Resident Pigeons
…Is a multipurpose phrase. It refers to the cocky birds that parade around the streets of New York, taking up safe human spaces, out of their comfort zone, making the concrete arteries their own. They’re true New Yorkers. And we circumvent them, or have to, because “The pigeons live here, we don’t,” insists Matea, as we dodge people and potholes in regular intervals.
“Resident pigeons,” as we call them, are also the equally cocky delegates at the conference who insist on “holing” themselves up, with single-minded devotion, in their committee rooms, skipping every meal, every break (and possibly, every breath), to work on the resolutions that are to be up for voting. That would never happen in the real world, where diplomats realize the importance of rest and relaxation. As Hillary’s committee chair reminded them, “Please take your break. I don’t want you getting sick. After all, we’re the Pan American Health Organization.”
Speaking of real diplomats, our keynoter at the opening ceremony of the Conference at the actual United Nations General Assembly was none other than the Secretary General of the United Nations himself, Mr. Ban ki -moon. As we sat there in slack-jawed awe, Mr. Ki-moon was quick to indicate that a future Secretary-General of the United Nations needed to be “a woman.” It was a note worth taking, because in this era of Feminism and Gender Equality, a woman at the helm of the United Nations would be like a female President of the Universe, since we know of no other life-forms beside ourselves, and the United Nations is the closest thing to an unofficial universal government we have.
And as Guatemala, a small but pivotal figure in the American wing of this organization, we have an interesting part to play. As our mission briefing helped us understand, we are a transitioning nation that needs the world’s help, are also very proud of our capabilities and our potential. That sounds familiar, quite like a typical student at our college, I think. I mean, it’s not very hard to play a part when it’s ingrained in you, is it?