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What’s In It For Us? Impact of MUN

By Selina Demetrick

For the students who have been staying up late, travelling far from home, and putting schoolwork aside to work on MUN, a resounding question remains omnipresent amongst parents, teachers, and even the participants themselves. Why? Besides the obvious – it being fun and interesting – lurks an agglomeration of reasons for joining MUN.

The topic of debate impacts the speaker in a variety of ways. For example, in order to effectively represent a nation, a delegate must stay involved in current events. This increases their knowledge on their country, and its current worldview as a whole. Staying up to date on global affairs raises awareness and broadens perspectives. This leaves one more open-minded and understanding when it comes to conversations involving controversial matters or opinions that differ from your own. Sam Boughton, from GA5 has similarly stated “ It has made me see different perspectives on different cultures and how [they] think, and helped me gain a broader image of the world.” This enhances consciousness of several issues of varying magnitude presently occurring around the world. Whether this leads to an increased involvement in organizations such as charities for refugees or relief funds, or simply elevates the intellect for good conversations, a raised awareness for current events is not something to pass up. Sophie Miller from HRC observed another point of view, saying taking part in debates in MUN “makes you more aware, so you are able to benefit from that before you are grown up, and you can help make a smarter generation.”

Besides the content of discussed issues themselves, joining MUN is not only useful as convenient padding for a resume, but it also provides a participant with a multitude of benefits just from debating with other students. Vin, representing Sri Lanka in GA6 has noticed that joining MUN has “given [him] the bravery to go up and speak to people and talk to strangers.” From GA5, Zoe Kim comments on another benefit of MUN  in how it has enhanced her public speaking skills. Professional discussion with other representatives gives the opportunity to increase speaking skills and to boost one’s confidence, with minimal pressure. Being a confident speaker as well as a competent leader are both important traits when pursuing a career, years down the road. Celia Lette from HRC who remarked that MUN helps to widen one’s perspective on issues, which benefits one’s ability to relate to other people, shared this view. Additionally, delegates learn how the real UN operates, which include being forced to come to a decision when everyone has voice in the matter, and needing to work together to find solutions as well as alternatives to real world problems.

The impact of discussions, both the content and the action itself, provide more than just a weekend getaway. The issues themselves stir interest in the matter at hand and help students to be informed about the world around them, eradicating ignorance and providing support for their views on the topic, instead of allowing them to be influenced by unreliable sources. What students gain from participating in MUN and debating real issues from around the world is incomparable with other extracurricular activities. It helps delegates to flourish in many fields. Whatever the conference, whatever the country, and whatever the topic, delegates are sure to learn valuable life lessons and walk away from MUN as a different person.

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