Liceu organizes the 5th edition of MadeiraMUN at the Legislative Assembly

Realizou-se, na passada segunda-feira, 22 de abril, a 5ª edição do MadeiraMUN, na casa da democracia, a Assembleia Legislativa da Região Autónoma da Madeira. Durante um dia, quarenta e dois alunos de cinco escolas da região debateram a problemática da educação enquanto direito universal.

The event was organized by the Youth Parliament program from Escola Secundária Jaime Moniz. Students from Escola Secundária Francisco Franco, Escola Básica e Secundária de Machico, Escola Básica e Secundária da Ponta do Sol, Escola Complementar do Til – Apel and the school responsible for organizing the event, Escola Secundária Jaime Moniz, were present for the debate.

The President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, José Manuel Rodrigues, praised, in the opening session over which he presided, the choice of the topic, due to its relevance and actuality. The president of Escola Secundária Jaime Moniz, Ana Isabel Freitas, in her opening speech, also highlighted the importance of Education for the development not only of the Human Being as an individual being, but also, and consequently, of the world in general. Quoting António Damásio, “if there is no massive education, human beings will kill each other”, Ana Isabel Freitas reflected on the depth and doubts of the neurobiological researcher's statement. After bringing together other reflections from scholars, the president of the ESJM executive board declared: “A massive education must be an integrative, quality education that prepares everyone to respond to the challenges of an uncertain future”. Furthermore, responding to the concerns raised by researchers, she argued that “education must stimulate the capacity for reflection, critical thinking, point out ways so that we do not accept the given as certain, without questioning, so that we do not consider the false as true, with a view to acquiring a more objective view of reality, which allows “to appreciate what other human beings are” (Damasio). Let us believe that quality education is capable of changing a person and, through it, changing the world, helping to build better relationships”.

Throughout the day, the students, Delegates from countries with a seat at the United Nations, presented and debated several motions related to the theme of Education as a fundamental right, namely access to education for minorities, access to quality in education, among others.

Once again, students had the opportunity to broaden their vision of the world and their knowledge regarding international relations and the role of the UN, leading to the development of their critical spirit, their social awareness, as well as the so-called important soft skills. MUN aims to educate its participants regarding civic issues, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy, and this objective has clearly been achieved.

In the closing session, the Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Technology, Jorge Carvalho, alerted the student delegates to the fact that access to education is a problem that affects us all, and it is therefore essential that we all get involved in their discussion, especially the younger generations.

At the end of the debate, the award for best delegate was awarded to the student from Escola Básica e Secundária de Machico, José Guilherme Malaca Pereira, delegate from Nigeria, for his stance and the relevance of his interventions. The Bernardo Flor Rodrigues Social Awareness Award was, this year, awarded to the student from Escola Básica e Secundária da Ponta do Sol, Lara Carolina Gomes e Gomes, who represented Niger.