The United Nations in the Student Version
By Hyunwoo Kwon

What are your thoughts when you think of an international school’s extracurricular activities? A varsity sports team consisting of tall, handsome foreign students might be it. This might come up in your mind, but in my mind, one of the first things I can think of is Model United Nations, also known as MUN. In foreign language schools and international schools, people always talk about their experiences in MUN after they've been to a conference, and students who haven't been to one always have no idea what their friends are saying. So, what is this thing that everybody's talking about?

MUN is a fun program in which students play the role of delegate and chairs just like in a real UN conference. In other words, MUN is a simulation of the UN done by students. Typically, there are many forums such as the General Assembly 1, 3, and 4, Security Council, Human Rights Council, Disarmament Committee, Special Committee, Advisory Panel, but it may vary depending on the conference. In big conferences such as THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations), BEIMUN (Beijing Model United Nations), and SEOMUN (Seoul Model United Nations), there are likely to be more delegates in a committee, and more committees are likely to be added. Delegates all over from the Asian continent, or even from all corners of the world, participate in the conference, making it more exciting and intriguing. This is held not only in Asia but also in other continents.

In per committee, there are a varying number of delegates. In the Security Council, there are 15 delegates just like the United Nations. In committees such as the General Assembly and the Disarmament Committee, there are often more than 100 people. So what do delegates do in these committees? They debate on resolutions that they have written. A resolution is a formal text about what to do to solve a real world problem. In the United Nations, delegates debate on whether the resolutions would be passed or not. If the resolution is favorable towards the delegate's country, then the delegate will try to make it pass. But if it's not favorable to the delegate's country, the delegate will go against it and make it fail. Recently, China vetoed a resolution regarding the human rights violation in Myanmar because it went against the country's stance. Like this, delegates in MUN will do try to make some resolutions pass, but also will try to fail some resolutions. So who cares if resolutions fail or pass? Why is it so important? If a resolution passes, countries will have to carry out the resolution. However, if the resolution fails, they don't have to. If a resolution demanding North Korea's denuclearization passes, then North Korea will have to try its best to denuclearize. So, to create better resolutions that will help everyone in the world, delegates submit amendments to cover up the resolution's flaws. Amendments can change clauses or even delete them with the chair's approval.

Amidst all this, wouldn't it be chaotic for delegates to debate by themselves? To prevent this, 3 people-1 chair and 2 deputy presidents-take care of the overall process of debate. The chair takes care of the overall debate, and the deputy presidents assist the chair. The chair approves amendments and advises on what points of the resolution should the delegates fix. Although many people think that a chair is an easy position, they don't say this after they have been chairs or deputy presidents themselves.

Why is MUN helpful? It seems hard and complex. Indeed, MUN is hard and sophisticated. However, because it is hard, students can develop their improvisation and debate skills. Students will have to persuade other students in order to pass their resolution or to make their opponent's resolutions fail. In the first time, this might seem hard, but after doing this for a few times, students will get the hang out of it and improve their debate skills. Also, students can view world issues from wider perspective. To be specific, students will have to know their allies, enemies, and who should they work with. To do this, students will have to meticulously research over each country's position. Thus, they will have improved research skills. Finally, this can be used in college applications. Regardless of the major, most college value MUN. This is especially useful for political major students, as they can experience what will happen in their future.

Want to improve your skills in debating and making speeches? Do MUN. Want to improve research skills? Do MUN. Want to have something special and extra to write on your college applications? Do MUN!