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Polina Spartyanova

SOFIMUN conference is famous not only for the diversity of nationalities that it gathers for the weeklong event in the Bulgarian capital, but also for the fact that it attracts exceptionally talented young people. An example of this is 17-year-old Minoas Vitalis, a high school student who, despite his age, already has experience in participating in Model United Nations (MUN). Minoas is studying at the private Greek-French school Lycée Léonin de Patissia Athènes in Athens and he is planning to take part in the conference this summer for the second time. He is exceptionally ambitious, interested in history and politics, and wants to take the path of a true diplomat, representing his country to the rest of the world. Therefore, he would like to study international and European relations after graduating from high school. "I think the work of the United Nations is very important and the best way to become familiar with the activities of the organization for me is precisely through participating in MUNs," adds Minoas.
    Last year's sixth edition of SOFIMUN was the first in Bulgaria for Minoas after his several visits to Turkey and Greece. Thanks to the help of Manolis Batistakis, Secretary General of the conference in 2013, whom GRReporter has recently introduced to you, Minoas found out that his age of 16 years at that time would not be a problem for his participation and he would be even encouraged. After his successful candidature, he became a delegate from the United Kingdom of the Historical Security Council, in which he and a dozen of other participants discussed the issue of the Apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. "I was impressed by the tireless work and good organization. The high level of professionalism and the experience of chairman of my committee at the time and present Chief Secretary Mr. Jose Antonio Villena-Pepe further motivated me to take part in the event," says the young Greek.
    Recently Minoas was happy to learn that he would chair the Economic and Social Committee this year. The body is a driving force of the discussions on economic and social issues and is one of the main committees of the United Nations. The seventh edition of SOFIMUN will simulate discussions within the context of the Security Council and the Council of Human Rights.
    The committees give the participants freedom in the simulation: each council has two exemplary topics and a long list of countries from which each conference member can choose a delegate position. The Security Council will have the chance to discuss the need for the UN to intervene in the Crimean crisis or the specific role of the Council in controversial Syria. The delegates of the Human Rights Council will discuss the legality of placing restrictions on the wearing of different religious and cultural clothing. Their second exemplary topic relates to immigrants in the border areas of the Mediterranean, who are victims of human rights violations. The third body, namely, the Economic and Social Council, will propose a discussion on either the legalization of drugs in Latin America, or the economic exploitation of the Arctic.
    The discussions are extremely dynamic: if consensus on a topic cannot be reached, then it can be changed with another exemplary topic. On the other hand, the Chief Secretary may intervene in a debate to encourage the members to be more active or pay attention to a specific aspect of the historical, social and economic situation of the country represented by them. Often there are surprises during the conference, in the form of a crisis event that happens during the normal course of the discussions, and the Councils have to immediately respond to it, taking adequate decisions. These exercises allow SOFIMUN participants to experience what it means to be part of the UN, how the body works and what professionalism is required by each delegate in order for the balance in the world to be saved.
    The second deadline for enrolling in SOFIMUN will expire on 15 June. Then subsequently, each participant will have several weeks to prepare for his or her position by collecting sufficient information about the country represented by him or her, which, according to the rules of MUN should not be his or her native country.
    The seventh edition of SOFIMUN will begin on 26 July with the media support of GRReporter.info.