GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS
UN DAY
Since 2009, GIMUN has collaborated every year with the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva to organise UN Day around the time of the anniversary in October as well as in Spring. Each year, about 100 participants with all kinds of cultural and social backgrounds come to the Palais des Nations in Geneva to get to know the UN and to participate in interesting debates about current issues.
What is UN Day?
The anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It has traditionally been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the Organization. In 1971, the General Assembly recommended that Member States observe it as a public holiday.
Since 2009, GIMUN has collaborated every year with the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva to organize UN Day around the time of the anniversary. Each year, about 100 participants with all kinds of cultural and social backgrounds come to the Palais des Nations in Geneva to get to know the UN and to participate in interesting debates about current issues.
The event gives young people a platform to express their visions regarding a selected topic under an overarching theme that changes every year. The panel discussions are led by experts in their respective fields.
The event is bilingual and every participant has the chance to take part in one of four panels, two of which are held in French and two where English is spoken.
UN DAY 2022
Theme: Modern Humanitarian Crises: Between Fetishization and Indifference
UN Day 2022 took place on the 24th of October 2022 at the Palais des Nations with a morning and afternoon sessions on the theme of "Modern Humanitarian Crises: Between Fetishization and Indifference".
With this theme our goal was to highlight the contrasting treatment between different humanitarian crises across the globe.
While many of the conflicts and crises we see today share fundamental attributes and features, the way they are addressed on the international level can be incredibly different. Topics such as interventions, migration, monetary aid, and media operations can present completely contrasting views on crises that are similar in nature. What is the root of the problem in different treatments? How can we defend equal treatment on the international scene?
Our objective throughout this MUN style debate was to shed light on the situation, and to see what representatives from various countries had to say. Additionally there were speeches from experts in the field highlighting the current state of affairs.