The Hague Model United Nations Conference (MUNISH2021)

From 5th-7th November, selected International School Hilversum students as members of the MUN club actively participated in International School of The Hague’s 31st Annual Session 3-day event Model United Nations Conference (MUNISH 2021), where delegates from 9:00 - 17:00 experienced challenging debates concerning formal disputes. MUNISH attracts over 1,200 students around globe across 30 different schools both from The Netherlands and international borders (e.g., specifically this year from Madrid and London), therefore creating truly the multicultural and diverse dynamics of these sessions, allowing input of knowledge from variety of perspectives, strengthening the ultimate core aim of these conferences; not only to simulate the processes performed in official United Nations forums, but simultaneously to encourage global corporation and information exchange to investigate best solutions to most pressing global issues considering all nation’s outlooks. Additionally, our delegates got to experience debating and conversing in the heart of considered city of “Peace & Justice”, located nearby several UN bodies, embassies, and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs); constructing the closest replication of the United Nations atmosphere.

The conference theme was “Shifting Power Dynamics in a Globalized World” revolved around further establishing UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically addressing the economic rise in the East Asia, rapid advancements in technology facilitating interconnecting communications between nations, while evaluating implications arisen from digitalized world such as unemployment rate or minimized human authorization could lead to unregulated artificial intelligence behavior, overall theme thrives for delegates to ensure optimum situation for future generations. Thereby in this conference, International School Hilversum represented the delegation of both The Netherlands and United States of America, taking position as either delegate or ambassador from Special Conference committees, CCPCJ (Crime Prevention/ Criminal Justice), General Assemblies (GA1, 3, 4), ECOSOC, Environmental, Human rights, Disarmament council to the more specialized committees of APQ, Group of Twenty (G20), NATO, Security and Historic Security council. Delegates debated from more current issues such as measures to limit Covid-19 implications on economy, international security privacy protocols of imaging satellites, and rise of cyberwarfare/instability related topics to maintaining law and order in former 2003 Yugoslavia.

Even though our delegates had large pressure representing major significant member states, delegates managed for their resolutions and clauses to still be approved by panel, confidently presenting opening speeches in GA sessions, SPC Plenary and APQ/SC Plenary, consistently co-operating in amending opposing nation’s solutions, addressing points of information and generally maintain the respectful and formal environment of MUN. Additionally, some committees had the privilege to receive a guest speaker, for example “Irakli Beridze” (Head of Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, UNICRI from UN) informed G20 delegates regarding current technological affairs to aid their progression in topic more accurately. Furthermore, students had option to partake in “New Delegates” or “Public Speaking” workshops primarily targeted for inexperienced delegates, to “Student Officer” workshops for the experienced. Nevertheless, most importantly hopefully students enjoyed these sessions and were able to obtain new skills both interpersonal and academic; down below are comments from delegates who participated:

"MUNISH had a great atmosphere. It was full of open-minded and enthusiastic people that want to solve world issues!" – Cleo Beal DP1 (Security Council, Delegate of USA)

“MUNISH has been a great experience allowing me to explore new perspectives, and actively participate in global politics issues, as well as develop my public speaking and critical thinking skills” – Riptiva Roy IS10D (Security Council, Delegate of USA)

“The Model United Nations has offered me invaluable experiences and skills that I can apply in day-to-day life, university applications, and life beyond the IB. It would be a misconception that MUN is solely focused on developing your skills, and although it’s a great opportunity to do so, it’s also a place of cohesion. Not only demonstrating how the UN functions or how nations interact with each other, but also building new, lifelong friendships” - Ijan Tapican DP2 (NATO, Delegate of The Netherlands)

“With participating in a Model United Nations (MUN), a delegate can research into contemporary issues that plague diplomats in the international scheme. In the perspective of a student, this feels immensely empowering as it feels as though you have been given a voice alike those in power. MUN also caters in developing skills regarding conveying this information to an audience in a restricted amount of time. Therefore, participants become well versed in communication techniques as well as delivering complex information researched in a vocal manner. Going to a MUN is alike rediscovering yourself and finding the extent to which you can understand contemporary dilemmas and create tangible solutions in a restricted amount of time.” – Naman Malhotra IS10C (APQ, Delegate of USA)

Lastly, special thanks to Mr. Maguire who has supervised the students during the whole 3-day event. Next conference the school will be joining is MUNISA, hosted in International School of Amsterdam, which was initially taking place from 10-12th December. Unfortunately, dates had to be postponed due to corona restrictions till further notice. Nevertheless, looking forward to seeing our members participating and getting involved in real current world issues again soon!

And last remarks from our president and vice president:

"Munish was an amazing conference with the highest quality delegates and great topics. It was a great experience and would hope that everyone can experience the feeling of going to the stand and confidently voicing their opinions" - Rishi Narendran DP1 (VP of Conference Prep & Recruitment)

“It is always so satisfying to hear students say they love the MUN experience and want to attend more conferences. For this reason, I am so glad that we can attend more conferences like MUNISH and have them be a success. I see so many students put extraordinary efforts and see them develop skills that no other club in our school provides. MUN helps students build diplomacy and allows students to take a keen interest in global issues. Furthermore, and most importantly, MUN allows students to build friendships with new and unexpected individuals. I really hope that we get to introduce this remarkable experience to more of the ISH students and welcome them to the MUN club this year!“ – Asmita Nayak DP2 (MUN President)

Enya Yuniarta

DP1

(Vice President of Communications)

IS Hilversum MUN on Instagram!

Previous MUN articles:

Arnhem Model United Nations Arnhem Conference - LMUNA

Haarlem Model of United Nations Club - HMUN