“Good morning everyone.
I hope you’re all doing fine, well rested, and well prepared for this special day. And you all look beautiful by the way (one of the perks of having MUN, I guess, is showing off your best outfits).
Actually, besides dressing up in fancy suits and taking pictures to post on social media in a James Bond pose or whatever, we are gathered here today for a greater reason – a greater purpose. We are here to play the role of world leaders and diplomats; these dresses also serve as a reminder that we are the rising generation of tomorrow and that we hold the responsibilities of tending to this world’s wounds.
However, I know that considering other peoples’ suffering and finding the willpower to sacrifice your own time and put in a lot of effort for the sake of fighting for these people’s rights is not an immediate response that people have anymore. In fact, there seems to be a shared assumption that people are meant to suffer, that there is no need to fight for them; that this is how the world has always been and will forever continue to be regardless of all the efforts made. Although personally I do believe that it is quite obvious that such claims are simply foolish and that the world can indeed move forward, such statements should never be taken lightly. You see, an assumption that the world is static and that justice is merely a philosophical argument or concept rather than an achievable status is highly dangerous and suggests threatening levels of indifference.
As an example, to make this indifference more obvious to all of you, just think how although our timelines on Facebook are full of horrible pictures and heart-breaking news and we have learnt to simply scroll down. The events that used to shock us and hit our TV screens as breaking news are now barely even written in the small stream of news at the bottom of the television, further indicating this indifference.
To be honest, I think one of the biggest factors contributing to this growing indifference or numbness is the fact that for many of us these conflicts do not directly affect us. We do not actually feel their presence beyond the screens of our device, be it a TV, laptop or phone. We are very fortunate, very lucky. We are so lucky that we don’t even know how lucky we are and assume it to be something natural. We have almost lost the ability to feel gratitude for what we have.
On a more personal level I would like to say that although I am grateful and honored for having the opportunity to leave my own country and meet people from all across the globe, I often wonder: why me? I wonder what is so special about me that made me deserve the life that I enjoy today; I try and try and yet can find nothing. What makes me better than a young man I know back home who has the same dreams and aspiration as I, who is smarter, has a stronger work ethic, and is even a better speaker than I am? Unfortunately he is less advantaged, his father never finished his education and so was working on trucks for most of his life, trying to support the basic needs of his family. He would never even imagine the possibility of leaving his home and traveling anywhere around the world really, let alone the opportunity to debate world issues in such a lovely place like the one we are in today. People in similar situations or from similar backgrounds (like this friend of mine), suffer because they are unable to even conceive that their voices could ever being heard.
For the past 5 years or so, participating in Model UNs was my way of appreciating the treasures I was given. This platform never allowed me to forget the fact that I have a voice and I can be heard. It is from this understanding, also, that I almost feel obliged to use whatever opportunities I am provided with for the benefit of others, as much as I can. It also points out to me the injustice in life itself.
How many of you feel angry? 1 … 2 … 3 … I’m angry !!
How many of you are vexed by this injustice in the world, that I encourage you to never call natural?
It’s good to be Angry; it means you can feel, you’re alive and aware. What you do with that anger, however, is more important. You can either be like Ghandi and change the world, or you can pick up a gun. Ghandi changed the world with his anger. And if you dare think yourself any less than such major figures, then I say that you are creating your own excuses to release yourself from the responsibilities you have towards the rest of the world. Know that silence and indifference has never saved a life, but by speaking up, you just might. Have confidence in your voice! Have confidence in your perspective, your culture, and the diversity you can provide to this conference!
Before I leave you, I have one last request.
In a moment I want you to close your eyes. I’m going to count to three; when you open your eyes you will no longer be high school students, you’ll be diplomats representing 193 nations with the mission to solve issues ranging from human rights issues to climate change. READY??!!
Close your eyes! …1…2…3… Open your eyes please. This is real! Welcome to MUN Adriatic 2018!”.
Mohammad Yousef Alshaboul, 2nd year from Jordan, was on the MUN 2018 Organising Committee at UWC Adriatic, along with his co-years Beatrice Catena (Italy) and Sara Krupansky De Miguel (Czech Republic).
