THE JOURNEY OF A DELEGATE

THE JOURNEY OF A DELEGATE

MY FIRST MUN CONFERENCE

My story began in the 1st week of August when I received my country's and community's allotment. I got to know that I had become the Delegate of Republic of Indonesia at the World Health Organization. I cannot imagine that at first I was mourning like anything when I got to know that I was a part of WHO as I wanted only and only UNESCO. At the end, I realized that how foolish I had been to be mourning for it as being in WHO only built a strong base for my future MUNs.

PLACARD OF THE PMUN CONFERENCE WITH THE CHAIRPERSON'S FEEDBACK ON IT

From then on, I started my research. I'd never thought that I'll get to know about epidemics, maternal and neonatal mortality rates, hospital status, maternal health  burden etc. just in 7th grade. This provided me with awesome knowledge about the world. 

Then, I even made a position paper I had thought will never prove to be the best in the committee as the format was questioned thrice. But really, I have got to say that it was a combined achievement of all those who were collaborated with me and helped me in making it a good one.

During 1 week before the simulation, I started taking help from a school teacher, Vishal Sir. Really, he was a marvellous trainer who made my research extremely amazing. Just because of him, I got to learn even more and my concepts became crystal clearer.

After all this research and preparations, there arrived 25th August which was the 1st day of this conference of 3 days. I was more than fortunate to have my two of the best friends Khushi Gaba and Ishita Tayal along with me as the conference staff of WHO.

INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Really, the setting was cool and there was a feel of real United Nations. After the roll calls, the conference came into action. I felt very fortunate to be a part of WHO as the Executive Board at the committee had really been so thoughtful about the first doers. They had worked so hard and designed the complete guide portal keeping the struggles of the early MUNers in mind. Have to say, that the Executive Board was a combination of friends and mentors. They made multiple things much easier for me and cooperated to no end. 

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

The conference came into session with the discussion of the health issues. Oh, at the start itself, great pieces of information were delivered. Even though, I wasn't so prepared for the topic which has been mentioned above, it was a great learning for me to listen to the speeches delivered by the fellow delegates. Everyone was great in the own way and gave tough competition to each other.

WHAT THE CANADIAN DELEGATE HAS TO SAY ABOUT HEALTH

MOTION BEING VOTED UPON

I spoke in a few MODs but for few, I wasn't actually prepared. I indeed had no idea about the motions which were going to be passed and unfortunately, had no electronic in hand to surf the internet. Can't imagine that I got to know about the loop holes in the Millennium Development Goals, refugee crises, education's impacts on health and the -ve ways in which terrorism impacts the health sector. In the Unmoderated Caucuses, we got to propose the delegates of other countries and decide the complete flow of the conference. The chit passing was another important part.

CHIT PASSING GOING ON

Writing substantive chits to the EB was another important marking factor. Even though I couldn't score that good in the area of substantive chits, I was indeed enlightened about how to present the substantive chits and what all content is supposed to be displayed. The Executive Board consisted of Arnab Sir (Chairperson of the committee), Damini Ma'am (Vice Chairperson of the committee) & Vrinda Ma'am (Substantive Director of the committee). They all cleared the lest minor doubts and made the whole conference much easier for me. When I couldn't understand the explanation of the recommendation report, the Executive Board was the one who helped me and explained the whole thing once again.

Although, all the three Executive Board members were truly brilliant and supportive, the Chairperson was the most admired one by me. 

On day 2nd, we completed the session and started plotting the points for the committee recommendation report. We covered the areas of education,terrorism, health issues in the developing countries, epidemics and health solutions. Learning from the committee feedback delivered on day 1st, all the delegates including me started putting more & more analysis in our speech. My god, Delegates of USA, UK, Pakistan, Cuba and Netherlands were so great that I had started thinking that I stood no chance in front of them. I thought that my marks will turn out to be very devastating as I had no confidence over my research and analysis.

After the whole session and discussion was done, we played a game of anonymous chits. Delegates were passing chits to each other without mentioning their country. Some delegates even went further to write chits which said Britishers Leave India (to the delegate of UK) and Kashmir is ours (to the delegate of Pakistan). I was shocked that a delegate appreciated my research as I had an impression that I was the weakest in the conference. But, that chit built my confidence once again. In my chit, I got to show my gratefulness to the EB. 

ANONYMOUS CHITS BEING READ OUT

On day 3rd, we finally made a committee report keeping all points in mind regarding the health policies of the countries. Though, all the delegates weren't equally acknowledged in it and their ideas weren't even considered useful and were being treated as left overs by the delegate of USA. Anyways, our ideas were respected by the delegate of Pakistan who even went on to argue with the delegate of USA for his juniors. He took the total charge of an elder brother. Finally, our recommendation report was passed by all the delegates. Even if a single delegate would have voted against it then it would have failed completely.

 I along with the delegate of Italy received the Best Position Paper award. How surprising it was for me as I had crossed the page limit of 2 pages.

After the adjournment of the debate, we moved to the Maneckshaw auditorium for the closing ceremony. Great dance and music performances were given by the students of our school. Special chief guests had also arrived.

ARRIVAL OF THE CHIEF GUESTS

DANCE AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES

After the award ceremony, I received the final feedback from the EB. I was given a life remembering advice  that keeping away from speaking due to nervousness was no good. I was told that I could write substantive chits even if I was not sure of the content. I was given the tips of making the best use of my research and analysis to achieve even more. They even praised me for my efforts and found the scopes of improvement. Indeed, all these words will always stay with me for life long as they have not only proven to be helpful for MUNs but also for the other things in life.

I still remember a few delegates who became great friends of mine like Gauri (Delegate of Canada), Manasvi (Delegate of Nigeria) and Farkhunda Firuzi (Delegate of Germany).

Next day that's on August 29th, we started our normal routine and classes were taken up as usual in the school. The friendship of Disha, Ishita, Khushi and Devishi grew stronger and continued. Keeping the conference aside, I opened my books and started studying for the exams. After one whole month, delegate of Indonesia became Devishi Aggarwal once again. How lively the journey of this delegate was. Wow.

 NOW WAITING FOR THE PMUN 2018 

TO RETURN WITH THE NEW STRATEGY.

TILL THEN OFF TO PRACTICING THE DAILY ROUTINE AND EXPLORING MORE JOYOUS THINGS OF LIFE.

THANKS FOR READING!!!!!