Official Call for Applications, RhodesMRC 2018

Rhodes Model Regional Co-operation or RhodesMRC, the conference that brought to the international academic community simulations of the Union of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea Economic Co-operation, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the League of Arab States, the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation or the Organization of American States, along with simulations of the EuroAtlantic Partnership Council or the North Atlantic Council of NATO and the Council of Europe, returns, for its 9th edition, aiming to bring in Rhodes more than 700 high school students, university undergraduates, young scientists and professionals, for the most satisfying conference experience.

The 9th RhodesMRC 2018 will take place in Rhodes, Greece, October 10-14, 2018, for the university edition – open to both students and graduates -, and November 08-11, 2018, for the high school level.

Students, young scientists of law, political science or international relations and diplomats, or just international relations “fans”, gather together in Rhodes every year to simulate the works of the organs and committees of a series regional international organizations, gaining valuable experience on negotiations and resolution making, while specializing to demanding topics focused on specific regions of the planet.

For its academic innovation and unique nature, RhodesMRC has received various recognitions:

  • the patronage of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Co-operation and the Secretary General of its PERMIS, Ambassador Michael B. Christides, for 2018;
  • the patronage of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland, for 2015, 2016 and 2017;
  • the official support of 18 Embassies and Foreign Missions in Athens for 2017, under the initiative RhodesMRC Embassy Program; for 2018, already 6 Embassies have renewed their support;
  • the official support of the United Nations Regional Information Center for Western Europe, for 2017;
  • its inclusion to the official calendar of 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, as celebrated by the World Tourism Organization, being a fine example of academic tourism and an incubator of young travelers that learn to cherish diversity and respect cultural heritage;
  • distinction as one of the top projects for European Youth in 2013 by the Nantes Creative Generations program in France;
  • being the cornerstone of the House of Europe in Rhodes award by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, in 2012.

At our conference’s core, is our motto: “Towards effective peacebuilding and sustainable development on a regional level”. The organizations picked to be simulated and the topics selected to be discussed are always inspired by this central directive, and, from 2017 onwards, RhodesMRC honors and has committed itself to the accomplishment of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, as set by the United Nations, making the conference indeed relatable with modern challenges while focusing in the various regions, where regional co-operation is indeed a tangible reality.

RhodesMRC 2018 is being organized by the House of Europe in Rhodes. The Region of South Aegean, the City of Rhodes, the Dept. of Mediterranean Studies of the University of the Aegean, and the European Network for Education and Training, e.V. – EUNET serve as organizing partners. The International Center for Black Sea Studies, the Center of International and European Studies of Kadir-Has University and the Institute of European Integration and Policy serve as academic partners, while RhodesMRC is strongly affiliated with similar conferences in Greece and abroad, like ThessISMUN.

A highly-experienced Organizing Committee oversees all aspects of running such a demanding task, securing that the overall experience of the RhodesMRC participants will be the best possible, combining a fine academic exercise with the various cultural and historical offerings of Rhodes, including its Medieval City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The conference takes place inside historical buildings and venues in Rhodes historical center, ensuring the participants take the most of the local experience while the city itself is being revitalized with the hundreds of aspiring young diplomats conquering every corner. An experience already enjoyed by more than 1600 people from 24 countries.

A Scientific Committee of 23 professors, academians and experts from 11 universities from 4 countries are supervising the simulation preparation that will be run by a skilled Board of young scientists, students and professionals.

 

University Edition

RhodesMRC 2018 will be the 9th University Edition of the Rhodes Model Regional Co-operation and will include the simulations of:

  • Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
  • NATO’s North Atlantic Council (dual delegation)
  • Council of Europe
  • a Middle East Peace Conference (crisis committee)
  • Black Sea Economic Co-operation
  • League of Arab Nations
  • Organization of American States
  • Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and
  • African Union

As per last year, the crisis that will be launched in the Middle East Peace Conference will expand to NATO, OSCE and the Arab League, offering a conference-wide event. Our tested digital platform, now enhanced, will foster committee-to-committee interaction, secure communication within a country’s delegation and a diplomatic experience like no other.

Fees

The fees are set to 75,00€ per person and include: the Participant’s Kit, the Certificate, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, incl. their receptions, all lunches and coffee breaks offered during sessions, as described in the official program. Discounted fees periods are offered, on a fully prepaid, non-refundable basis, for fees as low as 65€.

