VičMUN 2024
Between the 27th and the 29th of September, our school hosted a student organised Model United Nations conference, called VičMUN.
MUN is an educational simulation of a United Nations conference, through which students learn about diplomacy and international relations, as well as improve their public speaking, debating, researching, team working, and English language skills.
The Opening Ceremony was conducted in the Ljubljana City Hall. VičMUN 2024 Secretary-General, Katarina Adam, welcomed all delegates and announced the speeches by our principal, Ms. Alenka Krapež, and the mentor for the VičMUN project, Ms. Nina Kremžar. We also had the honour of listening to the speech of our esteemed guest, the President of the Supreme Court of Slovenia, Dr. Miodrag Đorđević. Delegates were then offered the opportunity to ask Dr. Đorđević any questions about his work and career, which, among other things, includes work with the United Nations.
The conference was attended by more than fifty delegates from seven schools from across Slovenia (Gimnazija Vič, II. Gimnazija Maribor, Gimnazija Bežigrad, Gimnazija Jožeta Plečnika, Gimnazija Kranj, Gimnazija Šentvid, and Gimnazija Jurija Vege Idrija).
These delegates debated in four committees. The Human Rights Council with the topic of the human rights situation in the USA and the human rights crisis in Sudan was chaired by Gimnazija Vič alumni Anja Pavšič and Miha Dragojevič. The Security Council with the topic of the situation in Myanmar and the problem of piracy was chaired by Arja Ela Hvala and Lana Savanović who are also former students of our school. The Economic and Social Council with the topic of the long-term consequences of the Yugoslav wars was chaired by our students Maks Leon Rogelj and Katja Dobrišek. Lastly, the Historical Council with the topic of The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 was chaired by our students Katarina Adam and Žiga Kovačič.
Our students were highly successful at this conference. Živa Mihelič Radolović won the Best Delegate award in ECOSOC while Polona Perman and Jan Stergar won the Honourable Mention award in HRC and HC respectively.
An event like this would not be possible without many people working behind the scenes. We would like to thank all those who worked on the administrative and manual tasks which allowed the conference to run smoothly. This includes Ms. Eva Jelen who organised the incredible catering for all delegates and staff and other members of the school team who helped with the organisation which was coordinated by a core group of students under the mentorship of Ms. Nina Kremžar.
Katarina Adam
Photo credits: Tara Valentina Kezele, Sara Reinhardt, Eva Skeledžija, and Uma Hatić