United Nations Debate

One of our assignments was to prepare for a United Nations style debate, and there were 14 pairs, each assigned a country. Me and Hannah got Columbia. Now, Columbia is not the most advanced country in the world, nor is it the safest, but it seems to have a grip on most things, like disease and the economy is taking a turn for the better. Being a UN style debate, it was going to be tough, talking about the country and what its sustainable development goals are, and then being asked questions about what we have said or about the country itself. Preparing it was tough, we managed to work as a team and collect facts about the country but getting information about its sustainable development goals were a bit more tough, as they were all in Spanish, and me or Hannah not being able to speak any Spanish, were not able to translate. But we looked at the facts and figures and recognised what we think the goals would be. After talking with a few people in other groups, it surprised me on how much people recognise sustainable development across the world. Even LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries, for anyone who hates Human Geography and didnt pay attention in a-level) had some goals drawn up and put in place to help save the planet.

Throughout the whole debate, i was nervous, safe to say, but whilst i was listening to other groups, i was astonished to see what other countries had in place. For example, Denmark was at the cutting edge of agricultural farming and recycling, and had many goals in place, which in the end, lost them the money because they were way in the lead with Sustainable Development, but if that was me, i would have given them a little bit more money to develop more goals and put them into place to make it a very sustainable country. I honestly felt i had let Hannah down from being such a pillock standing in front of 27 people and talking a load of random facts, which somewhere, had goals in there. I felt bad because everyone else had prepared better and i wish that i could have done more of that, and prepared what i was going to say when. Nerves got the better of me, and i think it got to Hannah as well.

The UN debate i thought was quite fun, we need more activities like that to keep us going, it is better than just reading off a powerpoint and taking notes. Geography is all about getting out there and exploring the world and what the world is about. I would be happy to do another UN style debate if they would let us, and give us better countries (sorry faith and greg, you did do your best, which we appreciate). Also whilst listening to everyone talk about their countries, it gave me an insight into countries that i had never even heard of. Places like the Solomon Islands and Belize, these countries were new to me, but once the representatives talked about them, it helped me picture what life would be like there. The whole debate was great as it helped bring people together more and get to know each other more, and it also gives us more charisma as we have to stand up and present what we have found in front of 27 people and i thought it was good, even though i was nervous. Activities are all about getting together and learning more, without being bored and write notes. We need more of these and if they do happen, i think Geography would be much more fun, as well as educational.