To whom it may concern:

 

Firstly, I would like to welcome all the delegates, secretariat, staff and several other associates to the XX TJMUN, thanking each one of you in the process, because the great institution that the Thomas Jefferson Model of United Nations has become, would not be what it is without the cooperation of those who are going to participate in this three intense days, and of course those who have formed part of the model during the past 19 years.

These types of events are precisely what encompass the necessity during the current Status Quo of society. Cynicism seems to have overcome the population, and appears to be the mindset to which the next generations will be adjusted. Of course, these are no times to be very optimistic. People have become less trustful, perhaps because society and governments have become less trustworthy. There seems to be a general point of view in which the world is condemned to worsen gradually, until we descend into oblivion. Sometimes it appears that the population has taken a stance towards not making an effort to change, due to the fact that they feel impotent to alter the present situation, and are overwhelmed by the amount of bad news. It is necessary to acknowledge the state of society today to correctly work towards improving it. Civilization is not fine, that is something we can all agree on. Climate change, national and international conflicts, rights violations, natural disasters, economical crises, poverty, famine, droughts, overpopulation, pollution, corruption, violence, trafficking, illiteracy, scarcity of water, disease and so many problems more come to devastate us. But one thing we must remember is how the whole progress of history has brought us here. Recall all of the past conflicts and violations and the way they have shaped us. We are not in the worst fragment of history. Imagine how the next decades, centuries and millennia will be if we correctly model it together as whole society, taking the instant we know as present as a point in an ascend, only going upwards from know on, that started in a moment we cannot exactly pinpoint. See the negative, the positive and those things that cannot be objectively classified. We must be able to develop a historical and critical view of the world, become understanding towards the necessities of others, become aware of our own rights, first as humans, then as citizens. Afterwards, fight towards the achievement of a possible future, making it while time continues its progress. Procure being skeptic, but not overtly cynic. Demand to those who should give, and provide to those who clamor their needs. Be open to change your mind, but also work towards changing that of others.

That is why Models of United Nations are important. They form a critical thinking, permitting people to open their eyes upon the reality of the world, not only to become aware of it, but also to enable the reshaping of it. It also submerges you into another opinion that can be completely different to your own, reinforcing the openness of ones point of view, through the lenses of the United Nations, probably the best organization to surge from the human spirit of improving the outlook of the future through cooperation. As a long time participant of MUNs, I have only but marvels to speak about these important occasions. Not only is the central idea of increasing globalized thinking the one that makes these models relevant and exciting, but also the academic and social aspects of them enlarge the idea of them. The investigation abilities, debating skills, and specific and general knowledge gained, make this event a relevant moment in the process of academic growth. In the social aspect, it reinforces the sense of unity inside the school and outside it. It provides connections, interaction and the establishment of friendships, as well as providing a platform for travel and professional development.

The effective progress of this model lies in the conviction of each delegate and staff member. To everyone, I encourage you to make these three days successful. Debate, learn, compel and astonish, but perhaps, today, most importantly of all, enjoy.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sergio Eduardo Audelo Egea & Mariana Manrique

Undersecretaries for International Court of Justice/International Criminal Court