My First MUN (9.8.17-10.8.17): Model United Nations. I was told at the beginning of the conference that these three words have the power to change someone. Looking back just a few days after its conclusion, I can tell that this statement is true. Even though I didn’t win best delegate or deliver a mind-blowing speech, my first MUN was an experience I will never forget. Before you can participate in an MUN, you have to be allocated to one of the organs of the UN and given a role. I found out on the Thursday prior to the start of the conference (less than 1 week before), that I would be part of the General Assembly as a delegate of the Czech Republic. I met my co-delegate the same day. His name is Aryaman and he is currently an 8th grader at Amity (grades kindergarten through 12 are at this school). It was both of our first times participating in an MUN but we managed to work it out. To change topics for one minute, the weekend before MUN when I should have been researching my butt off, I was actually busy spending time with my host family and celebrating Raksha Bandhan. Relating back to MUN, I did not have enough preparation time to really have an optimal amount of speeches and chits (chits are messages you send to the executive board and other delegates with questions or informative details) prepared. I submitted my position paper on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the first day of the MUN conference, there was a really nice opening ceremony where members of the executive board (students who basically run the MUN Society) were introduced and the school principal maam gave an introductory speech. While waiting for the tables to be set up for the general assembly, some experienced delegates started lobbying to get support for their country’s stance. The three main competitors were the US, China/Russia, and the EU countries. In favor of the Czech Republic’s foreign relations, I decided to follow the EU. During this time I also tried a new flavor of lay’s potato chips which are some type of Spanish tomato flavor not available in the US. I will be bringing some back to the US if I can remember! After entering the General Assembly’s conference room and finding our chairs, it was already time for refreshments because the morning opening ceremony had taken up quite a bit of time. We were served bullet rolls which are sooo nice. To add to that fact, my co-delegate does not like them so I got extra. I wish I could bring bullet rolls to the US but they have to be served warm. Finally, the conference started and we followed normal proceedings of introducing a general speaker’s list. I raised my placard to get added to the list and was third to go. My speech went pretty well. After hearing other speeches I wish I had put more statistical facts in my speech because those were well noted by the executive board. Of course, since I am the exchange student, I had to redo my speech during the lunch break so that it could be recorded! The pizza we were served made me miss Aniellos pizza back home because this pizza was barely passable as pizza haha. It still tasted fine but I definitely prefer Indian food in India and American food in the US. The rest of the day was spent going through the GSL (general speakers list) and some moderated and unmoderated caucuses. I did not get a chance to speak again except through chits I sent with questions regarding other delegates’ speeches. It was really interesting to hear everyone’s opinions on our agenda which was the future of the world environmental conservation and preservation regime with emphasis on the Paris Accords. The conference went from 8am to 4pm on both the 9th and 10th of August, so I did not get home until almost 8pm on the 9th since my host family stopped at a travel agency (?) and then dropped off Monisha at tutions and visited the worksite of a house my host father’s construction company is working on (I think). The second day of the MUN conference ended in a huge success in that the GA (general assembly) passed a draft resolution into a resolution. In addition, we had Syria sign onto the Paris Accords. The draft resolution that was passed was the one the Czech Republic supported. It was sponsored (written) by China, Russia, Portugal, Japan and France. At the closing ceremony where they gave out awards, it was no surprize to me when the delegate of the US won the best delegate. He had the most experience and was VERY outgoing throughout the conference to the point where he was being continuously asked to stop talking. Aside from the conference, we also heard from some guest speakers who were very inspirational and had a lot of experience with diplomacy. My first MUN experience one is something I will never forget and I highly recommend anyone who has the chance to participate to do so.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorNamaste! Mera naam Anna hai! Hi! my name is Anna. Please enjoy reading about my experience as a high school junior in India and ask any questions you may have! Archives
June 2019
Categories |