MUNITY-East

By Chrsitine Choi, Korea International School 

Photo credit: Judy Park of International School of Beijing

Kevin Chen (American School in Taichung), the Deputy President of the Security Council (SC) announced “Are there any

delegates who wish to volunteer? Seeing none, India—you have been recognized.” The alarmed expression of the delegate of India brought an echo of light laughter in the middle of the serious exchange of ideas running back and forth among the students.

The Security Council is responsible for discussing global issues such as foreign aid programs and tourism. “Its primary objective is to propose solutions that are ideally agreed upon by different countries,” added Seung Yeon Kim (Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies), the delegate of the United Kingdom. Agreement is complicated when five countries—China, U.K., France, Russia, and the U.S.—have the power to veto.

Sitting on opposite sides, two groups of delegates were sharing their countries’ stances on providing South Sudan with financial

support. The debate was getting hotter when William Chen (Shanghai American School – Puxi ), the delegate of Lebanon, claimed that providing free health check-ups is unreasonable since MRIs are too expensivethese days; his statement was challenged by another delegate, who argued that his example was too specific. When Chen seemed to admit the minor flaw in his rhetoric, the harsh atmosphere in the room suddenly disappeared, and students began to chuckle in friendly camaraderie.

It is certainly easy for participants to get tense when they have to voice their countries’ beliefs in front of many other people.

However, small glitches during the conference helped them to loosen up and relieve their fear. For example, when the Deputy President realized that not all countries voted for a clause,he had to address each country individually; this gave some time for the delegates to take a rest from their long talks. Similarly, when asked if there were other memorable moments during the conference, many students replied that it was entertaining to watch Aaron Willis (German European School), the delegate of the Russian Federation, accidentally refer to Confucius as an example of a British quote. Although many participants were afraid of making trivial mistakes, these blunders actually made the delegates feel more comfortable amid the heated debates.

Humorous and memorable happenings set aside, the delegates of the Security Council worked hard to solve many international problems. For the remaining days of THIMUN Singapore, they will continue solving problems to build a better future.

By Tsai-Wei Chen, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

On November 15th, 1920, confident delegates from all around the globe gathered for the first League of Nations assembly held in Geneva. Little did they know, however, that their legacy and very ideas of community peace would inspire THIMUN-Singapore to host its seventh annual opening ceremony 91 years later––tomorrow.

Coming from countries from all over Asia and Oceania, 964 delegates from 74 schools will arrive at the SALT Center of the Hwa Chong Institution campus to participate in the four-day conference. This year, THIMUN-Singapore will adopt the theme of “Crime and Punishment.” As in preceding years, the conference’s theme will provide each committee with pressing issues for delegates to actively debate and, hopefully, resolve through efficient collaboration.

The First General Assembly (GA), or the Committee of Disarmament and International Security, will deal with the formation of an Islamic conference as well as the control of weapons in the Indian Ocean and in various states. The Economic and Financial assembly (GA2), will attempt to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by promoting ecotourism, protecting coral reefs, and developing agriculture. The Social and Humanitarian assembly (GA3) will tackle the societal issues of discrimination against widows and victims of leprosy in hopes of preserving cultural unity. The Administration and Budgetary assembly (GA5) will discuss financial issues concerning the United Nation mission programs and pandemic diseases. Discussion in the last GA, Legal Assembly (GA6), will focus on crime prevention, the worldwide drug problem, and the security of diplomats.

Heated debate on issues regarding “Crime and Punishment” will also take place in the Economic and Social committee (ECOSOC), Human Rights Council (HRC), and Security Council (SC). In the ECOSOC room, delegates will engage in issues pertaining to sexual exploitation, financial crimes, and natural disasters. SC delegates will review the current situations in Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, the HRC will take on the humanitarian issues in Myanmar and discuss the promotion of the welfare of children.

As delegates in committees involve themselves in heated debates and hectic lobbying, students in the Advisory Panel and in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will also take part in vivid discussions of worldwide issues. The Advisory Panel will deal with the situation in the Indochinese peninsula, focusing on the importance of the Mekong River, drug trafficking, and the creation of a free trade area. Representatives in the ICJ will deal with lawsuits between Japan and Australia and between Germany and Italy.

Whether students excitedly embark on this annual pilgrimage to Singapore with high hopes of beaming with pride at their passed resolutions or with enthusiasm to meet new people, THIMUN-Singapore VII will most definitely be a memorable experience for all. The enthusiasm and vigor each day has to offer leaves all students impatient to experience more. So, without further ado, THIMUN-Singapore officially welcomes you aboard the four-day train of excitement. We wish you a smooth ride.

By Kayla Justice, International School of Ho Chi Minh City

While THIMUN gets underway with delegates, chairs and admin staff rushing around in an attempt to navigate their way through the huge campus, the Security Council is an oasis of calm. Gathered in a comfortable conference room in small discussion groups, the delegates of the SC maintain MUN’s business-like, productive atmosphere.

As an observer to the events unfolding, one can see the chairs – President Yo Tzu Yeh of the Shanghai American School, as well as Deputies Miranda Melcher of Dulwich College in Beijing and Siddharth Saravat of Ruamrudee International School – overseeing the action as they assume their leadership roles.

The eager delegates are avidly engaged in all the possibilities the Security Council has to offer. The early stages of the lobbying process fill the room with only whispered meetings. It’s obvious, despite the quiet, that the participants are preparing themselves for a conference of proactive debating.

According to the delegate of the United Kingdom, Linus Wannstrom, the Security Council is “necessary for the establishment of stability and peace in countries needing assistance with the mat- SECURITY COUNCIL ter.” In the opinion of delegate Troy Tan of Japan, the committee ensures “an acceptable standard of living for all citizens of the world” and establishes “a peaceful and secure environment.”

When asked about the goals for the conference, a student from the International School Ho Chi Minh City, Min Jeong Kim, delegate of Nigeria, said she would like to “debate on feasible resolutions that will aid the stabilization of peace and security.” Similarly, Kevin Chen, delegate of Uganda, said that the “Security Council is unique in that we debate clause by clause so we can modify and not destroy the whole resolution.” Some participants are not as vocal about their opinions of the council: Ho June Chun, delegate of Nigeria,commented on “the experience” and that he doesn’t “like this kind of question.”

As the noise level increases and the lobbying progresses, the process of merging resolutions is well underway. Some of the topics the assembly will focus on in the committee include the situation in Nepal, the implementation of Resolution 242 concerning Israel, Cote d’Ivoire, and the peace-keeping forces in Cypress (UNFICYP). All of the topics connect with the maintenance of peace in global cri- IMPLEMENTING PEACE, CLAUSE By Kayla Justice, International School Ho Chi Minh City ses and countries in need.

Even with all the excitement of the beginning of THIMUN and the anticipation for tomorrow’s debates, the delegates and chairs of the SC are level-headed and focused on the tasks at hand. As lobbying and merging of resolutions comes to a close and debating begins, always with peace in mind, the Security Council’s work has begun.