Reflection

Interacting with more than hundreds of delegates from different countries was undoubtedly one of the best experiences I've ever had. The best part of this MUN was meeting Harvard graduates. They were the ones who chaired all committees. They also shared their experience in Harvard and gave us a brief introduction about the university and talked about their personal opinions. The highest level of exposure is when you meet a lot of people from diverse backgrounds, different countries and various cultures at the same place. HMUN created that amazing opportunity for us. It was definitely a privilege to be a part of this conference for four continuous days. Every committee session was a new lesson for me. It was challenging to keep up to the other delegates' levels while talking and lobbying. However, the knowledge I gained is what matters. Now, I know how to carry myself confidently while speaking on the dais. I also know how to research and prepare prior to the conference. Moreover, every other delegate in my committee room taught me how to behave diplomatically at every point of time, whether it is hard core debate or just lobbying. One more thing I noticed many times was that most of the delegates didn't look into any paper while talking. Some of them had a small paper in hand which they looked into hardly twice while speaking. That showed me how thorough they were with the information. They didn't struggle or stammer even a single time. The absence of inhibitions in their speeches taught me new lessons too. Though they were experienced in MUNing, they made sure to give us, the beginners, a chance to talk in every unmoderated caucus. My chair, Bennett Vogt, helped us through out the sessions too. I can feel the increase in confidence levels inside me now. This journey has definitely made me a better communicator and more knowledgeable.

Journal 11.8 : Final day!

We only had one committee session today, for 2.5 hours. We voted on the amendments made yesterday and a few more new ones, after discussing them in moderated caucuses. Few of the amendments included deleting entire clauses, while the others were just adding more terms to existing clauses to specify them. We then came to voting on both resolutions. Unfortunately, the opposite side's resolution got passed. Most of them supported the recognition of territorial claims as they as countries didn't want to to give up their territorial rights just to work in unity with every other country. Well, what matters is that we got a resolution passed. We then motioned for an entertainment session for the last 15 minutes. We took pictures after that and then went to the closing ceremony. The delegate of Guatamala won the best delegate. He definitely deserved the award for his excellent communicating skills. Though i didn't manage to win an award, I'm happy to carry the experience i earned, back home.

Duration : 3 hours

Journal 11.7 : Third is a charm

Today, we worked with our bloc countries and started forming draft resolutions. The number of unmoderated caucuses exceeded moderated caucuses today as we needed to do a lot of lobbying to get people to join our bloc. We had to convince people by proving that eliminating territorial claims would be more beneficial for Antarctica. We spent most of our time framing draft resolutions and discussing them in moderated caucuses today. We had the most number of committee sessions today. So it did get a little boring in the middle. However, it was a productive day overall. At the end of the last committee session today, we started making amendments to our resolution  after the presentation and question-answer session for each of the resolutions.
After dinner, we had the delegate dance! We went crazy dancing continuously for 2 hours.

Duration : 9 hours

Jounral 11.6 : Second day!

We had two committee session today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We discussed territorial claims, bio prospecting, gender inequalities and military. We began forming blocs within the committee as some were for recognizing territorial claims and some were completely against recognizing territorial claims. The delegate of Canada initiated one bloc which i was of a part of and the delegate of U.S.A formed another bloc. We had many unmoderated caucuses today which we formed working papers in. Most of the delegates in my committee were well prepared and highly experienced. Hence, it was quite a challenge to stand up to that level while debating and lobbying. I still tried my best. Our chair asked us to submit our position papers again with citations. So I added the citations and sent it again to my chair. After the committee sessions, we had this leadership forum organized by the Flames university. Great speakers like Vikas Swaroop, the author of the book Q&A, which the movie Slumdog millionaire was adopted from and the vice president of Coca cola. Their speeches were so inspirational.
Later, we attended the HMUN India has got Talent show. Delegates ca
me on to stage an performed graceful dances and breathtaking songs.

Duration : 8 hours

Journal 11.5 : First day!

We departed from Coimbatore at 7.50 a.m and landed at Hyderabad at 9.30 a.m. The HMUN team provided transport to go to the hotel from the airport. We immediately got ready and left to the HICC (the venue of the conference). We ate lunch and then attended a session in which a few directors gave a summary of the rules of procedure. After that, we went to the opening ceremony. The director general ad secretary general gave short speeches and welcomes us all to the four day conference. There was an opening classical dance, which happens every time at the beginning of HMUN as a tradition. A few officials then lit the lamp. Finally, the director general announced the conference officially open. An hour later, we went to our first committee session. Our director, Bennett Vogt introduced himself to us and then gave us a brief introduction on the committee agenda. We then moved into the general speakers list. I decided not to speak for the first day, so that i could just listen to other people and get a clear idea of the proceedings. However, after listening to everybody, I felt like speaking as well. So i gave a short speech in the moderated caucus on the topic Bio-prospecting. Our chair wasn't in favor for any unmoderated caucus. So I couldn't lobby with other delegates. The committee session was for 2 and a half hours. Later, we went to eat dinner. That time, I talked to other delegates in the committee and made friends with them.

Duration : 4 hours 

Journal 11.4 : All set to leave!

