Voices of Change
I had an engaging and highly productive weekend as I participated in a Model United Nations (MUN) conference. MUNs are simulations of negotiations that take place in the United Nations. Several pertinent and prevalent problems are discussed — access to education for refugees, the state of press in India, encouraging economic growth in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing relief to migrants around the world, and many more.
The most challenging, yet thrilling part of MUNs is that each participant is allotted a country or portfolio. For example, as a participant, I could represent Yemen, or Germany, or France, or India. I would be expected to tackle the issue at hand keeping in mind my country’s stance and foreign policy. I cannot blatantly support a country that I’ve been at war with for several decades!
Since every country has varied perspectives, resources, population rates, and GDP levels, disagreements between delegates continually emerge. All delegates try their best to defend their country’s position and bring up solutions that would be the most suitable for their country.
In my recent MUN, I took part in a rather unique and specialized committee — International Press Corps (IPC). We had highly stimulating and thought-provoking discussions throughout the three days of the conference.
More than anything else though, I enjoyed the opening ceremony which was organized by the host school. It was a virtual connect on Zoom with around 200 people attending. First, we were addressed by a member at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Yes, that’s right! A member of the UNHCR himself! We were informed that he’d be observing our discourse. Furthermore, at the end of the 3-day conference, all the solutions deliberated were to be presented to the UN body, and depending on their feasibility they would be implemented! It is heart-warming to see that the ideas of the youth are being given such importance.
Next, we were addressed by a teacher who, through a 4-minute video conveyed an extremely powerful and inspirational message.
A race. That’s how it started. Several students were arranged in a horizontal line. They were told that on winning, they would receive a $100 note.
But this was no ordinary race. The referee did not scream “On your Mark, Get Set, Go!”. Instead, he read out a list of statements. If they applied to the student then they would be expected to take 2 steps forward. Some of these statements include “Take 2 steps forward if you had access to private education”, “Take 2 steps forward if you never had to wonder where your next meal was going to come from”.
In this process, a certain class of people was closer to the finish line than others. At the end of the experiment, the referee highlighted “Every statement I have made has nothing to do with anything any of you have done”. In other words, those at the front may not have necessarily earned those opportunities. He stated that if anyone is in the lead, it is simply because he was presented with opportunities that he may not have worked for. “We would be foolish to not realize that we’ve been given more opportunity”.
Often, individuals forget the chances that they have been offered; they forget how privileged they are. We’re so caught up in our own worries — school projects, office work, our boss and manager, school tests and exams, familial disputes. We forget to reflect on the problems others in the world experience — harassment, extreme levels of poverty, discrimination, etc.
This is the reason MUN conferences play an indispensable role — on participating in MUNs students realize for themselves the amount of work that needs to be done, the change that needs to be created. We suddenly become more aware and intrigued by the world around us. There is a sudden urge igniting within and seeking change, change for the better. We want our voices to be heard, our thoughts to be acknowledged, our solutions to be implemented.
However, many children decide not to participate because it’s not their ‘thing’. They claim that they are not passionate debaters, so MUNs are not meant for them. Clearly, numerous people are missing the point — MUNs are not only activities that help people improve their communication skills, but more importantly a platform for children to form and express opinions. All individuals have their own identity, their own minds. So everyone certainly has the potential to come up with innovative and unique points.
Yes, initially you may face challenges if you’re not an eloquent orator, but eventually, you learn! It’s very satisfying as well because at the end of your 2–3 day conference, the sea of knowledge you gather is immense.
This is a message I would like to leave you with, a message that I’ve learnt through my newly started MUNning journey.
Your voice matters and you alone can create an impact.
Note: To see the video I was referring to, use the following link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyl4EJhq47A
