MUNITY-East

By Sean Liu, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu 

THIMUN delegates, like many high-schoolers, love to dance. Here are a few of our delegates with their favorite dance moves.

Albert Liao (International Bilingual School at Hsinchu), the delegate of Ireland of GA2, and Leo Simon (Lycee Francais de Singapour), the delegate of India of GA5, both enjoy “The Shuffle,” a popular running-in-place dance move.

Justina Huang (Shanghai American School), the delegate of Lebanon of the Security Council, prefers more individualistic and surprising dance moves, such as “The Fist Eater” and “The Bark.”

Sid Singh (German European School), the delegate of the Russian Federation of GA5, loves imitating rhythm and blues artist Jason Derulo by shuffling his feet. He calls it “The Jason Derulo Move.”

Kathy Chow (International Bilingual School at Hsinchu), the delegate of Malawi of GA6, expresses herself best through “The Wave,” where she waves her hands to imitate the sea, and “The Cool Step,” in which she elegantly moves her arms and legs back and forth.

In addition to delegates, MUN advisors delight in dancing too. Ms. Elizabeth Wyant, the advisor for the International Bilingual School at Hsinchu, reminisces about Michael Jackson as she performs his moonwalk.

ByIHo June Chun, International School of Ho Chi Minh City

Photo cred: Mars Huang of International Bilingual School at Hsinchu

In every conference room, delegates see one or two unfamiliar faces silently typing away on their laptops in the corner. They are the advisors from each school, assisting students in a number of ways. Nevertheless, despite their sincere contribution, they are rarely featured in the spotlight.

So what is the job of an advisor? It is mostly composed of preparation for the conference. Advisors coordinate delegates’ trip from head to toe:They organize flights, insurance, letters to parents, and virtually any part of MUN that requires a teacher’s assistance. They also provide basic training sessions for newcomers to MUN. During the conference, the major job of an advisor is to provide necessary information to students. For instance, an advisor of the ICJ, Elizabeth Wyant from International Bilingual School at Hsinchu, notes, “Although delegates in ICJ are very experienced and all have high potential to be future lawyers, they occasionally require information about laws, and I am in ICJ to quickly provide such information for them.” Other than providing information, advisors also assist in screening notes, checking grammar, and monitoring the debate to keep everything on track.

Photo cred: Mars Huang of International Bilingual School at Hsinchu

Directing such diverse areas, it is no surprise that they encounter some difficulties. Advisor William K. Schlei from International School of Ho Chi Minh City notes, “The advisors often find difficulties in remembering all the necessities to be checked before the conference since there are countless details. This can be seen by looking at the Security Council, where half of the members did not bring their note papers.” One of the other advisors, Kevin Huntley from Dulwich College Beijing, points out another difficulty, “For me, the hardest thing about preparation for the conference is to educate other teachers to value MUN. They often do not understand how it has such importance [so as to cause studens to] to miss five periods of their classes.”

Running around from committee to committee, advisors strive to provide assistance to the delegates in every way possible. So, smile at them. Each one of them helped make THIMUN Singapore 2011 a possibility.

Photo cred: Mars Huang of International Bilingual School at Hsinchu

By Sekheena Deslorieux, Mont’ Kiara International School

Walking around Orchard Road, you have probably seen the recycling bins, MRT signs and bus stops. These are all a part of Singapore’s green plan. For many years, Singapore has made a concerted effort to be eco-friendly. All around Singapore there are recycling companies who specialize in finding new uses for hand phones and batteries, as well as pawn shops that will return money for things that you no longer use. Instead of throwing away old belongings, the Singaporean government encourages recycling, providing recycling bins specifically for glass, paper, and aluminum.

And you! You—a delegate, expert, judge, chair, president, reporter, or MUN director can make a difference! Follow these three simple steps to be eco-friendly in THIMUN Singapore VII!

Art by Yong Jin Kim, CISS

1. Use the THIMUN Singapore water bottles

Those fiery bottles are a perfect way to avoid buying and throwing away plastic water bottles. Julie Allison, a MUN director from the Bombay American School said, “It’s been good to see that at the conference they have taken steps to reduce the number of plastic bottles with the reusable water bottles.” The THIMUN water bottle is reusable and looks great! You can fill it up at the water fountains located around the school, normally near the restrooms.

2. Limit your paper wastage.

When you bring your resolutions to the conference, print them on recycled paper! By using old one sided papers, you can cut down on the number of trees killed for this conference. Jaeng Vorawandthanachai from Ruamrudee International School, the delegate of Germany in General Assembly 2, said, “I use recycled paper everyday!” Try to convince your teachers or peers to use recycled papers when they print new material. An alternative to printing on recycled paper is to print your resolutions or assignments on double sided paper. Increase the mar- gins on your Word documents to decrease the total number of pages that you need to print.

3. Use public transportation

There is a reason why there is an excellent transportation system in Singapore — so people like you can use it! All around Singapore there are MRT stations that will take you from Orchard Road to Chinatown in a matter of minutes. “I use the MRT every day. It makes my journey very quick!” said Joshua Ong, a member of the admin staff and a Singapore native. Connecting all parts of Singapore, the MRT and LRT systems reduce the number of cars on the road and thus decrease the traffic and travel time from one place to another.

