AIS Hosts Successful MUN For Change Conference

The Australian International School (AIS) recently played host to the Model United Nations For Change (MUN4C) conference. This annual charity event, held from the 24th to the 26th of November 2023, brought together students from various international schools in Singapore for a unique and impactful experience.

Unravelling MUN4C: A Forum for Global Perspectives

Understanding MUN (Model United Nations)

For those unfamiliar, Model United Nations (MUN) is a conference where students step into the shoes of diplomats, representing individual countries. These young minds engage in impassioned debates on resolutions concerning current global affairs, striving to determine collective actions for the betterment of nations. Each student, as a country delegate, shoulders the responsibility of comprehending their assigned nation’s stance on the given topic or issue.

Collaborative Diplomacy in Action

During the conference, delegates form groups to collaboratively draft resolutions, which are later debated by the entire committee. This dynamic process involves speeches, persuasive discussions, and the opportunity for nations to express support or opposition. MUN directors oversee the proceedings, while admins manage behind-the-scenes logistics.

A Charitable Cause: MUN4C Supports the Red Cross

The MUN4C conference had a dual purpose – fostering diplomatic skills and contributing to charitable causes. The chosen beneficiaries, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Singapore Red Cross will receive a substantial donation, a testament to the event’s success in raising funds for a meaningful cause.

Year 11 students and event organisers Kiana, Yujin and Beth

Student-Led Success: Organising Committee’s Triumph

The entire event was orchestrated by three Secondary school Year 11 students – Yujin, Beth, and Kiana. Yujin served as the Secretary-General, with Beth and Kiana as Deputy Secretary-Generals. Despite the challenges of a smaller team, their dedication and meticulous planning ensured the conference’s seamless execution. 

Participating in the event were 9 other international schools in Singapore UWC Dover, St Joseph Institution International (SJII), Chatsworth, German European School Singapore (GESS), Canadian International School (CIS), International French School (IFS), ISS International School, Anglo Chinese School (independent), and Dover Court International School.

AIS Principal Adam Patterson shared his sentiments on the impact of the MUN conference, stating, “The Model United Nations Conference is a unique platform that not only fosters critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills but also cultivates a deep understanding of global affairs and diplomacy.” He extended his appreciation to the organising committee, saying, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Model United Nations (MUN) organising committee for their outstanding efforts in making this conference possible. Your hard work and dedication have provided us with a remarkable platform for diplomacy and global learning. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to this event.”

Varied Committees, Varied Discussions

The conference featured eight committees, each addressing 2-3 critical topics:

• Economics and Social Council (ECOSOC): Tackling digital technology as a source of discrimination against women, addressing domestic violence, and exploring issues related to high birth rates in developing countries.
• Human Rights Council (HRC): Discuss ways to enhance freedom of expression, navigate migration challenges in various countries, and address issues surrounding the death penalty.
• Environment Council (UNEP): Delving into waste management improvements, primary resource extraction concerns, and measures to enhance farming practices.
• United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF): Crafting actions to end violence against the LGBTQ community, finding ways to increase children’s education rates, and addressing challenges in international adoption.
• UN Women: Focusing on ending violence against women, altering the treatment of female soldiers, and addressing women’s leadership and political participation issues.
• World Health Organization (WHO): Exploring measures for emergency care provision, preventing foodborne diseases, and addressing the question of abortion.
• UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): Legislating for cross-border international cybercrime and minimising the transportation of illicit substances internationally.
• Security Council (SC): Crafting measures to end the conflict in Ukraine and ensuring lasting sustainability in Mali.

Organiser Insights: Overcoming Challenges

The organisers, Yujin, Beth, and Kiana, faced numerous challenges. Yujin shares “We encountered numerous challenges while organising this event. Hosting the MUN conference demanded a significant amount of time and effort, so it was very important for us to balance our school life and MUN commitments. Sending invitation letters, managing finances, reaching out to schools, coordinating with the charity, ordering MUN materials, arranging logistics, and confirming various details were just a few aspects. The journey was long and demanding, encountering different challenges from the beginning to the end. Despite these challenges, we remained positive and held short meetings during breaks or lunch to work on our tasks efficiently. Making a weekly schedule helped me a lot in managing both my school life and MUN commitments.” 

Principal Adam Patterson’s acknowledgment was echoed by Yujin, who stated, “Attending MUN conferences that are hosted by different schools in Singapore was also helpful as it allowed me to experience conferences as an external student. These previous MUN experiences allowed me to realise what will work and what won’t work in the conference.” Kiana added, “Due to our small team, we knew that we needed to reach out to other members within our school to get additional support for the actual conference. Many people in Year 11 were keen to lend us a helping hand, giving up their weekend to act as admins and photographers in addition to navigating the 160+ delegates that were there.”

Leaving a Lasting Impact: MUN4C’s Contribution to Global Awareness

Yujin highlighted the conference’s role in raising awareness about global issues “We believe that researching these global affairs, addressing them at the conference, and discussing future actions that nations should take will help raise awareness of these global issues. As students gain more passion and interest in these global affairs through the MUN conference, we hope that these small steps can create a significant impact in the future, positively influencing the world.”

Kiana shared her most memorable moment, stating, “Throughout the whole planning process, I was able to better embrace uncomfortable ambition. It was such a large event to create with only Yujin, Beth, and I, so I knew the workload would be a lot in addition to all the other school events we were already planning as well as IB.” She continued, “This whole experience would have not been so rewarding, fulfilling, and fun if it weren’t for them [Yujin and Beth].”

Supporting a Worthy Cause: The Financial Impact

The conference’s success extended beyond diplomatic discussions. The funds raised for the Red Cross organisations will contribute to global crisis alleviation efforts. While the exact utilisation remains unspecified, the organisers believe that addressing global affairs through MUN conferences can create a lasting impact on future generations.

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