Issue 1

November 2011

MAMUNEWS
Make a difference!
The kids of today will be the parents of tomorrow stated the Secretary General, Saad El Yamani "Not now!!" insisted James Mattiace, Director of MAMUN

The Rabat American School and the Casablanca American School organized the 2nd annual Moroccan Model United Nations in Rabat at the ISESCO and CNRST. This simulation serves as a great experience for students from different schools around the kingdom. Led by the Secretary General, Saad El Yamani, the opening ceremony was a great hit as it included the views of different delegates as well as an inspirational speech by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco. The atmosphere was tense as the delegates gave their speeches, and nervously awaited a response. While ideas sprang from all directions, thoughtprovoking questions, challenged them. After the ceremony ended, everyone headed for dinner, with stomachs craving for food.
7-8:30 pm Dinner, with special guests seated next to the delegates

FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER: ISESCO

5 pm Opening Session Welcome Opening Speeches

Lorem Ipsum Dolor

Spring 2012

Interview with the Secretary General, Saad El Yamani

Is it your first time as Secretary General? Yes it is. My sister was Secretary General last year, and I got chosen this year. What is your role as a Secretary General? Im in charge of contacting the minister of foreign affairs, and I talk to the ambassadors and to the chairs. I coordinate everything, arrange and organize every activity, meeting or event. I am basically the behind the curtains guy. What are you expectations for these meetings? I expect to get as many tasks and meetings done as possible. What is the main aim of this conference? This conference allows to educate todays youth, helps them understand more about the UN. We start by educating the youth. It gives the teens the chance to rise and shine, and it opens doors to a potential political career. What career are you planning to take? I am currently hesitating between a political and a business career, but I obviously want a financial success, and I want to make a change in the world. How do you keep your hair so soft and shiny? I arrange my hair three times a week at the hairdresser.
Out of all the Secretary Generals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, Saad has the best hair. Seriously, just look at how it flows naturally and makes his whole head look good. James Mattiace

We see that you take a lot of care of your hair. What kind of shampoo do you use? I use a product called Kerastase from Dessange. It is a big orange pot, and it keeps you hair soft and really shiny.

''Its a great place to exchange new ideas and meet new people" Delegate of Nigeria
2

Lorem Ipsum Dolor

Spring 2012

Interview with Michael Jensen, Ministry Counsellor, Embassy of Denmark

During the dinner, special guests came to talk about each committee. They sat at the tables to share their opinions and information about special topics with the delegates. At the disarmament committee Mr Jensen presided over the main topic, North Korea. First of all, the budget devoted to nuclear weapons is very consequential. Therefore as a nation with nuclear power, North Korea has never been attacked. Besides, the main financial resources come from black trade. In addition, North Korea wants to show the West, especially the United States, that it is strong and doesn't need foreign help. In a nutshell, Mr.Jensen affirmed that all states have the right to develop nuclear energy but the problem is that they can use it as a weapon and the United Nations is wondering how to control this possible misuse of nuclear energy.

We asked people to describe MUN in a few words:

Yassine Oujamaa, RAS: exciting, amazing, good experience Erin Ladd, RAS: crazy, chaotic, fun, stressful Tina Berndt, RAS: Mini heart attack! Mehdi CAS: fun, intense, crowded, great experience!

At the Human Rights table, people debated over freedom of speech. This definitely controversial issue raises the problem of its own definition: what is freedom of speech? Limits are really hard to set, but no limits would be dangerous as they could lead to the proliferation of racist thoughts, aggressive ideas for example. Governments have to protect their people from violence, but at the same time they should not conceal essential information. Then, the question of who is in charge of freedom of speech was raised: Is it each government or the United Nations? And how can the UN interfere in order to implement the respect of human rights?

Hafsa Rmich, RAS: Its a good experience and a KICK! Mehdi Zniber, RAS: Its amazing, I feel like a real business man! Hamza Ben M' Barek, Lyce Descartes: this is his first MUN. fun, cultural, amazing and a good way to learn to debate.

Lorem Ipsum Dolor

Spring 2012

We asked some first time delegates about how they feel about the MaMUN and received a large variety of answers How do you feel about being a delegate? Nizar, jai peur. Was the answer of a delegate of Portugal. The other delegates of this country were also a bit nervous but very very motivated and HAPPY! . Why is everyone speaking with the third person ? asked an anonymous delegate. What do you think it (the Conference) is going to be like ? We really dont know what to expect. Was the answer we got from delegates of India, Japan, Finland, South

The Opening ceremony

On this Friday 11th November of 2011 took place the Opening ceremony of the second MaMun Conference. As soon as we got in the room, we could feel the excitement and the determination of all the delegates. Once everybody got to their seat, Saad El Yamani, the Secretary General gave a speech welcoming the delegates. After the intervention of Mr Nacer Bourita, the Secretary General of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saad el Yamani called the first ambassador to give his speech. The delegate of Gabon was the first one to express himself and France was the last. Between all the ambassadors, some of them got themselves noticed by the original gifts they brought to the Secretary General. Germany brought a little car, South Africa brought an Ostrich egg and the USA brought a can of Coca Cola. The Secretary General gave the delegates the possibility to intervene and ask questions to the delegates representing other countries. China was greatly attacked by other countries, so the Secretary General decided to stop all questions adressed to China took the decision to stop all the questions addressed to China.

Ice Breaker
At the end of all the debates it was time for the ice breaker. It started with the Social and Economic committee, making cat noises until other groups started making their own assigned animal noises. All the groups started by standing in a circle. They displayed their groups symbol or name, on an Ipad. Some delegates were very shy, and seemed confused. All in all it went very well. The chants were very original. Unfortunately, some of the noises were not understandable, as some delegates were too loud, and the atmosphere was confusing.

Press Staff Kenza Mouaqit Hiba Mohammadi Myriam Hassouni Ismael Regragui Chama Benabdesslam Samia Mah Nizar Salamat Batoul Zouaoui Aida Sekkat Helen Melcherts Gerhard DeVilliers Ali Belbaraka