MUNITY-East

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 Sekheena Deslorieux, Mont’ Kiara International School

The Opening Ceremony on the first day of the conference set the stage for the rest of the week. The master of ceremonies was Jerry Wang, President of the General Assembly (ISB). After a brief introduction, the ceremony began with Ms. Frances Laughlin, a member of the Board of Directors of the THIMUN Foundation, giving an engaging speech relating Confucius to Model United Nations. “Ms Laughlin’s link between Confucius and the past, the Millennium Development Goals and THIMUN Singapore was intriguing,” said Heather Shepherd, the MUN Director from Mont’ Kiara International School.

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

The keynote speaker, Lionel Yee, the Director-General of the International Affairs Division in the Attorney-General’s Chamber, encouraged delegates to listen to different people and work together as a team to produce pragmatic and innovative resolutions. He believes that the delegates of the conference today will be the members of the United Nations tomorrow, and wished all the delegates a very productive conference.

With another expert introduction by Jerry Wang, the Hwa Chong String Quartet graced us with a performance of Ode to Joy and Canon in D. After their performance, the Secretary General of THIMUN Singapore, Nina Kamaruddin (Mon’t Kiara International School), gave her speech. She advised delegates to be constructive, not critical in debates. She urged them to make new friends, use this experience for social networking, and seize this chance to make a difference in the world and make this week worthy of remembrance.

Kamaruddin—who has friends from MUN all over the world, from Curacao to Turkey,—was very happy with her speech. Nervous at first, yet confident on stage, she thought that the content related well with her audience, especially in the final line in which she quoted “You’ve got to ignite the light because you’re a firework” from the popular song by Katy Perry. Kamaruddin had written the speech the same day she was appointed Secretary General during the summer holidays, as she was so excited about her position that she could not wait to begin preparing for the conference!

To end the ceremony, Mr. Yee drew Cuba as the delegation to make opening speeches the following day of the conference.

The audience at the Opening Ceremony felt that it had gone very well. Paul Wu (American School in Tai Chong), the delegate of Thailand in General Assembly 2, noted that the ceremony was full of enjoyable speeches. Floris Akkermaans (Shanghai Rego International School), the delegate of Belarus in GA2 said that Mr. Yee’s speech had made such an impact on him that he now considered really working for the UN in the future!

By Jim Hsiao, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

True to its name, Model United Nations is complementary to the official United Nations. The first thing an unassuming observer notices about MUN is the dress code. Students who replace jeans and t-shirts with formal suits and blouses attract pointed stares ranging from bewilderment to awe that originate from intimidated and unknowing bystanders. The dress code enforced by MUN is the most obvious aspect of the conference identical to that of the UN. With the exception of a few colorful individuals such as Gaddafi, most attendees of UN dress much like a respectable MUN delegate should.

Art by Christine Lin, Intl. School of Taichung

The similarities do not stop here. The purpose of any MUN conference is to produce resolutions of issues selected by the officers and directors. Frustrated delegates often question the validity of the issues, as they pound on their keyboards in distress. These issues are not chosen for the ability to demoralize and massacre brain cells in a grim harvest of cellular death, but for their utmost importance and presence in real UN conferences.

In the debating process, MUN employs procedures that are drawn directly from the UN. MUN participants take the floor, make speeches, and propose points of information, which is exactly what official UN representatives do at conferences. Delegates from both conferences also submit resolutions and amendments through similar processes. Some conferences, like the Global Model United Nations, go as far as inviting UN officials to their preparatory meetings to further emulate the UN.

Despite the overwhelming similarities, there are still differences that separate the two organizations. The participants of the conferences dictate many of the events that happen. UN delegates are trained professionals, who are experienced veterans at navigating the intricate field of international politics. Their decisions have a cosmopolitan effect, thus the conferences are far more serious. MUN delegates, on the other hand, are students. The sight of sleeping delegates and questionable analogies are exclusive to MUN, as no respectable UN representative would risk ruining the reputation of his or her delegation.

MUN also has preset assumptions that normally limit the actions of the United Nations. For example, monetary funding is an issue that is not discussed in MUN, while it is an important factor that must be addressed in sessions of United Nations. Another contrast is the influence and reach of the organizations. “MUN is on a much smaller scale and effect, it is not as far reaching as the UN,” proclaims Xavies Neo, an administrator of General Assembly 5. While the United Nations has the power to affect the seven billion inhabitants of our planet, MUN conferences are limited to spreading awareness among the student participants of the conference.

MUN is also limited in its power to implement and propagate the resolutions. Aman Puri, the chair of GA 6, believes that the main difference between the two organizations is “the fact that the resolutions don’t necessarily come into effect.” This, however, does not stop the delegates from trying their best to produce resolutions worthy of the UN itself. Puri maintains that “the essential drive behind UN and MUN is the same.” Whether it be Model United Nations of United Nations, delegates are united under the banner of peace and diplomacy, striving to create a brighter future.

By Emily Tang, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park 

Resolutions filled with Times New Roman font and red annotations. Busy delegates debating current issues central to today’s society. It’s easy to see how delegates could get completely lost in the serious and intellectual side of Model United Nations. However, a glance around any MUN conference will show you this is not the case. With every conference come delegates who know how to dress, mastering the art of blending formality with fashion. 

Have you ever wondered how some people manage to look fashionable and professional at the same time? Here are some tips:

Girls:

Fashion comes with character. Flaunting a suit with well-fitting curves or wearing a colored blouse that differs from your typical white button down can give an outfit some spirit. You can also add a feminine touch by using accessories, such as bright scarves or sassy purses. However, be sure not to over-accessorize: too much is never too good.

Finally, heels. Nobody can deny them -– they give your outfit charm, class, and a few extra inches. In regards to the height, usually 2 to 3 inches heels are appropriate. That being said, if you know you’re going to be on your feet all day, flats are always an option—you can be chic without the pain!

Guys:

The easiest and most universal way for guys to dress with style is to keep it simple and to stick to the basics of “business-casual” dress. That is to say—leave the shorts and cargo pants at home. A possible combination sure to work is a well-fitting shirt paired with flat-front pants made of cotton or microfiber.

One addition you may not have considered is a vest. Not only does layering look stylish – it’s also practical. Inside the air-conditioned conference rooms you can keep it on, and just as easily take it off when you step outside into the sweltering streets of Singapore. To finish it off, a simple pair of brown, navy, or black dress shoes will do the trick.

If you’re overwhelmed by all this information – don’t feel like you have to follow all of it word-for-word. Remember, the best accessories are confidence and a dazzling smile!