Royal Holloway, University of London : Department of Politics and International Relations

Department of Politics and International Relations

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The Politics and International Relations Society, founded in 2004, is the Department's very own student-run organisation. The PIRSoc organises debates, guest speakers from the political world, trips abroad and social occasions. Each student in the department is invited to become a member of PIRSoc.

The PIRSoc is a an extremely active, student-run academic society. It comprises of six enthusiastic executives, who are dedicated to promoting various intellectually-stimulating opportunities for all PIRSoc members and to create a strong community bond between them. This year the PIRSoc is continuing to organize the annual NMUN trip to New York and will be selecting a delegation to participate in the world's largest NMUN Conference at the UN Headquarters. This is a unique opportunity for all those interested in worldwide affairs to develop skills such as diplomacy, public speaking, negotiating, and resolution-writing whilst meeting people from all over the world. Such experience is particularly useful and relevant to students of Politics and International Relations with a desire to become better global citizens and develop a better understanding of contemporary international issues. The PIRSoc also directs its focus towards creating exciting academic and social events such as, trips to the UK Houses of Parliament, the EU Parliament and Commission, cinematic forums, attention-grabbing guest speakers such as the Foreign Minister from Serbia, George Gallaway and BBC Journalists for careers events, as well as socials such as the Politics Dinner. The PIRSoc is a unique society for those willing to discover and with an enthusiasm for participating in student life

PIR Society Committee Members 2011/12

President: Munira Elmi
Treasurer: Rebecca Schrod
Secretary: Sophie Crockett-Chaves
National Model UN Officer: Alfie Jones
Academic Events Coordinator: Carmen de Jong
Volunteering Officer/Social Events: Tiana Mina

The PIRSoc has a continuing tradition of organising the delegation for NMUN at the UN Headquarters. In this conference 4,000 students world-wide participate in the forum which is closely modeled to develop diplomatic skills, negotiating and resolution writing. This is a once in a life time opportunity for students to be involved in contemporary international issues. In addition to this, for a couple of days students can become real diplomats from particular country and make certain decisions which affect international affairs.

Success in the past:

The NMUN delegation in 2008 represented Colombia and received an Honourable Mention award which is one of the greatest achievements of the PIRSoc so far.

The 2009 delegation headed by the president Seiji Nishio represented Algeria and was the largest team ever taken by the PIRSoc. Two of the delegates - Yvonne Jeffery and Philip Marsh - this year won an Outstanding Delegation award which is the highest type of award given at the NMUN conference. They represented the Russian Federation in the additional Security Council committee. More...

In 2010 an 18-student delegation from Royal Holloway represented Republic of Mauritius in the conference and received the Honorable Mention award. More...

In 2011 a 22-student delegation from Royal Holloway represented Zambia in the conference and was awarded the highly acclaimed Distinguished Delegation award. More...

The PIRSoc committee 2011-12 will be recruiting new delegates in the Autumn term. The dates for the NMUN conference are 1-5 April 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel, New York. http://www.nmun.org/