The United Nations was the object of extensive commentary following the screening of the documentary “Sergio”

By Karla Astwood

“The Role of International Organizations” was the topic chosen by the organizers of the III Dominican Republic Global Film Festival for the opening session of the Festival’s panel and training sessions. The official opening of the Film Festival is on November 18th at the National Theater in Santo Domingo with a screening of “Touched.” 

But getting into the Festival mood, Manuel Vásquez Boidard, representative of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and Nathanael Concepción representing the Model United Nations (MUN) of the Association of United Nations of the Dominican Republic (UNA-RD), conducted a lively debate moderated by Sabrina Rivas, representative of the Youth Model UN.

Prior to the panel discussion, the documentary film “Sergio” was shown. The 94-minute film is based on the story on Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN Ambassador to Iraq killed when a bomb struck UN headquarters in Baghdad in 2003. Vieira de Mello is viewed as one of the best examples to follow in terms of human qualities and professional experience in the UN.   

Students from seven different high schools around Santo Domingo – USA School, Juan Pablo Duarte, Pan-American Union, Belisario Peguero Guerrero of the National Police, Republic of Paraguay and the Mauricio Baez School – filled the seats of the Eduardo Brito Hall to see the film and take part in the panel.
After introducing their organizations and the work they do in them, including fascinating anecdotes, Boidard and Concepción took up the topic at hand.  Boidard said he identified with Sergio de Mello from the point of view of a person who has to travel and work in another country, adapt to the changes and understand and listen to the inhabitants of the new place. “Humility is very important,” he said.

Nathanel Concepción encouraged the young people in the audience not to just keep the image of the documentary in their minds but to follow Vieira de Mello’s example, helping out where ever and whenever it is needed. “You can make a difference and in your schools, in your communities,” Concepción said.

Follow the Festival activities on the panel

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