Opening Ceremony – The Beginning of a New Tradition

With everyone rumoring there, anxious to get things started, the conference debuted with Mr. Pi’s friendly welcome. He introduced the Secretary General, who spoke about the importance of this event. She depicted it as being an opportunity for individual to develop, to bring a change. She ended her speech encouraging for one last time the participants: “Be brave and assume this world! Take the word, speak up, enjoy MUN!”

Ștefana Covalciuc, the Deputy Secretary General, believes that MUN is the basis of a successful society”. Here everyone is not a single person anymore, but must speak up for a whole nation. “It is our duty to help the world!” Motivated by the volunteering work done at the association “Save the Children”, she mentioned the situation of the poor children, who do not have the chance to develop, who do not have the chance to study and last, but not least, do not have our opportunities.

After, that, the chairs from each committee presented their main objectives, beginning with the Environment Committee (formed of Maria Sînziana Aștefănoaei and Cătălin Toma). They presented the actual situation of the world at the moment, about the dangers represented by pollution, CO2 excess, and the human interference with nature. “It is our responsibility not to change, but to preserve the planet”, ended the environment chairs.The Political Committee, formed of Maria Coțofan and Mădălina Darabană, considers this a great occasion to step up for our own values and make a change. Mădălina Darabană spoke about piracy, and how we can prevent it. From the EcoSoc Committee, Liviu Damian depicted the idea that the “true value is no longer appreciated”. George Oprea, representing the Human Rights Committee, approached the conference in a new perspective. He considers this event not only a great opportunity to find solutions to existing problems, but an exercise of imagination, in which we must put ourselves in the shoes of the real citizens of that country, to understand and assume their mentality. Also, he sees this as a great chance to develop ourselves, our speaking skills and persuasion power.

The next on the list was Mr. Talpalaru, the headmaster from “Emil Racoviță”, who presented the debates’ importance, Racoviță having already a past in this field. “Our main goal is to achieve excellence through education. The youths are our hope into the future, and I trust them to bring a change in the world”, Mr. Talpalaru declared.  In the end of his speech, he thanked Mr. Pi, in English.

Liliana Romaniuc, the chief school inspector was impressed by the wish of Racoviță’s students to organize such an amazing thing, and stated that “life and society is much more than what we can imagine.”

The President of Peace Corps – Romania, Ken Goodson, started his speech with few, presenting the significance of Peace Corps, with the help of the audience. He gave examples of true “bedtime stories” , beginning with his family, and ending with the astonishing story of Alexandro Toledo, demonstrating how “impossible is possible”. He closed his speech with a rhetoric question: “What’s the impossible that YOU will make possible?”

The Ambassador Gitenstein confessed that he has roots in Romania, his father being a Romanin citizen. He was open to answer the questions from the public. That’s how we found out that the most difficult thing for him to adapt was trying to understand the country, and the way it works. He advices us to preserve our nature and our architecture, because it is an enthralling proof of our beauty. He wants to implement a stronger strategy for U.S.to cooperate with Romania. He read some of Eugen Ionesco’s work, and he also admires Emil Constantinescu, for his courage to coordinate the country.

The ceremony ended with a last warm welcome from the Secretary General, who officially declared IASIMUN session open.