CLEIMUN18 Opening Ceremony
“Finally, it gives me great pleasure to declare that the Cleveland International Model United Nations is now officially open,” Deputy Secretary General Alexis Defreitas ‘18 declares with a final bang of her gavel. With over 12 schools represented and students hailing from 4 different continents, CLEIMUN18 is slated to be the biggest conference in its history- and it’s evident that students are eager to be a part of it. “This conference represents the best of young leaders,” Deputy Director of CLEIMUN, Charlie Polinko, shares in his welcoming remarks, “even you as a single person can have a profound impact on the world.”
The theme of CLEIMUN18 is “Diplomacy in a Violent World.” Delegates are expected to collaborate and stay strong in their beliefs as they navigate complex global issues regarding conflict. It is expected that numerous resolutions are to be passed as students are excitedly preparing for the next three days of diplomacy. There is a feeling of hope coming into CLEIMUN18; and that hope was referenced by Mr. James Reid, Principal of St. Edward High School. “I happen to believe that the possible future diplomat who may negotiate that [world]
peace- is sitting in the very auditorium,” he shares as he welcomes the delegates and thanks the Cleveland Council of World Affairs.
So, as the Opening Ceremony has come and gone, that feeling of hope and excitement of the future remains. If you were to ask anyone attending CLEIMUN18 they would tell you that great things are to come out of this conference. Students are already beginning to work tirelessly to pass resolutions and to create a world in which diplomacy reigns supreme over violence. CLEIMUN18 is shaping up to be a unique and multicultural experience. As CLEIMUN director, Mr. Michael Perrins put it, “we celebrate that diversity and that multinational experience,” and finally adding, “don’t forget, M-U-N is F-U-N.” We could not agree more, Mr. Perrins, and we look forward to the resolutions that come out of this year’s conference.
