With 435 total attendees from twenty different international schools, BCNMUN has officially begun. During the opening ceremony, Thom Gibbs (MUN Director) and Gabriel Rodgers (Secretary General) introduced this year's theme of ‘Peace & Conflict’ and its relevance within the increasing tensions that punctuate the geopolitical stage today. Beyond sending words of encouragement to the delegates, all speakers reminded the audience of the importance of MUN as a key foundational experience in striving for international progress, restating the key role of resolutions, negotiation, and compromise in effective action while declaring the conference as an initial “catalyst for change”. Omar Ugalde, ASB’s High School Principal, then expanded on the significance of education and exposure to different cultures in building empathy and creating impactful, longlasting change, calling it an “antidote for prejudice and a driver for progress” and encouraging the delegates with a hopeful message, stating “...peace is not just an aspiration, but a possibility”. Emanuelle Diehl, keynote speaker and senior advisor on conflict with extensive international experience within the UN and other organizations, prompted the delegates to “question the status-quo” and encompass varying perspectives to holistically approach current global issues. Constant research and up-to-date information as the best way to tackle the complexities within global conflicts was also highlighted, emphasizing the importance of understanding the driving forces behind different challenges within successful negotiations. Delegates were then given the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a Kahoot, the winner of which received a 5€ discount on BCNMUN merchandise that was previously showcased through a short fashion show presented by Admin.

 

All delegates, chairs, and staff then traveled to the NH Hotel in bus, where Team Building activities such as pictionary, passionate impromptu speeches on randomized topics, or karaoke occurred within each committee. After getting to know each other better, all Forums were in session, a select number of delegates of which presented their opening speeches and shared their general sentiments for the debates to come. The states’ approach within their specific topic-focus, from Iran’s short divulgement into Islamic teachings surrounding the disarmament of religious extremism in DISC, to Estonia’s denouncing of the lack of state-recognition by the UN’s contribution to armed conflicts and the accessibility of reproductive healthcare in GA, was also shared. The rising threat of the Boko Haram in SC and the ensuring of women’s rights in the Maghreb discussed in UNHRC were also reflected on on a surface-level by the delegates, laying the groundwork for the in-depth debates to come. These brief, initial discussions led to an extensive, two hour lobbying session within each committee. All forums then spent the rest of the conference building resolutions together, while getting the approval panel’s feedback before the commencement of tomorrow’s discourse.

With 435 total attendees from twenty different international schools, BCNMUN officially began. Initially inaugurating the opening ceremony, speakers Thom Gibbs (MUN Director) and Gabriel Rodgers (Secretary General) introduced this year's theme of ‘Peace & Conflict’ and its relevance within the increasing tensions that punctuate the geopolitical stage today. Beyond sending words of encouragement to the delegates, all speakers reminded the audience of the importance of MUN as a key foundational experience in striving for international progress, restating the key role of resolutions, negotiation, and compromise in effective action while declaring the conference as an initial “catalyst for change”. Omar Ugalde, ASB’s High School Principal, then expanded on the significance of education and exposure to different cultures in building empathy and creating impactful, longlasting change, calling it an “antidote for prejudice and a driver for progress” and encouraging the delegates with a hopeful message, stating “...peace is not just an aspiration, but a possibility”. Emanuelle Diehl, keynote speaker and senior advisor on conflict with extensive international experience within the UN and other organizations, prompted the delegates to “question the status-quo” and encompass varying perspectives to holistically approach current global issues. Constant research and up-to-date information as the best way to tackle the complexities within global conflicts was also highlighted, emphasizing the importance of understanding the driving forces behind different challenges within successful negotiations. Delegates were then given the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a Kahoot, the winner of which received a 5€ discount on BCNMUN merchandise that was previously showcased through a short fashion show presented by Admin.

 

All delegates, chairs, and staff then traveled to the NH Hotel in bus, where Team Building activities such as pictionary, passionate impromptu speeches on randomized topics, or karaoke occurred within each committee. After getting to know each other better, a select number of delegates of presented their opening speeches and shared their general sentiments for the debates to come. The states’ approach differ within their specific topic-focus. From Iran's short divulgement into Islamic teachings surrounding the disarmament of religious extremism in DISC, to Estonia denouncing of the lack of state-recognition by the UN’s contribution to armed conflicts and the accessibility of reproductive healthcare in GA, was also shared. The rising threat of the Boko Haram in SC and the ensuring of women’s rights in the Maghreb discussed in UNHRC were also reflected on by the delegates, laying the groundwork for the in-depth debates to come. These brief, initial discussions led to an extensive, two hour lobbying session within each committee. All forums then spent the rest of the conference building resolutions together, while getting the approval panel’s feedback before the commencement of tomorrow’s discourse.