I did my last minute research today. I went through my position paper to check if everything was fine and then researched a little bit more on the guiding questions given in the background guide. Those involved territorial claims, tourism, illegal fishing and whaling, military, gender inequality and sea bed claims. Learning more about these subtopics helped me make a framework of the agenda. I also had a few ideas for moderated caucus topics. After making our research binders, we began getting ready to leave. We took copies of our passports, and school id cards. Our teachers Mr.Rolf and Ms. Elizabeth informed us on what to bring for the four day trip. Now we're all set to leave!

Duration : 6 hours

Journal 11.3 : Writing my position paper

Writing a position paper is extremely important in HMUN. It will tell the committee about your delegation and what stance it takes. The position paper consists of 3 parts. The first part talks about the main issues. The second part talks about you country's national policies and your political stance. The last part talks about previous resolutions and the resolutions your country would like to see in the final resolution. I researched a little bit more and then started writing my position paper. Here it is,

POSITION PAPER

Committee: Economic and Social Council & Regional Bodies 

Topic: Antarctic Treaty Secretariat

Country: Bulgaria

School: The Indian Public School

A. The uniqueness and natural wild beauty of Antarctica is obliged to be preserved, obeying the Antarctic treaty ever since the beginning of it in 1959. However, this blessed continent is being deprived of its rich resources and biodiversity, and hence inclining towards diminishing isolation.

The Antarctic Treaty was ratified during the Cold war, after which entered seven claimant countries who made permanent territorial claims. There were various research teams that ignited the importance of this southern most continent after strenuous competitive expeditions that still hold significance in history. Perhaps ownership issues were once resolved by signing the Antarctic Treaty. However , many countries are now silently maneuvering to make land ownership mainly in King George Island, the only ice-free region. Subsequently, some of the bases seem more of land settlements rather than research stations.ⁱ Also, illegal and unregulated fishing has lead to an unbalance in the entire southern ocean ecosystem. These issues could go against the articles of the treaty and would make the destruction of the world's last great wilderness stand a victim of human activities. Keeping in mind that the treaty is coming to an end, these issues should be resolved at the soonest to save the existence of such a continent.

B. Bulgaria had become a consultative party in 1998 after signing the treaty in 1978. Being a full rights member, Bulgaria shows interest in developing scientific research and thereby strengthening the Antarctic treaty.

It has shown great commitment in biodiversity and tourism management. Minimizing the cumulative footprint of human activities takes high priority in Bulgaria's vision. Bulgaria has also involved in strengthening the climate change component of polar research to promote an evidence based policy. Taking these forward, Bulgaria hopes to address climate change, resource deficiency, and implementation of environmentally friendly technologies under international cooperation.ⁱⁱ

C. As a nation, Bulgaria would support the following decisions in the resolution :

The resolution written shall support all scientific research programs in the interest for future generations and for sustainable development on earth. Focus on the the field of science is extremely important in order to preserve the ecosystem of the southern ocean regulate climatic changes. Ozone depletion, being the pressing issue today in the Arctic will lead to disastrous effects if it is not taken care of. PSCs, polar stratospheric clouds, which form instantly in the extreme cold of the Antarctic region, play a major role in enhancing the ozone depletion. An overall cooling trend due to this, has masked warm temperatures. Considering this issue, it is not only the ozone depletion that causes threat but also increased tourism which stands the prime cause. Thus this factor must be sought to at hand as well.ⁱⁱⁱ

Recognizing existing territorial claims and also issuing new ones for additional countries will help resolve the issue sooner as more countries can participate in . Fishing rights must be given only to countries that seek expansion of scientific interest. The region must solely be used for scientific research into environment and protection of ecosystems.

Bulgaria believes that all signatories must contribute in unity to preserve this significant region of earth, despite their differences in governance, politics and religious traditions since they posses developed economies, industry and science. Bulgaria will continue to be a loyal partner in all scientific programs and will strive to achieve international cooperation for the future of Antarctica.

i https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_depletion

ii President's speech

iii https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_depletion

Journal 11.2 : More research...

Today, I did more research after studying the background guide again. I skimmed through the reports of  Antarctic Treaty Committee Meetings (ATCM) that happened in Bulgaria. That gave me a better understanding of what Bulgaria wants to do to solve this issue.I also read articles regarding the isolation of Antarctica and read speeches given by the president of Bulgaria in meetings. I tried looking for answers to the questions given in the guide as well.

Duration : 3 hours

Journal 11.1 : Back to MUNing!

I am going to my second MUN, hosted by the Harvard University (HMUN) next month. This time, I have been designated the delegation of Bulgaria in the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat committee of the Economic and Social council & Regional bodies. Today, I read through the background study guide provided by their organization and understood the nuance of the issue and why it holds great significance in this world. The main issue that shall be discussed in this committee is the diminishing isolation of Antarctica that had been a result of increased tourism activities and consequently harm to the natural wilderness of the region. It's high time that we discuss this issue now as the Antarctic treaty is coming to an end. As far as I have researched till now, I find this issue very interesting. I hope to come with more ideas for the committee session. Before that, I would have to start working on my position paper, which is a single page document that explains your stance and political position in the committee.

Duration : 3 hours