Just the Beginning of MUN

This is my first year that I join Model United Nations at International School in Phnom Penh (ISPP). The objective of this conference is to come up with durable solutions to solve the global issues that we are facing now. Since, this is my first time, I participate in Junior Assembly. There are three topics that need to be discussed in this Assembly: The question of protecting animal rights, The question of dams in Southeast Asia, and The question of equality in access to education. I am the representative of United Kingdom, so I need to gather a lot of information about UK’s position on these three topics. Specifically, on the question of protecting animal rights because UK is very strong in this topic.

 

There are four main things that I need to get it done before I step in ISPP. First, I need to do a lot of research. Second, I have to write an 1-minute opening speech. Third, after gathering the information, I need to write a draft resolution for at least one topic. Finally, along the way I need to learn the language (vocabulary) that they use during the meeting. At last, I have to organize everything and put them in one folder because sometimes, using computer is prohibited. So, just print out what I need and put them together.

At there, each representative of each country called “delegate”. In my assembly, there are 14 delegates and two chairs. The chairs are the one who make sure that everything is going well and ensure that every delegate at least speak once in the entire meeting. On the first night, after listening to all the 1-minute opening speeches, we have to find our allies to come together and write one (or more) resolution. So, my country allies are US, Uruguay, and Switzerland. We all write a resolution on the protecting animal rights topic. After that, the chairs will select one topic to debate on whether your country support it or not. Next, they will project our resolutions on the board. The main submitter has to go up and read the solutions that they write. Then, all the delegates debate again. Finally, all of us have to vote on that resolution whether it will pass or not. So, I am the main submitter for my resolution and it passes!

For me, it is the most memorable event ever in my life. For Junior Assembly, the chairs make it a bit easier than the General Assembly because most of us are new to this event. So, they make it more of like experiential learning. Therefore, I have learned a lot from this event. I meet with new students from different schools and have time to work with them. So, next year I will definitely join this amazing event again and it will be not Junior Assembly but General Assembly because I will be too old to join the Junior Assembly by then.