Reflection

Being a delegate was definitely an exhilarating experience. However, training new students was something new. I enjoyed sharing my experience with first time MUNers. Giving them tips every now and then was fun to do. I also saw the old me in each one of them, when they struggled to understand the rules of procedure and the essence of the agenda. Explaining the outline of the procedure helped me understand it better too. Thought I didn't participate in the conference this time, I actually felt like I was, because of these training sessions. This experience has made me a thinker and an open minded person. I made sure not to hesitate to tell my team mates when they made mistakes, and helped them as much as I could. Having model sessions also gave me the opportunity to experience the role of a chairperson. Saying things like 'Thank you delegate', ' You have the floor' and ' This motion clearly passes' gave me a special kind of excitement, that I have never felt before. Taking all of them through a short journey of learning definitely improved my patience and tolerance. It was quite a challenge to make them finish work on time, as they paced out their work sometimes. It was difficult to resist showing anger at them and to be polite even when they wouldn't listen to me. However, that only happened once. They were very cooperative through out this journey. In fact, I learned a lot of things from them. Their methods of research were more efficient than the ones I followed last time. I was inspired by their enthusiasm, being just beginners.

Planning time lines keeping things organized in this activity developed my skill set as well. I am looking forward to work with another team and train them too.

Journal 12.3

I chaired another model session today for all my team members. Also, all the heads performed a model session for all the new MUNers. We showed them a sample resolution and answered all their questions as well. Some of my team mates didn't know how to go about with the research process. So I helped them with that and sent them website links to refer to, to understand country policies and status in social media.

Duration : 3 hours

Journal 12.2

Most of my team mates weren't still clear with the rules of procedure. So I gave them another explanation. I also prepared a short guide including the format of speech in moderated caucuses and in raising motions or points. We also had a model session which I chaired, so that they could experience an actual committee ambiance. I sent them more emails and gave them a lot of tips on how to present themselves in debates and in unmoderated caucuses. They were a little confused even after model sessions. However, they were thorough with the formal rules of procedure and the main agenda : Social media.

Duration : 3 hours

Journal 12.1

A step further into IIMUN, the training! This time, I am not participating. But I'm training my juniors and my friends who are going to their first MUN. I am training the students of the UNHRC ( United Nations Human Rights Council) based on their agenda : Rights in social media. Today, I gave them a brief introduction on the rules of procedure and also sent them emails regarding key points to remember while talking in the conference. Here is part of the thread :

Hello guys,

First of all, don't freak out. I know this email might be big. But trust me, it might help you understand things better. This mail is inform all of you about the opening speech. The opening speech is a formal speech that will be given at the beginning of the first committee session, and maybe a few times after that in the following committee sessions in the second day as well. The committee becomes more successful if the general speakers list happen on the second day as well. This is because the time given in the general speakers list helps you convey what you want to say after a moderated caucus or after any other intense debate that has just taken place. To be more specific, the first general speakers list will be the time in which you convey an opening speech. In the following general speakers lists, which will most likely be raised after a few moderated caucuses. Hence you can put forward your opinion in response to the caucus that has happened. Now, you may ask me why you cant put forward your response in the moderated caucus itself. Well that is because the time given for the moderated caucus may be only 10 minutes for which you may not be given a chance or enough time to speak for, or when only less than 2/3 of the committee has voted for the moderated caucus. The main difference between the moderated caucus and the general speakers list is that you can say anything in relation to the main issue in the general speakers list but you can only put forward your country's opinion in relation to a specific topic in the moderated caucus. Remember, both moderated caucus and general speakers list happen in a very formal manner. In the next email, i will tell you guys how to make your speeches formal enough. Again guys, don't stress out or worry too much. Although it seems complicated now, it will all go with a smooth flow in the dais as you see every other delegate talk.

Opening speech - formatMake sure all these points are written from your country's point of view:

1. Main elements of the issue

2. Causes of the issue

3. Political stand of your country (Include national policies)

4. Reference to past resolutions

5. Resolution that your country would like

Just for further help, i have attached my opening speech that i had prepared for my previous IIMUN. I was in the Special President's committee. The issue there was the kodaikanal mercury poisoning that led to the death of many people due to the inappropriate leakage of mercury from Unilever's factory. I was on the side of the government (against Unilever)

Good luck!

Regards,

Swathi

Duration : 3 hours