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With the setting up of each committee and arrival of all delegates in the early-morning, the second and most debate-heavy day of the conference commenced. After a general role-call, introductory explanation of the structure of the debate and general topics to be discussed, all forums were in session. Following the overviews of each committee’s resolutions, varying delegates for and against the latter’s clauses took the floor, offering improvements and critiques of the proposals while providing new amendments, modifications, and motions. The specificities and more detailed examples of this for each committee are elaborated on below. Within the morning’s discussions, delegates were given a fifteen minute coffee break to briefly unwind, socialize with fellow delegates, and share the progress they’d made with other committee members. This extended onto the lunch break later that afternoon, where delegates had time to peruse the nearby streets of L’Illa and its restaurants. 

 

In General Assembly, discussions surrounding the measures necessary to prevent armed conflicts in states with limited UN recognition and the legality of abortion brought varying views to the stage. Somalia’s chosen clauses that encourages member states to develop and strengthen systems to address potential conflicts before they escalate, for example, called for the strengthening of the UN as an collaborative institution, emphasizing the need for cooperation to promote economic well-being and stability in low-income countries and avoid the rise of armed conflicts from social and political unrest. Supported by Morocco and others, the body generally agreed in the latter’s implementation as an efficient provision of these resolutions. Within the theme of unrecognized states, Saudi Arabia also instigated discussion on a clause proposed by Estonia which urged the need to grant these entities support and rights in engaging in diplomatic processes, international organizations and aid. Moreover, Ukraine built on this with their own resolution, encouraging member states to engage in inclusive dialogue with non-recognized states to gain a more nuanced understanding of the root causes of these conflicts. Despite the general agreement of the delegates of partnership and inclusivity as a means to better life within these states, many others, such as Iraq or Côte d’Ivoire, largely critiqued the resolutions for their vagueness and the lack of a clear pathway to bringing peace beyond calming violent conflicts. However, the discourse following the need to support reproductive healthcare in especially hostile circumstances was agreed on by a large majority, arguing that this would provide positive outcomes for the states that do not ban abortion, while making progress within those that do.

 

The very different UNHRC followed the promotion of women’s rights in the Maghreb region, as well as the need of establishing measures to ensure the safety of political dissidents in Venezuela. Although initially proposed by Germany in their resolution, several countries agreed on the proposed fund targeting gender equality institutions as a means of ensuring equality in the region. However, maintaining this within the large displacement of refugees remained a great concern, the latter of which became a source of critique for the clauses’ supporter Tunisia, criticized for its unsuitability to oversee the implementation of the policy given its failure to recognize marital rape as a crime and uphold the basic foundation of women’s rights. This clause also met its share of disagreements and speeches against, an example of which was Libya’s belief that the policy would only act as a transgression on sovereign states and that the UN’s inability to meld in their domestic affairs would only make its implementation slower and ineffective, calling this an “insertion of Western propaganda”. Saudi Arabia, however, expressed hope in the progress that the Maghreb region has come to achieve, stating its focus on improving women’s working conditions and protections while handling sexual harassment, is only a piece within the delegate’s collaborative, longterm solution for a longstanding issue. This same detail was given to the discussion on political dissidents in Venezuela. 

 

As for UNODC’s topics of establishing policies to eradicate drug money laundering and implementing measures to prevent and eradicate juvenile delinquency, opposing views were discussed regarding the cooperation of organizations to dismantle these criminal groups and the need for joint surveillance in sectors that are vulnerable to money laundering. A modified juvenile justice system recognizing the need for different approaches to rehabilitate this younger demographic also proved to be a polemic topic, with more than three rounds of delegates taking the floor to argue for and against its reasoning and implementation. Polarized debate also arose in DISC surrounding the disarmament of religious extremism, with Ethiopia condemning religious radicalization and emphasizing the need for religious and educational instruments in these countries to hinder inaccurate beliefs. Their encouragement of member states to contribute to a series of peacekeeping operations led to the opposition of certain states to the clauses, arguing the targeting of extremist groups would only uproot the sovereignty of these affected states. The latter’s potential contributions in trafficking vulnerable individuals, more specifically refugees, and financing the interception of terrorist groups was also debated. 

