Over One Thousand Students Participate in Conferencia Internacional de las Américas 2015

Thirty-eight schools were involved in the largest model United Nations meeting, organized annually in the Dominican Republic. The UNA-DR, an initiative of Funglode, organized the meeting, which ended on Sunday October 25th.

(Santo Domingo, October 22, 2015) – The Dominican Association of the United Nations (UNA-DR), an initiative of the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode) and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD),
opened on Thursday October 22nd with the parade of flags of the heads of Delegation and Delegate Judges, simulating the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the Conferencia Internacional de las Américas (CILA 2015).

More than one thousand students met in an atmosphere of diplomacy and cooperation at the Model United Nations to seek solutions to the challenges facing the international community.

The Las Américas lounge of the Crowne Plaza Hotel –
the venue of the meeting – hosted the ceremony, led by Marco Herrera, Executive Director of Funglode; Emil Chireno, Executive Director of UNA-DR; César Dargam, Deputy Foreign Minister (MIREX); Catherine Florentino, Coordinator of Educational Activities at Funglode; Juan Pablo de la Cruz, of Editorial Santillana; and Jhomairy Peralta, Secretary General of CILA 2015.

Ms. Peralta began the formal event with a speech encouraging young people to seek quality participation. She
recalled her own participation in previous model UNA-DR meetings and the personal satisfaction of reaching the post of Secretary General, with the growth and development this implies.

“Each one of you is part of an experience that goes beyond what happens in your homes,” Peralta said, adding that it is difficult to experience this and not become interested and involved in collaborating with the changes needed in the world.

The president of Funglode and former Dominican President, Dr. Leonel Fernández, sent a recorded message to the participants in which he stressed that “this model has become a standard of
excellence.”

“Make the best of this experience. I will be closely watching the results,” said Dr. Fernández, who conceived the development of the UNA-DR as a leader committed to providing educational tools to young people to give them a global view of what is happening around in the world and encourage them to get involved in influencing necessary changes.

Mr. Herrera gave a speech in which he stressed that CILA 2015 is an
educational tool with a very special nuance aimed at encouraging the involvement of young people.

“Understanding and achieving the Millennium Development Goals will no longer be an academic responsibility for these young people,” said Herrera as an example, “but rather to analyze the scope of CILA and level of interest and capacity for reflection on relevant issues are now in their hands.”

César Dargam, from
MIREX, said: “There are no words to describe the energy I felt walking into this room.” Speaking to the students at the meeting, Mr. Dargam noted that this year the United Nations celebrates its 70th anniversary, which gives a special meaning to the CILA meeting and the youth who, through this conference, are entering the world of this organization and are confronting the challenge to change the world.

After explaining the dimension and current context
of the United Nations, Emil Chireno of the UNA-DR stressed the importance of the students’ opportunity for having participated in this magical experience.

Mr. Chireno thanked the parents and teachers for the confidence they showed in participating in CILA 2015. He also praised the work of the volunteers.

He referred to the participation of Funglode and UNA-DR as a member of civil society in shaping the Development Agenda adopted by the United
Nations.

The opening ceremony concluded with the sounding of the gavel by Jhomairy Peralta, Secretary General of CILA 2015.

The work sessions got underway with the participation of Dr. Benjamin Goldfrank, a renowned American political scientist and professor at the School of Diplomacy, Seton Hall University, who spoke as a commissions’ advisor.

CILA 2015 offered several new developments in relation to previous conferences,
through the participation of new simulated commissions. One of them simulated a business competition among the most important companies in the world of technology.

For the second year, students took on the roles of editors of major news outlets, providing content and design that show great skills in managing technology as well as the concept of producing and disseminating information.

CILA 2015 put on two relevant cultural activities. The Global
Concert, “Sing 4 Peace,” was held on Friday the 23rd at 7:00 PM in the Ministry of Culture Auditorium. On Saturday the 24th at 7:00 PM, was the Cultural Gathering, also in the Ministry of Culture Auditorium.

The meeting concluded on Sunday October 25th with an awards ceremony and gala.