HSE University-St Petersburg Holds Sixth Conference 'HSEIMUN'
In April, HSE University-St Petersburg held the conference 'HSEIMUN 2024'. This year, it gathered more than 100 delegates from among university and school students from Russia and Kazakhstan. The most active participants received souvenirs. Check out how the event went in the article.
The conference has taken place at HSE University-St Petersburg for the sixth time. The format of the event suggests the participants simulating the activities of the UN committees while representing various countries and offering draft decisions to global challenges.
The conference started with the opening speeches by Alexander Sorokin, Dean of the St Petersburg School of Social Sciences, and Aleksei Sorbale, Academic Supervisor of the Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics'. Prof Sorbale also delivered a lecture about the modern research methods which can be used to analyse international relations.
The work of the conference was held in six committees in English. The main conference topic was 'Collective Security for the Challenging Future'. The delegates discussed the challenges of international development in the Middle East and Latin America. Besides, the delegates have adopted several resolutions covering the development of space, in particular, the problem of the proliferation of space debris and the regulation of commercial space flights.
The event gathered university and school students from five cities: St Petersburg, Moscow, Kaliningrad, Izhevsk and Aktobe (Kazakhstan). As a result, the HSEIMUN organisers chose the best delegates in each committee and awarded them prizes. Among the winners are:
— Habiba Abdelgelil, HSE University-St Petersburg;
— Victoria Baturina, HSE University-St Petersburg;
— Ilya Vasilenko, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University;
— Egor Voikin, the Russian Gymnasium affiliated with the State Russian Museum;
— Daniil Goncharenko, HSE University-St Petersburg;
— Timur Zubkov, HSE University-St Petersburg;
— Kseniia Ivanova, HSE University-St Petersburg;
— Yuliana Ilina, Deutsche Schule Moskau;
— Vladislav Ovcharenko, HSE University-St Petersburg;
— Artem Pakhomov, HSE University-St Petersburg;
— Kristina Saverskaya, HSE University-St Petersburg.
Georgy Melduts
Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics', HSE University-St Petersburg
In the first place, HSE University International Model United Nations is an experience of self-discipline and formal communication during the working procedure of committees of the General Assembly and the Security Council. It allows political science students and experts in international relations not only to actively delve into a quite complex and demanding simulation of the work of the main international organisation but also to make useful contacts with like-minded people and colleagues from other educational programmes of HSE or other universities.
For me, an extrovert, the Model became a safety valve in my studies and showed again the strengths of our Department of Political Science and International Affairs in organising and holding such events.
Yuliana Ilina
Deutsche Schule Moskau, Moscow
Such events as HSEIMUN are especially difficult to organise and hold. However, the event went smoothly, at the top level: all the guests had a great time and developed friendly relationships with each other. As for me, I have been participating in such events for quite a while, but HSEIMUN was unforgettable: it gave me new knowledge, increased my awareness of current global problems and helped to find like-minded people in St Petersburg to whom I can always turn. I am very grateful to everyone who participated in the event organisation and created an atmosphere full of cosiness.
Habiba Abdelgelil
Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics', HSE University-St Petersburg
I am studying Political Science at HSE University-St Petersburg. Earlier, I took part in the EU Model and the Arab League Model. This is why HSEIMUN was absolutely necessary for me. I learnt a lot thanks to this event: these were three days of experience, knowledge and communication. The conference went amazingly, and the debates at the General Assembly were simply unforgettable! Thanks to the wonderful team who created this conference for us.
Vladimir Chagai
Nazarbayev Intellectual School, Kazakhstan
For me, a person who loves attention, HSEIMUN became a platform to test my abilities. During the conference, I was sure that I would take first place even though I missed the first day but alas. What am I not satisfied with? Only myself: the fact that I didn't participate more actively.
Alina Museeva
Master's programme 'Global and Regional History', HSE University-St Petersburg
It was my first time as a manager of HSEIMUN, though I knew how to organise such events. For my part, I will say only one thing: the role of a committee chair teaches a person to control the situation while following the declared rules of procedure. It is a truly useful skill which can enhance your flexibility in stressful situations. I recommend everyone to try it!