The Berlin Model United Nations (BERMUN) Conference, a bi-annual gathering of senior high school students from 28 countries and 63 participating schools demonstrated its solidarity with the Filipino people and expressed its unequivocal support for the typhoon Haiyan victims. The Conference held from 20 to 23 November was hosted by the JFK School in Berlin in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung , a non-profit German political institution dedicated in promoting discussion and search for solution to global issues.
In a moving speech during the opening ceremonies of the Conference, Ms. Sophia Natividad, daughter of Her Excellency Ambassdor Maria Cleofe R. Natividad invited attention to the devastation left by typhoon Haiyan and the unprecedented global efforts underway to extend humanitarian assistance to typhoon victims. Her speech aided by powerpoint presentation of photos taken during the onslaught of typhoon and complemented by the powerful rendition of “O Bayan Ko” (call on the country to rise from the ashes of the calamity) by tenor Jose Mari Rubio and soprano Mylah Rubio of the Embassy stunned the audience and filled the packed amphitheater of FES with standing ovation applause and misty eyes.
At the end of the Conference, BERMUN raised more than a thousand euro from the sales of BERMUN mug which will be turned over to the Philippine Embassy.
Berlin Model United Nations Conference is a simulation of actual UN General Conference where students dressed in suits play the role of delegates to UN Conference, draft speeches and resolutions, lobby and negotiate assigned country positions.
These future leaders learn basic international and political law, and get acquainted with UN procedures. These would be leaders are trained in decision making while maintaining the UN ideals.
Directors Karin Howevann, William Robertson and Dr. Walter Peterson organized and managed the Conference.