Singapore is doing its part, so now it’s your turn!

By HoJai Yoon, Concordia International School Shanghai 

Close your eyes, and slowly count how many MUN conferences you have been to. How many can you count? How far have you roamed the world for MUN?

Art by Christine Lin American School in Taichung

The history of Model United Nations dates back to the 1920s. Today, with its growing popularity, there are an estimated 400 MUN conferences held worldwide. As the development of transportation and communication makes the modern world a global village without boundaries, various MUN conferences around the globe attract an ever-growing number of participants.

Among various renowned and respected conferences, THIMUN firmly stands as a gateway for high school students to enter the broader spectrum of MUN conferences. Since its establishment in 1981, THIMUN has continually broadened its boundaries from the Hague to Singapore, and now even to Qatar. Janie Jang from Concordia International School, the delegate of the Republic of Korea in the Special Conference on Crime and Punishment at 2011 THIMUN-Qatar, applauds this conference, because “it offers various committees that I could not experience before in Singapore.” Besides THIMUN, a great number of larger conferences allow students to experience a greater diversity of cultures and opinions. Iris Kong from Nagoya International School, the delegate of Singapore in General Assembly 5, comments that she enjoyed BEIMUN because of “its leniency in allowing follow-ups that help each delegate discuss issues in depth.”

However, quantity does not always equal quality. Smaller conferences around the world can offer students with more chances to directly involve themselves in the debating process and communicate more deeply with delegates. Justina Huang from Shanghai American School-Puxi, delegate of Lebanon in the Security Council, says, “SHAMUN, a conference annually held at my school, offers a variety of committee options despite its small size. Furthermore, it is very concentrated in that it allows students to directly involve themselves in both debates and the administration of MUN itself.”

Each MUN conference around the world has its unique style. In order to assist MUN-ers with information regarding the diverse conferences options, a splendid website, www.bestdelegate.com, provides maps for MUN all over the world. The website provides visitors with not only lists of MUN conferences, but also with national and international rankings of MUN teams, strategies to win MUN debates, and recently updated information regarding MUN conferences.

Therefore, delegates must remember that there are various MUN options, because each conference give participants new learning experiences. Regardless of its size, each conference provides a valuable experience for participants to promote global awareness and meet with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. With a little guidance from www.bestdelegate.com, participants will be able to expand their scope of MUN experiences.

By Susanna Chen of International Bilingual School at Hsinchu

At the back corner of every conference room huddles a group of students in brown blazers and red ties. They are the invisible hands that make every conference possible and rewarding. Despite the scorching sun and the oppressive heat, one can see them scurrying from one end of the huge resort-like campus to the other, carrying out their duties to the best of their abilities, offering their help to bewildered delegates, and ensuring that all technical difficulties are solved. Like the diligent and industrious bees of a sturdy beehive, producing mouth-watering and delectable honey, these dedicated students are the unspoken assistants that support the making of prolific and high-quality debates, the overcoming of the initial anxiety and fear of public speaking, and the learning of the delicate art of teamwork along with other capable students. All of which are the primary and most prominent purposes of all the conferences that occur at the Model United Nations.

Photo cred: Mars Huang of Intl. Bilingual School at Hsinchu

Leading all 68 silent helpers in brown suits is a responsible and fervent leader, who sits upright in a wooden chair at the front desk with an air of confident regality and appeal. Chng Luey Chi, a senior currently studying at Hwa Chong Institution, holds the title of administration head. Throughout his entire high school career, he had already attended five “thrilling, exciting, competitive, and challenging” conferences as a delegate. When inquired why he did not again embark on this annual cerebral adventure as a delegate, he boldly proclaimed, “Although this will be my first time as administration head, I believe it is time for me to take on a greater responsibility and challenge. I strongly think that I have what it takes to create an appropriate and comfortable learning environment for all advisors, chairs, delegates, and press members.” He also hopes that “this four-day conference will run smoothly, the delegates will enjoy themselves, and that all the problems of the advisors and student officers will be easily solved.”

Although all participants desire a smooth and manageable conference, complications are, nevertheless, inevitable. Fortunately, Chng stated, “Up until now, there was nothing major that happened. Just a few resolvable minor hiccups. Some of the microphones were not working, people kept losing their stuff, and ceilings were leaking water.” To avoid messy and hectic situations in the next two days, he encourages the administrative team to “keep working hard and do your duties! Up until now, all of you have been great. I think you guys should know that I wholeheartedly appreciate all of your hard work. Without your contributions, there will be no conference.”

By Sean Liu, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park 

10. Hotel Room

At the end of the day, every delegate needs a comfortable place to rest. Teenagers generally need at least seven hours of sleep a night, and MUN-ers are no different – after all, they too are typical high school students. If anything, they need more sleep. Solving the world’s problems is tough work!

9. Administration

The note passers who should be grabbing your note just as you lift it. Who doesn’t take them for granted, right? Their only job is to wait and walk around with a sheet of paper. How hard could it be? But don’t forget that they run these endless errands for the entire conference – what would the conference be without them?

