Moot Courts & MUNs

During my fourth year of studies at, together with my co-peers, we represented the university in the 2018-2019 European Human Rights Moot Court Competition (EHRMCC), which was organized by the European Law Student Association (ELSA) and the Council of Europe. Our team of four, team 72, managed to have the 3rd best score in the Written Round and was one of the 20 best teams out of 106 registered that qualified for the Final Oral Round. This moot court was a unique opportunity to gain practical experience compared to a real pleading in front of the European Court of Human Rights. Conducting research in the Court’s case law and respected literature provided me with in-depth knowledge of the European Convention on human rights principles, its implementation, and current human rights issues. Delivering arguments in front of panels of judges and professionals in the human rights field, as well as debating against driven law students from across Europe, enriched my advocacy, legal research, and legal writing skills. Spending hours with my co-counsels preparing written submissions, cross-examining each other’s arguments in mock sessions, and assisting each other during the real pleadings, solidified our commitment to the team effort. Being in the actual Council of Europe and European Court of Human Rights buildings was inspiring. Attending the competition’s receptions and social events with the other participants, human rights experts, excellencies and representations, the organizing committee, and ELSA’s international team, I had the opportunity to participate in discussions and the opening of dialogue between different nationalities. This moot court competition aim is best described by ELSA’s vision: “A just world where human dignity and cultural diversity are respected”.

Wanting to engage in comparative law and acquire an understanding of different law regimes οn an international level, I attended the 2018 European Private Law Summer School in Salzburg along with 11 of my co-students and Professor Kaliroi Pantelidou who represented Democritus University of Thrace. During the two-week program, more than 40 professors from around the world and several justices represented more than 30 different legal systems. Joining the daily round tables and debates on law and language, legal transplants, and the harmonization of law, I realized how indispensable law is to international society and how it can be understood despite cultural differences or language barriers. Participating in the workshops, where case studies were discussed, provided me with a practical understanding of the differences between legal systems and how certain facts may or may not result in different outcomes. Most importantly, this two-week summer school served as a starting point for long-lasting friendships between diverse yet like-minded people from all over the world.

After my participation in the 2014 and 2015 AMUN in high school, the Model UN tradition followed me to law school, when in my first year of studies, I attended the 2016 Thessaloniki International Student Model United Nations (ThessISMUN)  conference as a delegate of Argentina in the Economic and Social Council. 

Being a member of the Democritus University of Thrace MUN team, I was excited to be a part of this renowned and oldest MUN conference in Greece. The experience of participating in MUN Conferences during my university years was a significant step up from my high school MUN experiences. The level of research, critical thinking, and public speaking skills required were much higher, which further honed my abilities and pushed me to grow my research and diplomacy. 

The ΤhessISMUN has a rich history, having been created in 2002 by Dr. Paroula Naskou-Perraki and Mrs. Mirka Gondika. Over the years, it has become one of the most highly regarded MUN conferences in Europe, attracting more than 450 delegates from around the world. The university was even honored with the title of "Friend of the United Nations - FUN" by the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Europe, which made the experience even more meaningful.

My Model UN journey started when I participated in the 2014 Athens Model United Nations (AMUN) conference as a delegate representing Chile in the Social Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (SHCC). The following year, I was honored to be selected as the Chair of the same Committee, through an interview process, by the AMUN Organizing Team. 

Being an Officer at a Model UN conference was a position of great responsibility, as one's performance shapes the overall image of the conference and the MUN experience for the participating delegates. The role demanded not only preparation and enthusiasm but also a balanced and impartial attitude. I cherish the memories of the debates, where I got to interact with students who shared my interests and perspectives, and I was impressed by the level of engagement and diplomacy displayed by the delegates. 

Model UN conferences not only provide me a platform to develop leadership and public speaking skills, but also teach students about the United Nations and its committees, and their tireless efforts towards promoting peace, justice, and equality worldwide. I am grateful to have been part of this educational and meaningful project, and I am proud to have had the privilege of serving as a Student Officer.

I found my passion for international law and human rights at the age of 17 while participating in the Social Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (SHCC) of the 2014 Athens Model United Nations (ΑMUN) conference as a Delegate and Ambassador of Chile. The AMUN is a three-day simulation of the United Nations where senior high school students can represent a country or organization in various UN forums such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the Security Council. 

Through this experience, I was able to delve into world issues and gain a deeper understanding of international diplomacy. AMUN has given me a stimulus to explore and cultivate my interest in international law and human rights. I am grateful for this experience and the students I interacted with, and shared my passion for debating global issues.