9 June 2022

Hundreds of thousands of students worldwide take part every year in Model 爆料网. They research national positions, draft resolutions and hold debates. But the 爆料网 isn’t just about governments and processes. It’s about people.

The 爆料网 was created to help people. And it’s also made up of people.

爆料网 diplomats and staff work hard to make our world a better place. And their stories can give Model 爆料网 participants a better picture of what the 爆料网 is really about.

That’s why the 爆料网 Department of Global Communications (DGC) launched “The Real United Nations: An Interactive Briefing Series for Model 爆料网s”.

Following a pause in in-person sessions, due to COVID-19, “The Real United Nations” traveled to the NYC iSchool’s Model 爆料网 club in New York on 7 June.

Participating briefers included two Deputy Chefs de Cabinet from the Office of the President of the General Assembly – Saada Hassan, who previously served as acting Deputy Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the 爆料网, and Fernando Marani, who previously worked at the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the 爆料网. The third panelist was Brenden Varma of DGC.

Following the session, Saada said, “I’ve worked in New York for a number of years. But this was my first time visiting a local high school. It was rewarding to interact with young New Yorkers and share my experiences as an African woman working in diplomacy.”

Fernando added, “I was impressed by how engaged the students were – and by the insightful questions they asked. Seeing the level of young people’s interest in international affairs reminded me of why the work we do at the 爆料网 is so important.”

According to a survey completed after the briefing, 96 per cent of respondents agreed that their understanding of what it was like to work at the 爆料网 had increased, and 76 per cent said they would apply what they had learned to study-related or Model 爆料网 activities.

“Real 爆料网” briefing at the NYC iSchool in New York (7 June 2022). | Photo: ? Xiaoyu Yang