 Official Program

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018

12:00-18:00 – Registration

Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

10:00-18:00 – Registration

20:00-22:00 – Opening Ceremony (gates open: 19:30) followed by the Welcome Reception

Thursday, October 11th, 2018

09:00-18:00 – Sessions (including a Coffee Break and a Lunch Break)

Friday, October 12th, 2018

09:00-18:00 – Sessions (including a Coffee Break and a Lunch Break)

Saturday, October 13th, 2018

09:00-14:00 – Sessions (including a Coffee Break)

19:00-19:00 – Closing Ceremony (gates open: 18:30) followed by the Farewell Reception

Sunday, October 14th, 2018

Excursion to Kallithea Springs and Lindos (extra charges applies).

The program is subject to changes. Venues and the social program will be announced in due time.

 

Accommodation

The Organizing Committee of RhodesMRC partners with hotels within walking distance off the conference venues in order to secure low-cost quality accommodation for as low as 36 euros per double room per night, incl. breakfast, free Wi-Fi and all taxes.

Since 01/01/2018, an extra overnight tax is applied to all stays, which varies depending the classification of the hotel. The extra overnight tax is not included at the hotel bill and room price and is charged and collected separately.

 

Important dates for the University Edition

05/03 – 30/04/2018: Early Bird Registration Period – Fees at 65€ (Group and Individuals)

01/05 – 30/06/2018: Special Offer Registration Period – Fees at 70€ (Group and Individuals)

01/07 – 31/07/2018: Normal Registration – Fees at 75€  (Individuals)

15/07/2018: First Committee and Country Assignment Round

15/08/2018: Final Committee and Country Assignment Round

 

More information on the University Edition, at our dedicated website: www.rhodesmrc.org/2018

 

 

High School Edition

The High School edition of RhodesMRC, the 6th of its kind, welcomes students and schools from all over the world. After a record breaking year, our high school edition will include four simulated committees, ready to host more than 180 students, from grades 9 to 12. For the second consecutive, the High School Edition is an approved extra-curricular event by the Greek Ministry of Education.

 

The simulated committees for the High School Edition will be:

  • Council of Europe – Democracy & Human Rights
  • Council of Europe – Education
  • The European Council of the European Union
  • Our Planet Summit – An ad hoc summit on the environment

 

Fees

The fees are set to 65,00€ per person and include: the Participant’s Kit, the Certificate, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, incl. their receptions, all lunches and coffee breaks offered during sessions, as described in the official program. Discounted fees periods are offered, on a fully prepaid, non-refundable basis, for fees as low as 50€.

 

Official Program

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

11:00-12:00 – Registration

12:00-13:00 – Team Building and Rules of Procedure Study

19:00 – Opening Ceremony (gates open: 18:30) followed by the Welcome Reception

Friday, November 9th, 2018

09:00-17:30 – Sessions (including a Coffee Break and a Lunch Break)

Saturday, November 10th, 2018

09:00-17:30 – Sessions (including a Coffee Break and a Lunch Break)

Sunday, November 11th, 2017

11:00-13:00 – Closing Ceremony (gates open: 18:30) followed by the Farewell reception

13:00-15:00 – Walking Tour at the Medieval City of Rhodes

The program is subject to changes. Venues and the social program will be announced in due time.

 

Accommodation

The Organizing Committee of RhodesMRC partners with hotels within walking distance off the conference venues in order to secure low-cost quality accommodation for as low as 36 euros per double room per night, incl. breakfast, free Wi-Fi and all taxes.

Since 01/01/2018, an extra overnight tax is applied to all stays, which varies depending the classification of the hotel. The extra overnight tax is not included at the hotel bill and room price and is charged and collected separately.

 

Important dates for the High School Edition

01/05 – 30/06/2018: Early Bird Registration Period (Group and Individuals)

01/07 – 17/08/2018: Special Offer Registration Period (Group and Individuals)

17/08 – 05/10/2018: Normal Registration Period (Group and Individuals)

31/08/2018: First Committee and Country Assignment Round

18/10/2018: Final Committee and Country Assignment Round

 

More information on the High School Edition, at our dedicated website: https://rhodesmrc.org/2018-high-school/

 

 

Academy

Further information on the RhodesMRC Academy will be announced soon. The online courses of the Academy are scheduled for May 11-13, 2018, with a possibility of new dates to be announced.

 

 

Contact information

The official website of Rhodes Model Regional Co-operation is www.rhodesmrc.org

For general inquiries, you may reach us at contact@rhodesmrc.org

For applications, you may reach us at applications@rhodesmrc.org

For anything else, related to the RhodesMRC 2018 edition, you may reach our Support Center at rhodesmrc2018@rhodesmrc.org.