Dal 20 al 23 marzo 2025, un gruppo di studenti del nostro Liceo ha partecipato al Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN) a New York, evento internazionale che ha visto la partecipazione di oltre 4.000 giovani provenienti da più di 140 paesi. Ancora una volta un’occasione per affrontare temi globali come i diritti umani, la sicurezza internazionale e lo sviluppo sostenibile, e per lasciarsi catturare dall’energia e dalle meraviglie della Grande Mela.
The Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN) offers the unique formative experience for students from all over the globe to take on the role of diplomats for a week. Indeed the simulation of the United Nations (UN), aims to raise awareness among us students about our future allowing us an opportunity to face issues and deal with the consequences of our actions.
Everything started in the wee hours of the morning on the 19th of March 2025, when 22 students from Istituto Marymount High School took a flight to New York City, bursting with a blend of emotions and ready to prove the skills we had acquired over time in school. We scarcely managed to get a quick nap before an early first morning as delegates. After an abundant, greasy breakfast, at Starbucks (as we soon learnt, the dearest place for New Yorkers), with lemon cakes and cappuccinos flying around, making the place toasty and cosy, we were energised and ready for an interesting day at the UN HeadQuarters. Together with our teacher, Prof. Cunnigham, and several other exceptionally patient tutors, we set off for our journey like adventurers from our Marriott Marquis Hotel to the Assembly Hall.
The golden wall of the room made the whole place look heavenly, but the UN logo at the center, recalled the real reason why that place should resemble heaven. Because it is where the world meets for its future, for its present and for its past. There, time freezes leaving space for our imagination to run. There we listened to some of the political pillars of our societies, including esteemed journalist Maria Latella, former Editor-in-Chief of the Sole 24 Ore Salvatore Carrubba, and the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations Maurizio Massari. At that moment we were in a feverish dream, everything looked strangely still, but at the same moment everyone was moving, straightening their ties and suits, preparing themselves not for that precise instant, but for a future one. We were living what to us seemed our future and the future of every person in the world. We finally understood what we were going to become, and how to behave accordingly. We got back to the hotel, changed shoes and got ready for the first visits of the city.
The gray clouds of the morning’s overcast sky soon parted, making way for a stream of sunshine marking the radiant beginning of what would later turn out to be a week which strengthened the bonds between us 22 growing stronger and thicker. The afternoon began with a walking tour of the Big Apple. Soon we were under the magnificence of the Empire State Building, then turning the corner we unexpectedly already arrived at Herald Square, resting for the last and seemingly endless visit to Macy’s, with everyone manically running around the aisles of the store searching for the perfect item to buy. Soon, however, the fatigue of the overnight flight got a grip on us, leading the exciting, rumorous day to a quiet, subdued end as we collapsed into our beds.
Then, in the blink of an eye, everyone was suited up with the best ties, suits and pressed shirts, to cover the anxious shiverings, as they scurried around searching for their proper committees before the clock struck nine o’clock. Once everyone had their badges on and placards placed in their proper position, it was time to get the ball rolling. The Speakers’ Lists were opened and everyone rushed to raise their placards to secure the highest place in the order of the Speakers’ List, so as to be the first to express their position on the topic. Most countries had the possibility to show their analyses and concerns on a variety of issues in their opening speeches, which addressed topics including cybersecurity, human rights, terrorism. Some speakers exuded confidence while others could barely contain their anxiety, but everyone had the opportunity to prove themselves to their own chairperson and delegates. However some delegations (groups of 2 or 3 people which represented an assigned country) spoke for the first time through the moderated caucuses (moments of the conference where a delegation moved the attention of the committee to a precise sub-topic) requested by a fellow diplomat.
