MUNITY-East

by Kayla Justice, International School at Ho Chi Minh City

While delegates have been busy debating and revising resolutions, some select individuals have been equally busy working behind-the-scenes.

Each school participating in the conference this year has brought with them not only a group of enthusiastic students, but also their doting chaperones.  Day-in and day-out,  one can see them floating from room to room, taking the occasional photograph, having the occasional hushed conversation amongst themselves, and drinking the occasional coffee.

Despite what we may think, these teachers have facilitated the inner-workings of this conference from a distance – a prime example of this being Mr. Longbotham, the advisor of Munity-East, who has supported the press team throughout the duration of this year’s THIMUN-Singapore.  “[I’ve] mostly been watching a lot of talented people do their thing.  This has been such a great year; I’ve been able to step back and watch a lot of people work.”

Teachers from all these schools have also provided us with transportation, enabling us to come to the conference, get home and, of course, shop.  Mrs. Kenney  from Senzoku Gakuen High School, has a similar mindset as Mr. Longbotham, saying that as “all the work’s done before” the conference, the advisors mostly let their students do the work.  She claims that the conference is “very much about the students,” and is an excellent opportunity for students to become more “open and welcoming” to other “interesting perspectives.”

When asked about rule-enforcement, Mrs. Kenney just smiles and says, “Don’t make me bust you, I don’t want to have to bust you.”  With this said, she adds that there isn’t really a need for said “busting”, seeing as the delegates are responsible, engaged participants.

Beyond the occasional need for their intervention, delegates should appreciate their supervisors’ presence and tolerance; after all, without them, none of us would be here.

(photography by Cody van Kampen, layout by Wei-Wei Lin)

By: Kayla Justice, International School Ho Chi Minh City

With the doors secured and note-passing suspended, amendments passed with ease during the third morning of the conference in the Advisory Panel assembly. Where disagreement cropped up, constructive debate ensued, making for another productive day as each discussion mimicked those of the United Nations itself. Capturing the essence of this assembly’s ardent atmosphere, Yvonne Hsiao, expert on the Solomon Islands, said, “There’s just something oddly satisfying about engaging in verbal exchange in business attire.”

Most Attractive

“Awesome! I didn’t expect this. I just like what I do; I’m very passionate.”

-Malavika Nair, Delegate of Kiribati from OFS

Biggest Hermione Granger

“I’m flattered because I’m a very big fan of Harry Potter! I guess it means I speak a lot. I really like the character, so I’m very flattered to be compared to her.”

-Devyai Gupta, Delegate of IPCC, Mont’Kiara International School

Kayla Justice, International School Ho Chi Minh City

As a simulation of the United Nations, MUN aims to increase its participants’ global awareness of current affairs in an international context through delegation.As for this year’s conference, current events such as the bombing of the South Korean island, Yeonpyeong, and the Cambodian stampede have especially caught the delegate’s attention.

With the escalating tension between North and South Korea, much of what is happening hits home for our Korean participants as well as R.O.K. and D.P.R.K. Internationally, and in both North and South Korea, people fear that this violence will trigger further aggression.

Within the countries themselves, the prospect of the military draft is a crucial concern for many of the citizens. “I’m just worried about the war; we’re almost of the age of military service so obviously if there’s a war we’re the ones going to be fighting it,” said Paul Lim, a South Korean national. However, while many view the bombing from the South Korean point of view, Alessandre Alonso, the delegate of D.P.R.K. in GA3, offers an alternative perspective. “The bombing of South Korea was a provoked attack and after repeated warn

While some may wish to shut out the brimming fear in Korea, those lost in the Cambodian stampede have not, and will not, be forgotten. During this year’s Water Festival in Phnom Penh, more than 400 people were killed during a widespread panic atop an unstable bridge. “I feel [like] it’s a complete loss. A lot of innocent people of every age were killed,” said a delegate who wished to remain anonymous, verbalizing the sentiments of the world. It is in the spirit of global peace and stability that the UN and MUN strive for the better.

By Kayla Justice, International School Ho Chi Minh City

Sophistication spreads from language to technology and, of course, to fashion in this year’s THIMUN-Singapore conference and it shows. Regardless of whether it’s displaying designer brands such as Gucci, Channel or Louis Vuitton or, lesser known, not-so-designer logos, everyone has pulled together his or her best outfits for the occasion. Amongst the meeting rooms a select few have nailed ‘it’ factor.

Take delegate of Spain, Jane Woo, in General Assembly 1, who, sporting a chic grey dress complimented by a flowery-patterned scarf and belt, owned her outfit. Ms. Woo, the delegate of Spain fromthe Korean International School, remarked, “While fashion is not a big part of why I participate in THIMUN, as I gain more experience in MUN, I’ve realized that it’s not necessarily fashion that matters, but appearance. You should look clean, which helps you look professional, which gives you an air of credibility and having credibility makes people want to follow you.”

On a similar note, delegate of Sweden, Halah Ibrahim (Dhahran Ahliyya School), who also captured the essence of MUN professionalism with her tasteful sweater and outfit ensemble,thinks THIMUN participants should dress appropriately, seeing as we’re all, “here for a conference,” and “should look respectable.” However, ‘looking professional’ does not have to include a hefty price tag, also addressed by Halah, who, like many of us here, just, “took the stuff” she likes to make suitable outfits for this year’s conference.