My First Avasara MUN
It all started on 20th November when I received my committee and the country which I was representing. I found out that I just had 8 days to submit a position paper which I had to write all on my own. After days of research, editing, and working hard, I finally submitted a position paper I was happy with.
Then finally the 7th of December arrived. I dressed up in my formals (which felt extremely awkward) and went to school. I was in the"United Nations High Commission of Refugees" and was a delegate of France. Our agenda was to design an economically feasible and fair system for the settlement of refugees. After the morning tea, we went to sit in our respective committees. Our Chair arrived. He was a chill person and didn't seem too strict which relieved me. My hands and legs were practically shaking by the thought of speaking up in front of the entire committee. I didn't know any of them, I wasn't sure of the correct procedures and protocols and a lot of them were experienced delegates.
Good for me, the Chair explained to us the protocol and I felt slightly more confident about not messing up. My turn came in the General Speakers' List where we had to briefly explain the country's stand. and I started speaking. I was shaking and could feel my voice tremble at times but I think I managed to hide it. Finally, when I ended, the Delegate of Poland said, "I want to point out a factual error. How can millions of refugees arrive every year when only 150,000 arrived between 2015-2017?"
I sat down on my chair fuming. "How dare he?? Had he even done his research about France? Well, I had so he doesn't hold any right to say anything and how mean could one be? Despite knowing that
I was a first-timer why did he have to be so evil and point this mistake?" I vow never to voluntarily speak again.
The committee proceeded, motions after motions were passed and I raised my placard only once. I was already nervous and didn't want others to feel like I was wasting time by adding unnecessary points. I had a notebook in which I didn't understand what I should write, how I should script those short 90 seconds of speech.
Soon after, we broke for lunch. Throughout this, a lot of people in the committee grew to hate the Delegate of Poland. Whenever we had an informal discussion, he acted so over-smart as if he was super smart and experienced. He was very dominating and the way he spoke, was such that even if he spoke rubbish one could believe it.
After we came back, everyone was tired of formal debate, GSLs, and Unmoderated caucuses so we decided to have a crisis. A crisis is a situation given by the chair which is related to the problem we are solving. It is made up and involves various countries present in the committee. For example, the situation that was given to us was that 18000 refugees ran away from Jordanian refugee camps. They ran into Iran and the Iranian air force conducted an airstrike that killed many refugees. Now that this happened, the delegate of Iran will have to justify the air force's actions. We would be given real-time updates. One such update was that a few women and children were shot by the Polish army in real-time and now the Polish delegate will have to justify the army's actions. It was the best part of the entire day as it was fast-paced and a lot of great points came up. Our Chair became the delegate of Syria since we didn't have one and there was an exciting debate between Poland's actions and how they were wrong. Our Chair roasted the delegate of Poland by saying that, "Tiny Poland has no right to say anything in this matter since you're so unwilling to take in refugees." It was savage and everyone went "oohh" and was banging on their desks with their hands loudly. I got the revenge I wanted. After a few more moderated caucuses, the first day ended.
The second day started off, as usual, the Chair seemed stricter today. Most of the committee went pretty fine. A few moderated caucuses and then we had to start working on our working paper. Initially, we were divided into 2 blocs, but we realized that it was not necessary. We did submit 2 different drafts of our working papers but could write one common draft resolution. As usual, the delegate of Poland typed out the entire resolution. After that came voting. I had thought a majority of the delegated would vote in favor since we had drafted it together. But as I had expected, the Delegate of Poland and a few others had to oppose it and thanks to them, our committee had FAILED. I was really annoyed now. This was the last straw. But unfortunately, I couldn't do anything than shooting him the meanest look ever. Doesn't he care about others' hard work if not his?
In the end, we actually passed a motion that the chair should entertain us which he didn't but, okay. Finally, the committee ended and we had to go for the prize distribution. I knew I wouldn't win because I hardly spoke but that's alright. I wanted to see who actually won. Obviously, the Delegate of Poland won the 'Best Delegate' award.
