This weekend, ASV is hosting the 13th Annual Valencia Model United Nations (VALMUN). Eight international schools, including ASV, and over 300 student-delegates participate in this academic simulation of the United Nations.
The opening ceremony took place on Friday evening and as is the tradition, featured a keynote speaker, Ms. Eva Fernández, a Capacity Building Specialist at the UN Global Service Center. Mr. Michael L. Smith, ASV Director, and Noa S., Grade 12 Student and VALMUN Secretary General, shared their opening remarks.
Eva Fernández is a UN officer with many years of experience providing technical support to UN missions who in recent years has worked on the implementation of e-learning solutions in developing countries. In her speech to VALMUN Delegates, Ms. Fernández acknowledged issues dividing our world, but was convinced about the UN as “the only global platform we have to tackle global challenges.”
Mr. Smith reminded the student-delegates of the value of VALMUN with “the opportunity to create new styles of world leaders who are focused on positively-oriented and inclusive solutions”. And finally, Secretary General Noa S. reminded delegates the power they possess: “use your spark, combined with others, to make VALMUN memorable and model an alternative world.”
Today, VALMUN committees are debating two topics in morning and afternoon sessions and, on Sunday, there will be the Crisis Debate –a special format which encourages negotiation and problem-solving skills- and the Closing Ceremony.