8. Meeting New People

THIMUN conferences are all about diversity, consisting of delegates from all over the world. Given that, delegates are bound to meet new people, debate with or against them, and make new friends in the process.

7. Air Conditioning

In a tropical country like Singapore, air conditioning is a must. Without it, temperatures rise to well above 30 degrees Celsius, but with air conditioning, temperatures fall to a comfortable 20 degrees, ideal for a room packed with students in formal clothing.

6. Point of Information

This is central to any debate in MUN. Delegates rely on this tool to support or attack resolutions, and often become frustrated when chairs deny them this inalienable right.

5. Toilet Paper

According to an Internet poll, around 20% of people go at unpredictable times of the day. To protect the mental health of all delegates and to promote personal hygiene, toilet paper must be provided in all bathrooms in any conference.

4. Food

Delegates generally expect decent food at any conference. As one anonymous MUN-er put it, “We’re sacrificing our free time to solve world issues. I think we deserve at least to be rewarded with good food. You don’t like me when I’m hungry!”

3. Analogies

Delegates get bored and need a laugh every now and then. Why not throw in a funny analogy to lighten up their spirits? “This resolution is like the warm spot in the pool. It feels nice until you realize what it is.”

2. Banana

Our close primate relatives must love bananas for a reason. Bananas, which are high in potassium, are excellent sources of energy. According to the US National Lung and Blood Institute, teenagers are estimated to lose around 2000 calories a day. Therefore, many delegates rely on the conferences to provide them with bananas.

1. The Internet

Every delegate uses the Internet to research and prepare for MUN conferences. Even during conferences, delegates need the Internet to look up events and issues of which they are not fully aware. Delegates also take refuge in the Internet for sneaky breaks. “I don’t know what I would do without the Internet,” admits an anonymous MUN-er, “Facebook and 9gag are my life.”

by Minah Kim, Mon’t Kiara International School

8:00

Whoops. Last minute memorization of the opening speech in front of the mirror while tying his tie, thinking of that female delegate from the dance last night.

9:00-10:00

Debate begins. Main Submitter opens with a speech while co-submitters start sending continuous notes to the chair in order for the floor to be yielded.

10:00-10:30

Delegates all know that MUN isn’t all work, and that those wonderful MUN pick up lines make for a great bit of frivolous time at the end of every conference.  Flirtatious notes with the pickup lines begin. Admins run around the room delivering one’s love for the other

10:30-1:00

Inappropriate notes get revealed. Delegate receives a warning from the chair.

1:00-14:00

Lunch hour begins. Delegates line up for some Singaporean Economical Rice and manage to order their lunch speaking in third person: “Motion to put some chicken on his plate.” Casual bonding time between the two delegates who were flirting previously.

14:00

Decides to make a POI or a speech for the resolution

14:01

Gets recognized by the chair

14:02

Trips on the stair while walking down to the microphone. This delegate is not embarrassed. Really.

15:00-16:00

Debate gets heated up and delegate gives a striking speech,.

17:00

Packs up and walks out of the committee room. Hierarchy abolishes, the chair is now my best friend.

By. Dongju Lee, Korea International School

It’s a well-established fact that you meet the largest array of people at an MUN conference. From schools to nationalities, THIMUN Singapore is a veritable melting pot of individuals in every possible aspect. While the pool of delegate is everchanging, they still seem to fall in the same few categories. Whether you are in Security Council or the Advisory Panel, these are, without fail, the delegates you will meet every year.

The Politician

This delegate has the answers to any and every POI directed at them. Charismatic and outgoing, you’ll see them flitting about the room, advertising their own resolution or throwing their utmost support behind another’s. These smooth-talkers are talented at swaying public opinion in favor of or against a resolution, and they’re definitely delegates that you want on your side when it comes to the final vote.

The Idealist

Eager, optimistic, and communicative, this delegate wants to solve all the world’s problems right now. They take their job as a delegate seriously, defending their country’s interests and asserting the importance of a resolution they are submitting or supporting. Friendly and sociable, these delegates gravitate towards larger groups, where they can best put their peacemaking skills to use. At the end of the conference, they are the ones most likely to be voted “future humanitarian” or “most likely to become a philanthropist.”

The Newbie

These delegates are usually younger students or those just entering the world of MUN. Similar to the Idealists, they come into conferences earnest and optimistic. Some adjust quickly to the chaos and free-for-all atmosphere of lobbying. Others break down, and by the time debates roll around, they’ve degenerated into peevish versions of their former bubbly selves. Generally well prepared, bearing binders upon binders of research, these delegates breathe new life and a fresh perspective into these all-encompassing conferences.

The Narcoleptic

This is the delegate you see sprawled across a seat, clutching a folder but oblivious to the debate currently in progress. Perpetually drowsy, these delegates will contribute a few comments to the discussion before returning to their seats to doze off. The one exception they make for their much-needed beauty rest seems to be lunch and dismissal. At that point they will wipe the drool from their mouths and attempt to disguise the button imprint on their forehead (courtesy of a misplaced jacket sleeve).