This was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. I learned a lot and I got to meet new people with new opinions. I couldn't participate much but now that I have experienced it once, I can't wait to go again next year.
Then finally the 7th of December arrived. I dressed up in my formals (which felt extremely awkward) and went to school. I was in the"United Nations High Commission of Refugees" and was a delegate of France. Our agenda was to design an economically feasible and fair system for the settlement of refugees. After the morning tea, we went to sit in our respective committees. Our Chair arrived. He was a chill person and didn't seem too strict which relieved me. My hands and legs were practically shaking by the thought of speaking up in front of the entire committee. I didn't know any of them, I wasn't sure of the correct procedures and protocols and a lot of them were experienced delegates.
Good for me, the Chair explained to us the protocol and I felt slightly more confident about not messing up. My turn came in the General Speakers' List where we had to briefly explain the country's stand. and I started speaking. I was shaking and could feel my voice tremble at times but I think I managed to hide it. Finally, when I ended, the Delegate of Poland said, "I want to point out a factual error. How can millions of refugees arrive every year when only 150,000 arrived between 2015-2017?"
I sat down on my chair fuming. "How dare he?? Had he even done his research about France? Well, I had so he doesn't hold any right to say anything and how mean could one be? Despite knowing that
I was a first-timer why did he have to be so evil and point this mistake?" I vow never to voluntarily speak again.
The committee proceeded, motions after motions were passed and I raised my placard only once. I was already nervous and didn't want others to feel like I was wasting time by adding unnecessary points. I had a notebook in which I didn't understand what I should write, how I should script those short 90 seconds of speech.
Soon after, we broke for lunch. Throughout this, a lot of people in the committee grew to hate the Delegate of Poland. Whenever we had an informal discussion, he acted so over-smart as if he was super smart and experienced. He was very dominating and the way he spoke, was such that even if he spoke rubbish one could believe it.
After we came back, everyone was tired of formal debate, GSLs, and Unmoderated caucuses so we decided to have a crisis. A crisis is a situation given by the chair which is related to the problem we are solving. It is made up and involves various countries present in the committee. For example, the situation that was given to us was that 18000 refugees ran away from Jordanian refugee camps. They ran into Iran and the Iranian air force conducted an airstrike that killed many refugees. Now that this happened, the delegate of Iran will have to justify the air force's actions. We would be given real-time updates. One such update was that a few women and children were shot by the Polish army in real-time and now the Polish delegate will have to justify the army's actions. It was the best part of the entire day as it was fast-paced and a lot of great points came up. Our Chair became the delegate of Syria since we didn't have one and there was an exciting debate between Poland's actions and how they were wrong. Our Chair roasted the delegate of Poland by saying that, "Tiny Poland has no right to say anything in this matter since you're so unwilling to take in refugees." It was savage and everyone went "oohh" and was banging on their desks with their hands loudly. I got the revenge I wanted. After a few more moderated caucuses, the first day ended.
The second day started off, as usual, the Chair seemed stricter today. Most of the committee went pretty fine. A few moderated caucuses and then we had to start working on our working paper. Initially, we were divided into 2 blocs, but we realized that it was not necessary. We did submit 2 different drafts of our working papers but could write one common draft resolution. As usual, the delegate of Poland typed out the entire resolution. After that came voting. I had thought a majority of the delegated would vote in favor since we had drafted it together. But as I had expected, the Delegate of Poland and a few others had to oppose it and thanks to them, our committee had FAILED. I was really annoyed now. This was the last straw. But unfortunately, I couldn't do anything than shooting him the meanest look ever. Doesn't he care about others' hard work if not his?
In the end, we actually passed a motion that the chair should entertain us which he didn't but, okay. Finally, the committee ended and we had to go for the prize distribution. I knew I wouldn't win because I hardly spoke but that's alright. I wanted to see who actually won. Obviously, the Delegate of Poland won the 'Best Delegate' award.
This was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. I learned a lot and I got to meet new people with new opinions. I couldn't participate much but now that I have experienced it once, I can't wait to go again next year.
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