Dear Tunza Friends,

I am looking forward to be a part of GYELS 2014 in Korea. Glad being selected for it . Many Thanks to Eco gen for providing this amazing opportunity . This reminds me of my participation in MUN as Delegate of South Africa and member of Environment Committee. I had not posted report regarding my experiences of MUN so I would like to take this opportunity to share with you about MUN.

2 months ago in Nov 2013(8^th-10^th Nov) , I participated as Delegate-South Africa in Model United Nations (MUN). Selection was based on audition in our school.

The Model United Nations(MUN) is an annual conference for high school students who come together to caucus, negotiate, debate, support and pass resolutions to solve global issues. It is a simulation of the United Nations where students play the role of UN delegates representing countries assigned to them. Today,  the world is confronted by a range of problems that threaten to undo all the progress that humankind has made till today. Poverty, Inequality, Climate Change, Gender Discrimination, Racial Discrimination and other such vices are integral problems of the world that humanity as a whole needs to  learn to overcome. As such, the purpose of MUN  is to inspire young minds to dedicate themselves to the service of their community and to the service of humanity. MUN forces students to not only understand, but to solve the various pressing issues in the world today. Through research, debates, discussions, and forums, students learn from each other how they can constructively work together to solve the problems of their fellow human beings, and secure a better future for those in need. This is the overarching goal and purpose of  any MUN conference.

MUN conferences are organized at various places worldwide like Greece , Chennai (South India) etc. I participated the one in Chennai called Chennai Model United Nations (CHEMUN) organized at American International School, Chennai , India.

About 400 delegates from all over the world participated in this. 

CHEMUN 7 had the following committees: General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, DISEC, Environment Commission, Human Rights Comittee, and Special Conference.

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Each participating student is assigned a specific country he/she will represent and will, from then on, be referred to as the 'delegate' of the respective country in a particular forum of the United Nations.   I was assigned South Africa . I was called  and addressed as Delegate of South Africa in the whole conference from day 1 till the end . Also each delegate is assigned a committee. I was in Environmental Committee(EC).

There were three forums: General Assembly, Security Council and ECOSOC ( Economic & Social Council). Each of these forums deal with specific agenda items - questions related to political, economic, environmental or other issues.

Delegates had to do thorough research on the countries and topics assigned to them so that they can faithfully represent their country's policies during the conference. For example, a delegate, representing Russia in the Security Council has to have a good idea of Russia's foreign policy as well as good knowledge about the issues to be debated in the Security Council.I had done thorough research on South Africa as I was representing South Africa.

All delegates had to come prepared with an Opening Speech and/or a Foreign Policy. I gave my opening speech and  I was really motivated when I received so many appreciations and applause for my opening speech.

After the opening speech, delegates in each committee caucused/negotiated to formulate their resolutions on the issues to be debated. During this time, draft resolutions were to be  written and merged to come up with one or two final resolutions which were to be  submitted to Committee Chairs. These resolutions were then to be debated in the respective forums and voted upon. If the resolution passed, it became a UN resolution that member countries were expected to adhere to.

3 below mentioned topics were discussed in this forum :

a)Eradication of Wildlife Poaching

b)Measures to protect the Arctic environment

c)Improvement in Flood Relief Systems

 I spoke about South Africa , What  is south Africa doing on improvement in Arctic life style , world peace, eradication of wildlife poaching, presented some statistics on poaching of rhinos., my opinion and concerns etc.

I was also ppointed the Co Submitter of  resolution proposed on ?Measures to protect arctic environment?. Few other delegates also proposed resolutions for problems related to the above 3 issues globally . I took firm stand for or against these resolutions depending on what was appropriate  for my designated country South Africa..

Last day was the cultural exchange day where we all wore traditional dresses. We were taken around for Chennai sight seeing as well.

Overall CHEMUN was a lifetime experience for me . It not only provided me debating forum but also helped me to understand  the depths of international relations , to share vision with other delegates  who were from vastly different backgrounds , cultures & countries in an atmosphere of support and understanding .