The Politics and International Relations Society, founded in 2004, is the Department's very own student-run organisation. Affiliated with Royal Holloway's Students' Union, 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 organise the 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 Houses of Parliament, cinematic forums, attention-grabbing guest speakers and socials such as Politics Dinner. The PIRSoc is a unique society for those willing to discover and with an enthusiasm for participating in student life" (Monika Milinauskyte, the PIRSoc President 2009-10).

 

PIR Society Executives 2009/10

The President  - Monika Milinauskyte, BA Politics and International Relations

The Treasurer - Kashif Hussain, BA Politics and International Relations

The Secretary - Yvonne Jeffery, BA Politics and INternational Relations

The NMUN Officer - Kieran Miles, BA Philosophy, Politics and International Relations

The Academic Events Coordinator - Rebecca Chappell, BA Politics and International Relations

The Social Events Coordinator - Alexandra Wathen, BA Politics and International Relations

 

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.

This year's 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...

The PIRSoc committee 2009-10 will be recruiting new delegates in the Autumn term. The dates for the NMUN conference is March 28th - April 1st 2010 at the Sheraton Hotel, New York. http://www.nmun.org/

 

Upcoming Events:

The PIRSoc in the forthcoming year shall be organising educational trip to UK Parliament, cinematic forums, inviting various guest speakers, holding a 'Politics Week' and having lots of socials.

The PIRSoc is a creative, academic society open to everyone who is enthusiastic, passionate about world-wide affairs and willing to discover new areas.

The PIRSoc at the moment is looking for a support and sponsorship to help motivated students to cover expenses while taking part at the NMUN. The delegates have to cover all expenses themselves, including NMUN fees, transportation, flights, accommodation and meals. All of this creates a huge barrier for many motivated and hard-working students to get involved in the NMUN delegation. The PIRSoc would appreciate any financial support. As a result, we would publicize and place our sponsor's logo on the website and at the NMUN Opportunity Fair.

 

Our contacts: pirsoc0910@gmail.com

 

Useful websites:

The United Nations: www.un.org

General Assembly of the UN: www.un.org/ga/

UN Security Council: www.un.org/sc/

UN Economic and Social Council: www.un.org/ecosoc/

International Court of Justice: www.icj-cij.org

UN High Commissioner for Refugees: www.unhcr.org

UN Children's Fund: www.unicef.org

UN Development Fund for Women: www.unifem.org

UN Development Program: www.undp.org

UN Population Fund: www.unfpa.org

UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation: www.unesco.org

World Trade Organisation: www.wto.org

UN volunteers: www.unv.org

UN System of Organisations: www.unsystem.org

UN association UK: www.una.org.uk

UN global teaching and learning project: www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/index.html