 

The deep-rooted issues of the Boko Haram in Nigeria and the measures needed to improve the conflict between Turkey and the armed Kurdish groups were discussed in-depth and volleyed back and forth in SC. Despite Ghana’s and Albania’s belief that their proposed clause of encouraging all nations to provide military preparation to prepare a superior course of action and combat the latter’s terrorist group is an effective measure in handling this challenge if it revolved around collaboration, opposition on behalf of France, Ecuador, and several other states intercepted the passing of their resolution. The insertion of quote “incompetent states” within the implementation of their proposed plan lacked “centralization” and was argued it would make the process slower and more inefficient. The question of military corruption and overcoming this in honestly resolving this conflict, as well as the critique of the proposed resolution’s vagueness, divisiveness, and exacerbation of social and political unrest, also arose. Hence, several P5 sessions were in order, the latter of which resulted in several vetoes and objections. Despite their disagreements, the delegates were able to set aside their different interests and pass the first resolution towards the end of the conference.

 

As a culmination of the day’s varying detailed discussions and debates, nearly all committees succeeded in passing one of their four proposed resolutions. With this, delegates prepared for the final stages of the conference’s last day, while enjoying the festive social event held at Twenties within the heart of Barcelona.

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Continued debates between the delegates on the previously passed and added clauses, proposals, and general resolutions marked the start of the final BCNMUN conference. In UNHRC, delegates reaffirmed their previous commitment to supporting the funding of initiatives that promote human rights, while proposing changes surrounding the US’s need for more bilateral negotiations with Venezuela to ensure the protection of the latter while maintaining international pressure and exploring alternative diplomatic approaches to not compromise the integrity of ongoing efforts. In GA, delegates continued their discussion on the means in which they can assure sufficient action is taken to prevent the rise of social and political unrest as an instigator of armed and violent conflicts within non-recognized states. All states agreed and urged the creation of an organ under a monitored organization to specifically address the latter and the issue of providing reproductive rights within it, proposing increased funding in these healthcare centers near every major municipal district while focusing on global abortion trends. As for SC, the small but essential committee majorly debated the creation of a UK-led special envoy for the Turkey-Kurdish conflict, having already passed the first resolution focusing on Boko Haram the day prior. Their focus was on facilitating diplomatic tasks and promoting dialogue, seeking to promote a peaceful and sustainable resolution. This was also proposed to be executed and collaborated closely on with regional organizations and neighboring states, ensuring a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution. 

Amidst the varying committees' extensive debates, a surprise crisis alert appeared, providing each committee with a different emergency task and 40 minutes to build a resolution, something that could only be achieved through the collaboration of the delegates and the putting aside of their differences. DISC dealt with the disarming of unregulated AI military weapons manufactured illegally for the use of DPRK and private buyers, while UNHRC found quick solutions to international reporters being taken hostage by the Talibans, and the UNODC with the sudden re-emergence of the infamous Medellín cartel. GA and SC also followed through with these emergency crises, being confronted with the immediate concern of the crisis of the arctic and the increasingly worsening climate crisis, and Elon Musk declaring Mars for his and the US’s expansion (respectively). The few delegates managing the latter proposed varying clauses, from changing the legal title of Japan to the ‘Empire of Japan’ to instill fear in Musk’s heart and discourage his inklings to further invade Mars as well as the annexation of the DPRK to bolster the Japanese military and deter Musk, to Malta’s proposal of sanctioning Musk’s actions and sending a warrant in his arrest while condemning SpaceX in its indirect involvement. Through this and within all committees, delegates had the chance to work more closely with all their fellow peers, creating a much-needed resolution approved by the large majority. After this, all delegates continued tackling their previously-discussed resolutions and finalizing their edits before the arrival of lunch and the debates' official end. Following the latter, all delegates regrouped and attended the closing ceremony, where members of the Executive Committee alongside both MUN Directors expressed their appreciation towards the delegates’ hard work and determination that only contributed to the significance and value of the conclusions reached during the conference. Words of optimism for future conventions and overall transformative change were also shared, as well as the recognition of the dedication of the Admins and Media Team in preparing and presenting this conference the best it could possibly be. Each committees’ chairs then presented the honorable mentions and best delegates within their debates, presenting each with a certificate and BCNMUN trophy. With the latter’s closing remarks and thoughtful compilation video, courtesy of UCG of Media Riley Wittman, BCNMUN 2023 officially came to a close.

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