Initial Model United Nations (MUN) Experiment
2024 – A huge flip of page over my life.
It was when I was determined to be apart from my parents in Vietnam to study abroad in America. It was when I first challenged myself to take more advanced classes. It was when I stepped out of my comfort zone to explore new experiences and take on challenges on the road ahead. Today in this blog, I will especially talk about my first experience at the MUN conference (Mock Conference).
To prepare for the mock conference, each member needed to prepare a position paper and also conduct research independently. We will need to conduct in-depth research on our assigned countries’ policies, historical stances, and alliances relevant to the topics at hand. This preparation involves analyzing recent data, reviewing official UN documents, and understanding the viewpoints of allies and opposing nations. Additionally, each member will practice delivering opening statements and participate in mock debates to strengthen their argumentation skills. Effective teamwork, communication, and adaptability will be key, as we’ll need to respond to unexpected questions and negotiate with other delegates to build consensus. By preparing thoroughly, we aim to represent our countries accurately and contribute meaningfully to the discussions.
On the first day of the conference, I was significantly shocked by the tension and pressure in the atmosphere of that conference. Participants are quick and confident, sharing their views with clarity and speed. When it’s time to vote, hands go up rapidly as everyone races to express their opinions within the time limit. Their confidence, backed by thorough research, often leaves me momentarily unsure of what to say. Each representative uses their knowledge and observations during group work to decide on alliances. As soon as the moderator prompts them to find allies, they immediately connect, persuading others to join and support their proposals
Furthermore, besides the pressure in the atmosphere, new delegates will need to face the new terms that the Model United Nations has during the conference. The new term like taking notes and sending them to other representative countries, the unmoderated caucuses where delegates need to move around to find allies that have the same point of view as your country, but still you do want you to be the country that most stand out to be the sponsor.
Thankfully, our committed assistant, Ms. Mina Petrolito, part of our Village School MUN family, gave indispensable support. She allowed me the time to interact more by asking questions and being with experienced members who attended previous MUN conferences. Under her tutelage, I could harness my research techniques, enhance my position paper, and learn how to judge sources for credibility critically. Ms. Petrolito not only strengthened my understanding of MUN protocols through her feedback but also boosted my confidence in the presentation of well-supported arguments. I had been much better prepared through her mentorship to participate and meaningfully contribute to the mock conference.
This was a transformative step in my MUN journey as well as in my new life abroad. From the intensity of the conference to the challenges posed by the unfamiliar terms and procedures, every second impelled me to grow. The confidence I needed to navigate through such a complex environment came from the guidance of Ms. Petrolito and the support from more experienced peers. Though sometimes I felt insecure, every new challenge brought some new things to learn that helped me to improve. Getting out of my comfort zone was quite challenging, but it showed me the importance of resiliency, adaptability, and continuous growth. This experience will be very helpful not only in further MUN conferences but in all new experiences that will come along in this chapter of my life.