Between crises and compromises – our students at the SVeN at Haus Rissen. On 20 and 21 November, it was that time again: a team of dedicated students from our school, accompanied by our teachers Maximillian von Holten and Michael Schmitt, once again took part in the SVeN – Simulation of the United Nations at Haus Rissen in Hamburg. For many, it was not just a simulation game, but a journey into new political worlds – with heated debates, unexpected alliances and a good dose of emotion.
What exactly is SVeN? SVeN stands for Simulation of the United Nations. It is run by HAUS RISSEN, an independent political education institute in Hamburg. Young people aged 15 and above are invited to take on the roles of UN delegates and simulate real UN bodies – specifically the Human Rights Council and the Economic and Social Council.
The project is financed entirely by donations and third-party funds, so participation is free of charge for the students. SVeN is led by a highly professional team that works with realistic rules of procedure based on the actual rules of procedure of the United Nations.
Preparation and procedure. Our group prepared intensively in the days leading up to the simulation – with position papers, negotiation strategies and speeches. On the simulation days themselves, the delegates negotiated issues relating to children's rights, such as girls' rights and compulsory education – just as they would at real UN conferences.
‘In a very short time, my self-confidence has grown enormously thanks to my role as a delegate.’ – This is how one student aptly summed up her experience.
‘You learn how democracy happens not only in the classroom, but also internationally – it gave me goosebumps.’ – A quote that shows the emotional depth of the simulation.
‘It was incredible to see how our delegations built a coalition – in the end, they had formulated genuine compromises that they could be proud of. For me, SVeN is an absolute highlight of the school year – this kind of learning cannot be replaced by mere lectures.’
The participants are overwhelmingly enthusiastic: engaging with other perspectives, strategic negotiation and creative approaches to complex issues not only promote political knowledge, but also personal development. The above quotes show that SVeN inspires, encourages and challenges!
A look at the big picture. The value of the project is also demonstrated by the external support it receives: SVeN is under the patronage of Katharina Fegebank, the Deputy Mayor of Hamburg. And the political and educational benefits are also enormous: according to the State Agency for Political Education, SVeN strengthens democratic skills such as communication, compromise and self-efficacy.
A rich conclusion – with humour and heart. The simulation is much more than a role-playing game: for our students, it was an emotional rollercoaster ride. Between heated debates about girls' rights, motions, speaking breaks and unexpected alliances, they not only learned to formulate arguments – they learned to listen, build bridges and take responsibility.
And by the way: some of us enjoyed the negotiations so much that they joked, ‘Becoming a diplomat is cool – but please let's not have to pass resolutions all the time!’
For our school community, one thing is certain: SVeN is a great opportunity – and we are already looking forward to the next round!
