My First MUN Experience (Asia Youth International MUN 2019)

Hello, people of the internet!

So, I'm a newbie right now. Tryna' make a blog just to share my "Unpredictable Journey". lol.

Okay, let's start!

On August 25th-28th, 2019 I just did my very first MUN (Model United Nations) ever. Basically, Model United Nations is a simulation of United Nations Conference attended by students, referred to as Delegates, who are assigned a country to represent in one of the United Nations numerous committees with pre-set topics to debate. One of the MUN executors that I know is the International Global Network (IGN) with its program "Asia Youth International Model United Nations" or known as AYIMUN. Asia Youth International MUN is one of the biggest MUN in Asia.

One day I just lay on my bed and scrolling down my facebook pages. Suddenly there was one thing that attracts my attention. It is AYIMUN's ad. Without further ado, I registered myself and waiting for 3 days whether I got accepted or not. And after 3 days I got an email from them and voila I got an Acceptance Letter!

The Acceptance Letter

Long story short, I become one of their fixed delegates. And I have the opportunity to attend the conference :')

But, one thing that you have to know is about making a Position Paper regarding the topic and assigned country that you will represent. It's not as complicated as you think, but you have to do a lot of research.

Let's jump right into the first day of the conference.

August 25th, 2019
My flight was at 11.30 PM from Banda Aceh to Kuala Lumpur. I arrived at 2.40 PM (Malaysia time) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2. After the immigration and baggage kinda things have done, I met my roommate at the airport. And I was so happy because they're really nice and funny at the same time :D Shout out to my Indonesian fellas Andini and Yorin, I really miss you, girls! Afterward, my aunt picked us up and we're going to the hotel (Dorsett Putrajaya Hotel). In the lobby, we met such wonderful delegates. Their name is Sushmitha, Ashwini, Jia Yi, and Lan Jun. They came from India and China.

let's take a selfie

After a long talk, we decided to go to our room and get ready for the opening ceremony of AYIMUN 2019. This is my outfit for that night. And yeah, we have to dress formally just like a diplomat. Formal business attire is the official dress code for all sessions.

My outfit :)

The Opening Ceremony was held in Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC). It begins from 6.30 PM until 11.00 PM. The agenda consists of Diplomatic Dinner, Opening Grand Symposium, and MUN 101. There's a lot of speakers and performance too. One of the speakers is Putri Indonesia Frederica Cull.

Diplomatic Dinner with some new friends

After the Opening Ceremony

August 26th, 2019

The second day made me so nervous. Because this is the beginning of the meeting sessions. I was the representative of Armenia in the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) council. We were discussed about Human Security through Inclusive Socio-Economic Development. Almost all the delegates in the UNTFHS council were the first-timer. And that makes me a little relieved because we all gonna learn this together for the first time. Before we start with the formal rules of the sessions, the Chair and Co-Chair explained everything to us about MUN Procedures and how it works. English shall be the official working language of the session. The speeches, statements, motions, and points shall be made solely in English, while no other language shall be allowed during the sessions.

The Venue

Delegates must always refer to themselves in the third person by the name of the State or Organization they are representing, or with the first person plural. For example: “We believe..”, “Armenia believes…”, “The Delegate of Armenia believes…”, but not “I believe”. Placards and delegate’s identity cards are subject to the recognition by the Chair during the Committee Session. It means that, if you want to raise a motion, statements or points you have to raise your placard up high so you'll be recognized by the Chair.

Raise your placard up high.... (hi mounika haha)

Motions are proposed by delegates to drive the debate, such as proposing specific topics to be discussed by the council. Motions and points shall be raised when the floor is declared open by the Chair. There are several motions that are being used, such as a motion to set the agenda, motion for an unmoderated caucus or moderated caucus, motion to close/table the debate, motion to suspend the meeting, and motion to adjourn the meeting. And there are several points in order, such as point of personal privilege, point of parliamentary inquiry, and point of order. It is indeed really confusing but you will know clearly about it when you attend MUN someday ;)

Pay attention to other delegates speeches

A little bit chit-chat during the coffee break

The meeting sessions end up at 4.00 PM and it will be continued tomorrow.

August 27th, 2019

The last day of the conference!! Today, I got used to it. As usual, the meeting sessions consist of Roll Call, Moderated Caucus, Unmoderated Caucus, etc. We do a lot of Unmoderated Caucus on this day. Unmoderated Caucus also begins with a motion raised by the delegate to conduct an Unmoderated Caucus with specific total time. This Unmoderated Caucus facilitates delegates to deliberate their ideas and interests through the delegate-to-delegate conversational approach. This is also the right time for delegates to find allies, form blocs, as well as composing working papers and draft resolutions regarding the topics.

Unmoderated Caucus

Working Paper is used by Delegates to present their ideas and information regarding the topic that has been discussed previously. Meanwhile, Draft Resolution contains solutions and contents to address the issue being debated, draft resolution has rigid formats, such as the sponsors, signatories, as well as perambulatory and operative clauses. After the Chair recognizes draft resolutions, the sponsors of draft resolutions can introduce their draft resolutions by raising a motion. After that, The Chair will open question and answer session so that other delegates in the council can ask questions regarding the draft resolution being presented. After the debate on a draft resolution has been closed, a delegate may motion to vote on a set of operative clauses separately. 

So... here we are !! After an exhausting meeting sessions :D 

UNTFHS Council

see you on top guys!!

The meeting sessions end up at 2.30 PM. Because there will be a closing ceremony at 7.00 PM. My roommate and i decided to go back to the hotel and swim!! Fyi, we have really good friends here that stay in the same hotel as us. Their name is Chriss and Alok. Hi guys!! :D

my crazy team :D

selfieee timeee

Unfortunately, the rain forced us to stop swimming. Afterward, we have to get ready for the Closing Ceremony. In the Closing Ceremony, we have to wear our traditional clothes from our country. It's not mandatory, but this is the right time for us to show our traditional clothes in the International Forum right? So, I'm wearing Kebaya and Ulos (the traditional cloth from North Sumatera/Bataknese) for the night.

Awkward pose

The Closing Ceremony was really exciting because there's a lot of people all over the world using their traditional clothes. And we took pictures together.

Even though I didn't get an award in my first MUN, but the experience is beyond amazing. I met a lot of intelligent and talented young people from more than 70 countries here. And I'm proud to be one of the Delegates of AYIMUN 2019!

When you allow yourself to be unpredictable,  you step from the known into the unknown, where anything is possible - Deepak Chopra.

So, this is one of my "Unpredictable Journey". Thank God for everything. And I can't wait to share my another "Unpredictable Journey" with you. 

I hope you guys are well informed :)

With love,

Sarah