Fridays events: the final day

The bitter sweet moment came the morning of the last day when all delegates realized their newly formed relationships and connections would soon come to an abrupt halt. It was sad to realize that these spectacular people from all around the world would no longer congregate into a room filled with chairs, a large viewing screen, multiple languages spoken and placards flying around.  To focus on the soon to be broken ties with friends and relationships you had fostered over the last 5 days would throw you into depression.   I, as well as my fellow class mates and delegates, focused on making the most of the remaining time. We talked more, laughed more, and proposed more questions to delegates about their resolutions and made it our job to have the best last conference ever.

This conference had a spectacular closing ceremony, where the heads delegates for each country marched between the isles of seats waving their flag as drummers and dancers followed them. The closing ceremony was very enjoyable and one of the best I have ever seen.  I am glad to have had that experience. In addition to the conference, the Bullis group took a side trip to the Peace Palace, where countries could show their decorum by resolving their conflicts in an organized and polite forum at the International Court of Justice.  We saw a copy of Andrew Carnegie’s check for $1.5 million dollars which helped fund the building of the Peace Palace in the early 20th century. 

Lastly, but certainly not least, was the dance party at the end of the night to reward all delegates for their hard work. The dance was certainly the tone changer for the conference where everything became informal. Delegates now became “official” friends, dress code changed from formal suit and tie to jeans and t-shirts and lastly topics of conversation changed from the coherence of a resolution to your Facebook name.  The dance to some may be seen as insignificant, but for me, it’s when the connections between the people you know from half way around the world become concrete. From the tears shed, to the numbers being exchanged, this night most definitely topped off all the rest as I think the bitter sweet taste of the conference will stay in the mouths of our delegation for quite some time.

Idrienne Walker