Debate for Peace participated in Yale Model Government Europe XII in Athens, Greece from March 16-18. Yale Model Government is a crisis simulation which is held in a different European city each year on a rotational basis. Participants in the conference came from schools spanning four different continents, and participated in committees as diverse as the Red Cross; British Intelligence Committee; Civil Aviation; META leadership, FIFA, and more.
During the course of the three day conference, students faced unfolding crises and had to respond to them, dealing with situations ranging from the impact of climate change, to alien invasions. In addition, the students heard from Yale faculty, diplomats working at the UN, and other guest speakers; got to see an art exhibition with work by refugees from around the world by the NGO Love Without Borders, and participated in workshops led by Yale students.
The Debate for Peace delegation included native Arabic, English, Hebrew and Russian speakers. In total there were ten students from six different cities and seven schools, including Atid Raziel in Herzliya; Darca Comprehensive School for Sciences and Leadership in Kfar Qasem; Rishonim high school in Herzliya; Darca Begin in Gedera; Studio Ankori in Jaffa; Alliance high school in Tel Aviv and Bogaerts International School in Brussels.
Yaara Ravoy, from Darca Begin, said that “Going to YMGE was amazing, an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I have never been in this type of committee before and it was so interesting. I’m so proud to have been a part of it.”
Naomi Gildor, from the Ankori school in Jaffa, shared “The experience was life-changing. Every second changed something in me.”
Mohamad Taha, from Darca Comprehensive Kfar Qasem, added that “It was so fun to participate in the Yale Model Government. We had fun and made new friends.”
Yazan Atieh, from Bogaerts International School, told Diplomacy.co.il that “It was my first time doing an MUN and to be honest, it was fun, intense and very enriching! Our delegation received the award of the “best small delegation”! There couldn’t be a better way to end this wonderful experience.
Debate for Peace thanks the Yale Model Government Europe team for hosting an unforgettable conference, and the Embassy of Greece in Tel Aviv for helping all members of the delegation reach the competition on time.
:Steven Aiello
Photo credit: Steven Aiello and Amira Abdelhai
