Great Scot September 2018 Gt Scot_154_September_online | Page 37

ABOVE: YEAR 12 PARTICIPANTS IN THE MODEL UN CONFERENCE IN GERMAN. FRONT ROW: NICK MARKS, CAMPBELL RICKARD, ANTONY LAKE,
JOSHUA DEVONSHIRE. BACK ROW: JOSHUA YONG, SEBASTIAN REY-FLEMING, CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERLAIN, DR REIFARTH
GERMAN LANGUAGE MODEL UN —
GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Seven Year 12 boys participated in the
annual United Nations Association of Australia
German Language Model UN Conference, held
in the Old Treasury Building in Melbourne on 22
June. Schools represented different countries
to strike a new resolution regarding the current
international immigration crisis.
As the seven of us sat around in the final
weeks of term pondering what we were to
make of the long, arduous holidays that loomed
ahead, we were well and truly without a cause
— lost and confused. And then word came from
the Language Centre that there was hope on
the horizon: a day-long conference dedicated
solely to discussions of politics with similarly
keen-minded individuals! In German! And, as if
that weren’t enough, it was said that we were to
be graced with the benevolent presence of Dr
Gert Reifarth.
And what a truly memorable day it was.
Two dozen position papers were delivered
with rigorous gusto, and the delegates of each
country manoeuvred through the technical
details of foreign policy with an expertise that
belied the challenges of communicating in a
second language. The Scotchies were split
up on the day between Venezuela and South
Sudan – no longer friends, but unacquainted
delegates, on occasion even foes – working
hard for the best interests of their respective
nations.
After the initial speeches had been given,
we moved to an unmoderated caucus, allowing
representatives to pursue potential accomplices
who could support their amendments. But the
session after lunch was where the plot really
began to thicken. Having heatedly discussed
their tactics over a wholesome meal from
the mall cafeteria, both countries returned,
committed and calculated. Here, countries
were given the chance to speak to the entire
assembly about proposed actions and motions.
And, let it be known, the Venezuelans and
South Sudanese were not about to take no for
an answer, as they seized every opportunity
to expose the tremendous flaws in policy of
wealthy Western nations.
In all, the day was highly rewarding, as
each boy became more fluent in both political
discourse and the intricacies of the German
language. Our thanks go especially to Dr
Reifarth for accompanying and mentoring us.
Deutsch lernen macht Spaß! (Learning
German is fun!)
NICK MARKS — YEAR 12
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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