Mensenares is ‘Best Delegate’ of Xavier’s first ever Model UN conference

Ateneo Senior High School’s United Nations organization recently sent a delegation of eight students to the first ever Xavier Model United Nations (XMUN) Conference. Five members of the Ateneo delegation received awards at the end of the event. Leading them was Garrick Mensenares of 11-Goupil, who received the conference’s top award, Best Delegate. (Participants were divided into four committees, each of which had an awardee for Best Delegate. Mensenares was the awardee of the General Assembly committee.) Ryan Magno of 12-Grodecky and Ralph Due of 12-Navarro both received the Honorable Mention award, while Julia Aspe of 12-Miki and Thirdy Pitero of 11-Hoyos both received the Verbal Commendation award.
 
The theme of the XMUN conference was, “Persons fully alive in the spirit of inclusivity and diplomacy.” XMUN was a simulation of the real United Nations, and allowed participants to engage in intensive debate and research to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. Among the topics discussed were poverty brought about by debt bondage, the reintegration of ex-convicts in society, the question of sovereignty over the Arctic Region, and the code of conduct in operating military bases abroad. 

The conference was held in Xavier School in San Juan City from August 31 to September 1, 2019, attracting 50 delegates from La Salle Greenhills, Xavier, Poveda, UPIS, and ASHS. The Ateneans were accompanied at XMUN by their org moderator, Mr. Josh Madarang.