Esteemed MUN advisors, honorable delegates and future participants,

 

On behalf of the Secretariat, it is our utmost honor and pleasure to invite you to participate in this year’s 16th annual CGS Model United Nations Conference to be hosted in the city of Athens 10th-12th December 2021 on the theme of “op-PRESS-ion”.

Today, we reside in a world that is filled with variety; variety in people, in culture, and in expression. Variety is defined by difference and in turn, by disagreement. Ironically, the very same difference that fills our world is the cause of almost every problem we face. Almost traditionally, the human race has found itself fighting against it. Our failure to embrace variety has created oppression. Oppression can be defined as an “unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power”. With the world striving to embrace change and progression, tackling oppression is more crucial now than it has ever been. As Desmond Tutu famously once said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”.

Having reached the current status quo, living in a world where it is realistic to believe that violations of fundamental human rights and injustice will be brought upon those who are different, we must shoulder the burden of responsibility to act; it is our obligation. This is the realisation we wish to ‘spark’ in those attending this year’s CGSMUN conference. Of course, oppression itself is a problem of global magnitude, rendering its immediate resolution impossible and its amelioration unfathomably difficult. It is beyond important for the citizens of tomorrow to be aware of issues that often escape recognition. An issue should never be neglected because of its difficulty; on the contrary, according to the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres: “Words are not enough; we must be prepared to act – especially when it is difficult to do so”.

In response to past events, we have decided to add a new committee to this edition of CGSMUN. After a pandemic, we believe that the addition of a World Health Organization (WHO) committee, in the place of a second Environment Committee, will further enrich the experience for delegates, and better simulate the real United Nations. This committee will address the important issues of universal health coverage, organ trafficking, vaccine distribution, and counterfeit medicine, and it is highly recommended for delegates who are either embarking on or have recently set out on their MUN careers.

Now more than ever, it is important to value the act of coming together from around the world and discussing global issues that will impact our generation in the future. By addressing the generation that will have to deal with these problems, the goal of CGSMUN is to prepare students to become international citizens. CGSMUN believes in exposing young, internationally-minded students to a world of thought-provoking debate, and other like-minded delegates with whom to connect.

We are always faced with challenges, with new ones arising once one is defeated. One can always believe that they will just disappear, and we will not have to deal with them. However, if the past years have taught us anything, it is that you can only solve problems by being transparent and direct, facing them head-on. At CGSMUN, this is precisely what delegates will realise and build on: global issues are not solved by turning a blind eye.

On behalf of the entire CGSMUN team, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you in December!

 

The Secretary General Chris Moustakis

The President of the General Assembly Josephine Hellauer