IOMUN 16 on Sunday January 14 brought together dozens of students from four continents to debate the impact and importance of the words we use on the world around us. The conference opened with a keynote speech from Ambassador Atieh, deputy head of the Palestinian Mission to the European Union, who talked about the responsibility to use constructive speech in building alliances and advancing diplomatic solutions to the many challenges around us, from daily life interactions to the most complex global issues. The ambassador congratulated the students on dedicating their time to coming together to discuss these important topics and wished them a fruitful conference, and success in their studies and careers.
Following the opening speech, the delegates split into two committees. The UNHRC committee debated the important topic of balancing free speech with limiting the harmful effects of hate speech. In the Taylor Swift crisis committee, delegates representing pop stars addressed the manifestation of hate speech in public interactions, including social media.
The delegates engaged in high-level debate and intense negotiations for nearly four hours. After several rounds of voting failed, the HRC managed to secure enough votes to pass a resolution, although there were voting irregularities involving the chairs which are still being investigated. The Taylor Swift crisis was understandably not without its own controversies, and several cases of possible hate speech were raised, but ultimately the delegates consolidated around a directive promoting unity and positivity.
Following the conference, the awards ceremony was held. Delegates were introduced to the Secretariat behind the scenes of IOMUN, and invited to apply for joining as a delegate, chair or secretariat member at future IOMUN conferences. Then the awards were read out: in the HRC Honorable Mention for China and Luxembourg, Outstanding Delegate for Belgium and Indonesia, and Best Delegate for the Netherlands, and in crisis: Harry Styles won Honorable Mention, Kanye West was Outstanding Delegate, and Kanye West won Best Delegate.Taylor SwiftFollowing the conference, the awards ceremony was held. Delegates were introduced to the Secretariat behind the scenes of IOMUN, and invited to apply for joining as a delegate, chair or secretariat member at future IOMUN conferences. Then the awards were read out: in the HRC Honorable Mention for China and Luxembourg, Outstanding Delegate for Belgium and Indonesia, and Best Delegate for the Netherlands, and in crisis: Harry Styles won Honorable Mention, Kanye West was Outstanding Delegate, and Taylor Swift won Best Delegate.
IOMUN 16’s Secretariat was led by Yaniv Becker (Chen Young Ambassadors school), Maria Cheremina and Ethan Moncarz (Walworth Barbour American International School), Nana Awadeie (Greek Catholic high school), and Angjelina Glasnović and Źiva Benedejčič (Pristina High School). The chairs included Dvir Karniel and Katya Khoury (UNHCR), and Dev Chheda (Crisis), with a crisis team composed of Christine Bonita and Sami Kammoun.
Congratulations to all of the delegates for their participation in IOMUN 16! We hope to see you at future conferences! Click here to apply for the IOMUN Secretariat Team.
Debate for Peace 