Debating Development
Written by Mr. Torrannce
This past weekend, the CIAMUN team of 12 delegates traveled to Taipei American School to engage with geopolitical development issues at their annual TASMUN conference. This 17th iteration of the conference focused on Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8, education and economic growth, respectively. The weekend was fun and fruitful with many of our delegates drafting final resolutions to help solve global issues.
One of our team members was acting as a chair for the United Nations Human Rights Council committee. To become a chair, delegates need to submit an application, write an essay, and be interviewed by the conference. We are proud of the work that this chair put in to represent our school as a leader at this conference.
This conference also allowed two of our delegates to try a new form of debate procedure called UN4MUN. This procedure was designed to better mimic the actual experience of debating in the real United Nations. It allows for a more free flowing debate where ideas can be presented immediately from the delegates’ seats without the need to be added to a speaking list. The delegates must reach a consensus on the issue being debated before the debate moves on. Both of our delegates involved in these committees really enjoyed the experience of learning a new procedure and participated enthusiastically in their committees.
We also had two delegates debating in their first MUN conference ever, although you wouldn’t have known it. Each of the new delegates confidently rose to the occasion (and the podium) to deliver clear and concise speeches. Our team was proud of how engaged they were in an environment that can feel overwhelming. This is especially true at a conference with over 500 delegates from all around Asia.
On the ride back in the van, one thing was clear. Our delegates also made many new friends. Instagram handles were exchanged and conversations continued digitally even after the conference had finished. As important as the debates are at these conferences, the social engagement with a diverse group of students is equally as beneficial to our delegates’ growth as Munions.
