UN Study Tour April 2006
In Diplomatic Mission – Exploring the United Nations
After 10 hours on a plane and a few hours of sleep, a brief look outside the window on the morning of April 6 confirmed what we had been looking forward to for almost six months: we were in New York City! But of course we were not out to explore the city as normal tourists; we were there on “business”, or one could call it a “diplomatic mission”. Waking up after a friendly wakeup call from the Head Delegates, slipping into a suit, catching the rest of the delegation in the hotel lobby and quickly grabbing the NMUN power breakfast (bagel, cream cheese, coffee) would be our usual routine for the next week.
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Even though we looked no different than the businessmen in the streets of Midtown Manhattan, we were headed to a different destination: the UN Headquarters. Three days of briefings in the heart of international diplomacy awaited us, and it was hard to contain our excitement about getting a chance to visit this famous building during our UN Study Tour.At the beginning was a guided tour through the building, where we managed to completely confuse our tour guide by declaring the gift of the UAE to the UN, the model of an ancient windtower, in former times used as “air conditioning”, the main attraction of the building. Who cares about the Security Council anyway? |
After visiting the official council chambers, we found the nucleus of international diplomacy in the basement: the “Viennese Café” was always crowded as we mingled among the UN staff, ambassadors, and guests that were enjoying their coffee break. Another highlight which the normal guided tours for tourists do not include is the UN’s cafeteria with a spectacular view over the East River and great food from all over the globe. Judging from the mix of all kinds of languages that could be heard it is certainly the most international place in the most international city on earth.
| Besides discovering the architecture and international atmosphere of the Headquarters, the days of the Study Tour revolved around the briefings. UN staff members, diplomats and experts took the time out of their working day to talk about topics such as Women’s Rights, Disarmament, Terrorism, and UN Reform. Even though we sat in the UN all day long, it was impossible to get bored. In the evening, most of us were already looking forward to starting the next morning “New York style” and returning to the UN. |
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Tim Nover
Programme
6 April 2006
09.30 – 10.30 h Guided Tour
10.45 – 11.45 h Secretariat Briefing on the UN in the New Millennium – Patricia Seghers
12.00 – 13.00 h Secretariat Briefing on Disarmament – Nikolai Rogosaroff
13.00 – 14.30 h Lunch Break
14.45 – 15.45 h Secretariat Briefing on Humanitarian Affairs – Stephanie Bunker
16.00 – 17.00 h Secretariat Briefing on Peacekeeping –
Stadler Trengove
7 April 2006
09.45 – 10.45 h Secretariat Briefing on Refugees – Dr. Mike McBride
10.45 – 11.45 h Secretariat Briefing on NGOs – Sol Oca
12.00 – 13.00 h Secretariat Briefing on Human Rights – Giorgia Passarelli
13.00 – 14.15 h Lunch Break
14.30 – 15.30 h Secretariat Briefing on Sanctions – Tatiana Cosio
15.30 – 16.30 h Secretariat Briefing on Iraq – Hamid Abdeljaber
10 April 2006
09.45 – 10.45 h Secretariat Briefing on Economic Development – Matthias Kempf
10.45 – 11.45 h Secretariat Briefing on Human Trafficking – Luca Dall’Oglio
12.00 – 13.00 h Secretariat Briefing on Women’s Issues – Christine Brautigam
13.00 – 14.15 h Lunch Break
14.30 – 15.30 h Secretariat Briefing on Reform – Peter Smith
15.30 – 16.30 h Secretariat Briefing on Terrorism – Janos Tisovsky
11 April 2006
09.30 – 11.00 h Delegation of the European Commission to the United Nations –
Dominic Porter
14.30 – 15.30 h Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations –
Katja Wiesbrock
12 April 2006
12.00 – 13.30 h Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates
to the United Nations – Muhammad al-Otaiba