. The chairs explain that this is our first icebreaker. To eat the candy, there is a condition: everyone has to say something about themselves. Those who get more than one piece of candy need to reveal one thing about themselves for each piece they take! Within minutes, total strangers start becoming friends. Chocolates do a good job of getting people to open up to each other!
Twenty minutes later, an informative presentation begins. The presentation focuses on the February debate. The chairs in- form the delegates about the two main questions. The first ques- tion is about the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, in 1989. The second one is about the Tiananmen Square crisis of 1989. Details about the historical background and the time period in which the debates occur are thoroughly provided. Moreover, the chairs elaborate on details in order to better pre- pare the delegates for the workshop, for example how to conduct research as well as how to write resolutions. The structure of ‘a debate’ is presented, as well as the different terminologies that could be used. For example, point of information, point of order etc. Lastly, the committee decides to form a Facebook group, so that they will be able to easily communicate with one another.
At 9:40, it is icebreakers time again. A metallic “egg” that contains questions inside is thrown across the room. The ball almost hits someone on the head twice. Thankfully, there are no victims! So far, so good! This game is, in fact, a lot of fun. Laughter fills the room. Next game is ‘Never have I ever’.
At 10:10, the mock debate is about to start to give delegates a chance to practice. The question is a very controversial issue that will surely cause many interesting discussions between the “countries”. It is about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. France submits it and the historical date is the 18th of September 2001. The delegates go on and on, arguing about their positions and providing evidence to support their views. The most talkative and involved countries are France, USA, UK, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Russia. The delegates elaborate on their arguments and tension is building up! Collaboration and difference, persistence and documentation, all views convincing, yet contrasting!
What an interesting day this is! The group agrees and disagrees but, magically, a feeling of community develops. Apparently, the icebreakers have been successful, as delegates leave the room as friends.
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