On behalf of the Secretariat, it is our honour and privilege to cordially invite you to participate in this year’s 17th annual CGS (Costeas-Geitonas School) Model United Nations Conference on “Rebuilding Trust” to be hosted in the city of Athens 16th-18th December, 2022.
Modern democracy and diplomacy depend on trust as it is vital to global stability and security; however, now that we find ourselves in a contemporary world fraught with endless crises, it seems that trust in global institutions and governance has fallen completely out of favor. Today, relationships are unclear, bringing about unpredictability and a lack of accountability that tend to permeate all levels of society, while a deep mistrust exists between countries and groups of countries. The United Nations runs on trust and most notably partnership; yet, the current lack of trust in it is not a global relations phenomenon, rather a social one. We are faced with a sheer lack of trust in our governments, in multilateral governance and even in our people. Conflicts, not only between nations, but between people and societies themselves, have become increasingly harder to resolve. Democracy’s key element is the communication between the political and civil societies; consequently, when trust is lacking, democratic processes such as decision making are severely impaired. In simple terms, in a democratic world, trust is a fundamental value; nevertheless, today we highly disregard it on a civil, domestic and international level. It is essential that governance and confidence between governments and people be improved as it is a prerequisite if confidence in relations between countries is to be restored. We live today in a world that is no longer bipolar, no longer unipolar; however, not yet multi-polar, either. As the German playwright and poet Bertolt Brecht said: “Don’t tell me peace has broken out’’.
In order to offer a unique experience which would simulate the work of the United Nations, but also prove valuable to the participants, we are enriching our conference. This year we have decided on the inclusion of a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) committee, an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. This committee will address the important issues of the situation in modern juvenile detention facilities in regard to human right violations, the protection of children living in exploitative and violent households, childcare during the early stages of development, as well as diversity and inclusivity in sports, and, given its status as a beginner to intermediate committee, 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 vital to value the act of coming together from around the world and discussing global concerns that will have a decisive impact on our generation in the future. The purpose of CGSMUN is to inspire internationally-minded young people to make a difference and recognize that it is in their own hands to shape their futures. CGSMUN is responsible for assisting the preparation of students who wish to become international citizens, by introducing them to a world of thought-provoking debate, and connecting them with other like-minded delegates. This conference aims not only at inspiring students, but also providing them with skills they can utilise for the entirety of their lives, from public speaking skills to social skills and negotiation skills. The 17th CGSMUN conference will provide the opportunity for delegates to develop the aforementioned skills, among others, which will prove to be vital for their academic and professional lives.
On behalf of the entire CGSMUN team, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you in December!
| The Secretary General
Areti Moustaki |
The President of the General Assembly
Jason Patsatzis |