I will never forget that moment, my moment. It was the first moderated caucus called in my committee, and I had moved for it. I was enthusiastic, the pounding of my heart filled my ears, but then it was my turn, where I had to become someone else, to represent not only a person, but a whole country. I gripped my speeches firmly, but a whirlwind of emotions was swirling around inside of me. Time seemed to stop the instant I started speaking, my mind went quiet, focusing, as I realised that I knew what to say. I didn’t need to follow my written speech, but rather calmed my pounding heart and let it speak for me. As time passed, talking in front of hundreds of people became easier and easier. After having proved myself, it was finally the time to relax.
Central Park was now awaiting us with its peace, an oasis in the desert after hours and hours of walking in the seemingly infinite granules of sand. We walked through its lush greenery, climbing up the granite boulders upon which the soaring skyscrapers of Manhattan stood proud, eager to see the most well-known park in the world, to feel its quiescence after the kaleidoscopic cacophony of Times Square. On the way back, the cool darkness of the night embraced us, unveiling the true marvel that is 5th Avenue. We gaped at Trump Tower as it loomed over us, had to tear our eyes away from the window displays of the Louis Vuitton Store, admired the facade of the Plaza Hotel, and felt like we were strolling through a film. However, we weren’t just the characters, but also the directors of our own movie. Our dreams seemed to become tangible.
The second conference was even more entertaining than the first. We were now conscious about the topics and generally more relaxed, even though the fatigue of the meager hours of sleep was increasing day by day. In the evening the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) was glutted with hundreds of students on a treasure hunt to find their personal favorite art period to explore. Some rushed off to the modern art section, others to the Babylonian exhibition, and another group to the classical wing. We were soon memorized by the treasures we each found, staring into the soul of a precise piece of artwork, listening to it as it spoke to us.
During the last simulation the air vibrated with frenetic energy. Every single delegation had the same aim, the same goal, the same reason they had chosen to fly halfway around the world to show up: Win. The fight wasn’t only against other coalitions, but also within our own. During the voting procedure, we were able to select the resolutions (files made by the coalitions of delegations, which conserved the solutions thought by them to solve their assigned issues), which we found more cohesive with the topic, and more factual. One by one, every coalition was called to the podium to present and discuss their views, every question posed by the other states was defensively answered with a bit of insecurity and even bitterness. The atmosphere was decidedly tense. Those who survived were welcomed with clamorous applause and proud high-pitched shrieks of glee, whilst for those who didn’t have the privilege of hearing the cries of victory, it was like standing at the edge of a cliff, reaching out for the stars, but being pushed back by a blistering blast of wind. Regardless of who had won or lost, strolling down 5th Avenue, stopping every so often to do a bit of shopping, provided the perfect remedy. We had soon brushed off any trace of dissatisfaction and replaced it with a new, more benevolent memory that would stay with us for a lifetime.
The Closing Ceremony took place in the early afternoon of the following day. Like the Opening Ceremony, it featured special guests, such as the Italian Championship champion Paulo Roberto Falcao, and the World Cup winner Marco Tardelli, to guide us through the final part of our journey in New York. After some photos and selfies, keepsakes to show our friends and family, it was time to get changed into our concert suits for the Delegate Ball. Flashing lights illuminated a sea of raised hands accompanied by jumping music and jubilous screams which faded all too soon to be replaced, by heartfelt hugs and sorrowful goodbyes.
The freezing drizzle on the following morning, perfectly reflected our feelings. However, the rain didn’t stop us from taking advantage of our one final afternoon in the city that never sleeps. We visited the statuesque One World Trade Center, we felt like financial brokers when we saw the Bull of Wall Street, and we went back in time with a solemn silence with the 9/11 Memorial. Finally, the last day had come to an end. Brimming with new photos and irreplaceable memories, we boarded the flight back home, drifting off after a quick breakfast on the flight. Before we even knew it, we were opening our eyes to the thud of the aircraft landing back in Rome, where we woke up from this lucid dream.
Leonardo Gabrielli, 16 anni, Liceo Scientifico
(Il testo di questo articolo è comparso anche sul Marymount Express, giornalino del Liceo)
