8 POINT OF INTEREST Committees use various methods to prepare for
conference BY ELIZABETH SONG and JONATHAN YUN
In order to avoid monotony when preparing for SEOMUN, delegates incorporated a mix of strategies other than practicing speaking skills, writing resolutions and debating to get their selves better accustomed to MUN. For instance, the Special Conference (SPC) held simple discussions about its three issues—instilling a long-term financial aid plan for disaster-stricken nations; By SEAN KIM fostering domestic businesses Kevin Han, delegate of Peru. “For examand commerce in developing countries; ple, talking about the third issue made me regulating and balancing fair and lib- realize the importance of the Free Trade eral international trade, including the Agreement between [the US] and Canada.” encouragement of open markets. DelAnother committee that deviated from egates briefly presented their stances and the common practice of debating was the discussed several solutions to the prob- Human Rights Council (HRC). Yuri Han, lems, advising each other in the process. Assistant President, led delegates in a game “[The] discussion gave me more back- of Jeopardy, in which they were tested on ground knowledge for each topic,” said the fundamentals of MUN rules, terms
and etiquette. The uniqueness of Yuri’s way of preparation came from her experience as a delegate. “When I was a delegate, I had a chair who played only one game with us,” said Yuri. “That game stuck with me for the rest of my MUN career, and it helped me gain my confidence. Since we only have six people and have more time, I thought of ways to do activities and practice their basic skills like impromptu speaking and critical thinking.” For the delegates, the game of Jeopardy was a memorable approach to preparing for the actual conference on Nov. 4 to 6. “It was quite interesting,” said Kevin Chun, delegate of the Bahamas. “I didn’t know much about MUN, but from it, I learned about the standard parliamentary procedure.”
Summer programs bring a clear start to MUN By BONA KOO In order to get a head start on the upcoming MUN season, many delegates made their way to summer programs to gain valuable experience. The conferences involved discussing world events, passing resolutions, and of course, debating issues. The World Advisory Council to the United Nations (WACUN) program lasted for four days from July 19 to 22. Throughout the conference, delegates polished the skills that would help them shine later on. “It’s another experience that will help delegates and press members alike. I think that for MUN you need more experience to gain confidence, and WACUN can help you do that,” said Jasmine Park, a press reporter. Most of the people who attended summer conferences such as WACUN were completely new to the concept of MUN and needed a lot of practice. “Since the majority of the people were new, they searched for help at times to each other when they were stuck on some-
thing,” said Sangwon Kim, a press reporter. ting acknowledged from MUNOS, it did In another program called the Model not help him a lot. Jiho Kim, the delegate United Nations of Seoul (MUNOS), del- of Israel, said, “I don’t see why summer egates from all around programs help Korea debated ON isbecause even sues such as earthquakes though I got and desertification. recognized at MUNOS was a new MUNOS, I experience for Yoon Jo couldn’t get Sul a student from Gawon into MUN.” middle school. Yoon Jo, a In the end, delegate of the Environ- and WACUN can help you do that. summer proment committee (ENV) -JASMINE PARK grams were said, “Usually, I don’t considered research on my own to very usefind out about current isful and as sues or happenings. Due to MUNOS, I a wake-up-call to the delegates. learned a lot while examining the issues.” “These past few days were awakenUnlike most of the other delegates ing because it reminded me how close who considered summer programs as the MUN season was coming up and useful, some people thought differently. how it would all become reality soon,” One of the delegates, Jiho Kim, re- said Michelle Lee, a WACUN delegate. ceived an honorary award along with Kevin Chun. However, despite the fact of get-
I think that for MUN you need
more experience
to gain confidence,