Recap of Day One - November 10, 2007.

SAMUN started on Saturday, November 10, at 8.00 a.m. when buses with delegates left the hotels and headed towards the CIC campus.

All the delegates and participants of the SAMUN XVIII arrived on campus 8.30 a.m., where they registered. Half an hour later they were all seated in the open air gymnasium where the Opening Ceremony (General Assembly) took place. The GA was opened by the CIC wind band, which entertained its audience with “On Broadway”, “Chesterfield,” and the “Star Wars” theme. The ambassadors then gave their speeches, welcomed the delegates from the different countries, and talked a little about the importance of the SAMUN experience.

Once the General Assembly finished, all the delegates and ambassadors moved to the CIC courtyard, where round tables that had been set up for the Roundtable Sessions. There, the delegates had the opportunity to talk with the ambassadors from Chile, India, Nigeria, United Kingdom, and the United States. Delegates were face-to-face with the ambassadors and were therefore able to ask them point-blank questions about the conflicts of the world.

After that, the ambassadors left, and the delegates had a short break. The general atmosphere in the CIC canteen was one of labor. The delegates prepared their work for what came next: the Opening Speeches.

Once the break was over, all the delegates moved once more to gymnasium and took their seats. The Opening Speeches started with Debora Van Roy, GA President. After she finished, she started calling the delegates of the countries in alphabetical order to deliver respective speeches. Other delegates could, if they wished, ask questions about matters raised that were in the speeches.

Lunch was served, and after a short break, the Opening Speeches continued and later on, delegates were sent to start the lobbying.

Pictures of the Opening Ceremony