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Mock UN provides persepctive continued from p.12 the one-day event to collaborate and discuss global topics in a formal environment. Students debated worldwide issues in an intellectual setting, while promoting global awareness and knowledge about the UN. They took part in discussions on four committees -- General Assembly, World Health Organization, Human Rights Council and the UN Children' s Fund - and used formal procedures and terminology to converse in a diplomatic and collaborative manner to find resolutions through alliances and negotiations. During the three sessions, each committee discussed and found a resolution to their topics, which ranged broad themes to current events. Sohaib Aziz, 17-year-old Grade 12 student, represented Spain in the General Assembly, which dealt with eco- and socio-political issues such as mass surveillance and oil and gas. A Saudi Arabia delegate on the Human Rights Council in 2016, Aziz said this year' s event was "much more competitive," but found he had increased confidence in public speaking thanks to the event because "you're on such a big stage." "You're in the public, so you have to have the confidence to speak (on topics) you believe in. It has taught me a lot," said Aziz. "W hat I always learn from this is there are different perspectives, especially when it comes to resolution writing. Everyone has a different perspective." Regarding mass surveillance, Spain wants to avoid it, if possible, because it violates the human rights of its residents, Aziz said. Spain has a mixed reaction to oil and gas use since 50 per cent of its energy production last year was renewable, which was a "pretty big milestone" in Europe, but now it is considering the former source after a recent discovery of oil deposits, he explained. "It recently found oil deposits, a lot of them, which could generate a lot of income. It found around two billion barrels," said Aziz. "That is sort of controversial because Spain is not supposed to move towards oil and gas." Because there were schools participating from as far as Brantford, Ont., co-ordinating the conference requires a lot of preparation work, beginning in October 2016, says Danielle Lysak, 17, one of the Secretary Generals. "We're really impressed with how we're able to pull together lots of loose ends. There are lots of things going on up until the event. We're able to really come together at the end and make sure we're getting stuff done," Lysak told the Oakville Beaver at lunch break. "The delegates seemed really enthusiastic about the opening ceremony. I'm really happy with the day." Fellow Secretary General Gabriella Hu, 18, said the event is strategically-structured so students from various Halton social clubs can meet each other, learn different aspects of the world' s most important issues and acquire debating skills. 27 |Thursday, April 6, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com rAMWZING] RESULTS! Hamilton Burlington | Oakville