Dear delegates,

Esteemed guests,

It is an exquisite honor of mine to welcome you all to the 9th annual University Edition of the Rhodes Model Regional Cooperation (RhodesMRC), which will be held for five unique days in October 10th-14th, 2018, in the majestic island of Rhodes.

Being organized on an annual basis since 2010 by the House of Europe in Rhodes, RhodesMRC has become a reputable simulation conference, widely known, both in Greece and abroad, for its high academic quality, perpetual innovation and excellence!

In recognition of its high rating standards, RhodesMRC has received several disticnctions and awards such as the support of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Thorbjørn Jagland for three consecutive years (2015, 2016, 2017), the official support of 18 foreign Embassies in Greece (2017-2018) as well as the aegis of the Secretary General of the Black-Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Ambassador Emeritus Michael Christidis for 2018. Last, but not least RhodesMRC has recently been in the joyful position to have also received the official support of  NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division for 2018.

This particular year, the overwhelming interest of participants has led to the expansion of RhodesMRC University Edition, with the addition of two new Commiittees that complement the mosaic of 11 institutions of international and regional cooperation, all interconnected in a common academic framework of interactive evolution. Our eleven committees are none other than:

  • The Ministerial Council of the OSCE – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
  • NATO’s North Atlantic Council
  • Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE)
  • Middle East Peace Conference (MEPC)
  • The Ministerial Council of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)
  • League of Arab States (LAS)
  • Organization of American States (OAS)
  • Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC)
  • African Union (AU)
  • Union for the Mediterrenean (UfM)
  • Council of the European Union (CoEU/EYCS)

Besides, the wide array of our committees is also embroiled by our pioneering Crisis that combines advanced technological applications and interactive scenarios breaking out in real time with various and complex effects focusing but not limiting to our four Crisis Committees (OSCE, NATO, MEPC & LAS). Meanwhile, RhodesMRC is  renowed for its stupendous social events that culminate the daily rapture and fun of MRC participants, who are always distinguished for their partying skills, too!

All in all, throughout the nine years of its history, RhodesMRC has offered its participants a rare chance for exchanging ideas, seeing the world from other perspectives, and working collaboratively towards a common future. Speaking of my own, I can assure you that I belong to that generation of participants, having the blessing to have seen RhodesMRC growing up and progressing, during the last five years that I have enjoyed its hospitality…I am confident that its best days are still ahead of us, and we can reach for them together!

On behalf of the Organizing Committee and the Secretariat of RhodesMRC, I cordially invite you to join us and share with us some rare moments of simulating the changing of the world.  Because as happens with all things in life, change is the prerequisite for amelioration!

Thank you very much for your time and attention. We are looking forward to see you in October in Rhodes.

Finest regards,

The Secretary General

Georgios Karanikas