＜2007年6月27日～29日＞
毎年、ＩＨＳが選択科目｢S & P Geography(Social & Political Geography)｣の授業の一環として参加しているモデル国連。関西の各地から英語教育に力を入れている学校が京都国際会議場に一同に会して英語だけ を使って本物の国連さながらに熱い議論をかわす、すばらしい3日間の会議です。それぞれの生徒がペアになって実際にある国の代表となって様々な問題に関し てディベートをします。
それでは引率教員Tony Walshと参加者の生徒の感想をどうぞ。
3年生 脇本 研都
今年のＭＵＮのトピックは｢児童労働｣と｢全ての子どもに教育を受けさせる｣ということの二つだった。僕はGeographyのクラスで世界のいろんなこ とを調べ、改めて日本は幸福な国だと思った。日本では児童労働のパーセンテージは限りなくゼロにちかく、ほとんどの子どもたちが学校に通うことができてい る。これは当然のことだと思われがちだが、決してそうではない。これほど裕福な国のほうがめずらしい。
ＭＵＮでは先進国も参加していれば、発展途上国も参加している。このような状況で、英語のみを使ってこれらの深刻な問題を討論しあうのは中々できないことだ。本当に内容が濃い3日間で、素晴らしい体験ができたと思う。
教員 Anthony Walsh
Seven students from geography class were fortunate to attend this year’s annual Model United Nations conference in Kyoto. The Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School organized the three-day event and with over one hundred and thirty participants involved. Our students proudly represented different regional blocks from around the world as delegates of the following countries: Eigo and Tsubasa (Bangladesh), Ani, Yuko and Tomohiro (Mauritius) as well as Kento and Akio (Peru).
This year’s agenda was child labor and universal primary education for all. Students were required to research the topic and present information by making a formal speech as well as negotiate with other student delegates in informal debates. Our members had the complicated task of learning the rules and procedures of how the United Nations operates and then they assisted in making resolutions, amendments to resolutions and most importantly how to find solutions that involve conflicting parties reaching a win/ win scenario. After going through this strenuous process the delegates voted on the proposed resolutions.
For all participants involved in the MUN conference this will be an experience they can benefit from in all areas of their personal and professional lives for as long as they live. I hope the experience can also help improve the quality of life for all the people involved as well as assist the chances of primary education for all, while decreasing the exploitation of child workers for people around the world.