A view of Netherlands UN experience

​ALBA GARCÍA. After a first glance of the fourth edition of the  URJCMUN, Netherlands embassador Matt Van Bonzel  gave us an introduction to diplomacy. Netherlands have been members of the UN since 1945 and now are applying its candidacy to enter the UN Security Council. The Security Council  is a group within the  UN in which  10 members of the UN are selected to be part of it,  5 of them are permanent legitimate members which include China, Russia, USA, Great Britain and France. 
​Netherlands are looking forward to  June elections of the Security Council to gain a position in it. These year it will be facing Italy and Sweeden to earn its place. Its reasons for believing that it should be chosen are various, but basicly they argue they have provided in the past years important contributions to the UN. They've given the biggest budget of 4 billion euros and have been the biggest contributors in the UNHCR. In addition they remind their influence in its caribbean municipalities Aruba, Curaçao, St Marteen, Bonaire, and stand out the fact of its active participation and initiatives in comparison with other members. 
Netherland is a country with open believes and cooperative  aims. They believe opening borders is the solution for a peaceful and solidary world, as Matt Bonzel said " Opening borders have brought 400 years of development".  Therefore they have an interest in international conflicts and therefore want to take a deeper part in the UN to evoke its believes to other states.
In a social context, Netherlands are looking forward to improve a negative view that has been given to diplomats in society. As Marta the second secretary of the embassy highlights, the key is to reach an agreement in which both sides gain, avoiding phocusing only on the minorities problems and having a bigger interest for the majority, because society is feeling they are being left apart and only importance is given to minority groups. An example for this is the Syrian conflict, they believe human rights must be defended but as Marta explained "national's fears shouldn't be forgotten"
As a guideline for the upcoming Comites, Marta revealed some tips and issues that surround the UN's meetings. The advice was basicly to be cooperative. She warned delegates to not assume all their aims and objetives are going to be accomplished as there are many other participants which will contradict many opinions brought about, and will demand the opposite resolution. Therefore, we should focus on trying to understand our partner and reach to an agreement in which both gain even though in some aspects both lose.  A basic aim should be set a specific aim, which means that prioritizing our objectives is the key to obtain any kind of succes. Furthermore, basing himself on his own experience, Matt,  suggests that an ideal way of reaching some point of understanding is to not claim all your demands. The most suprising revelation but actually typical and a key moment of the UN's meetings Marta said " it's what happens at the coffee machine", meaning that most diplomatic relations will be done outside the actual meeting where most durable and honest agreement will surge.
Finally, a more personal and detailed conversation was brought about where Matt, Netherlands embassador, confesses that being a diplomat is a solitary and difficult job. He explained that "passion needs to be beyond your personal interests", "its sacrificing, especially it affects family, as it involves constant travelling". In addition, he admitted that he's had internal conflicts within himself, as in many occassions, he disagreed with the position that was established for him to have as the Netherlands. When this occured, he could give suggestions, but usually they've been delayed. Matt warns future diplomats to avoid insisting or contradicting orders to maintain your job, as they are just the governments representation, not advisors. In additon, Marta shared her own experience admitting that as a women, there has been complications, as many times the person who you work for could devalue you, but in modern times, she can appreciate the progress that has been made in including woman as diplomats and allowing them to be more involved.