By Shalini Perera
Have you ever felt the urge to voice out your opinions on issues that seem solution-less, and yet heard that little voice telling you you're too young or too ‘inexperienced’ to speak on such topics. Really? Yes? Okay, well then let’s talk about MUN.
This year, members of Model United Nation societies from schools across the island, including AIS, gathered for the annual series of conferences hosted by the Overseas School of Colombo. This series of conferences - also called COMUN XXVIII - took place from the 5th of February to the 6th of March, balancing between physical and online meetings.
The process involving preparation for COMUN 2022 started a month before the actual conference, and involved a series of PDs (Practice Debates) followed by the actual 3-part series of conferences.
COMUN is pretty much a huge deal,, as most of the work done at MUN meetings acts as training for COMUN. Given the age range of MUN in AIS being from 14 to 19, the contribution of thoughts, ideas and concepts is fueled by minds of vastly different environments, resulting in ample discussions with each forthcoming meeting.
“I definitely got to learn a lot more…at the same time I got to [better familiarize] regarding the topic.” says Tanushree Biswas, a member of the prestigious society since 2021. “It definitely gave me a better insight and understanding of the topic [relevant to my committee] and it’s role in the world”
Participating in the event, as big of a deal it already is, not only creates moments of treasurable experience, but also gives students a chance to win awesome prizes. This year, 5 students of AIS were selected as members of the executive committee of the event. The committee counted AIS’ students (pictured from left to right) Tasneem Lukmangee, Vinuki Medagama, Chatma Punchihewa, David Maurice & Venuk Rajakarier.
Among these students Venuk Rajakarier was recognised as the ‘Best Chairperson’ and David Maurice, the ‘Best Non-chairperson’. AIS cheered their victory on as they ‘brought home’ the prizes.
Even though the purpose of events like these, in relevance to growth through education, is to acquire more knowledge about current humanitarian and environmental issues popping up around the world, one could say that winning a prize would pay off. On that note we congratulate AIS’ prize winners; kudos to y'all!
As the members of MUN in schools including our own continue the consistency of each meeting, they eagerly await another COMUN meeting coming up.
Tanushree tells us what MUN is in relevance to its priority in her extra-curricular activities, “I’ve learnt a lot more and when I say a lot more, I mean when I read [anything], I have a better understanding. [In MUN] you have to do a lot of research, read a lot of articles; my reading has improved in speed and [technicality]”
"We’ve all heard people tell us to join MUN because ‘it looks so great on your CV’ and is really ‘useful when it comes to joining good Universities’. “Yes that is part of it, but the best part of it is having fun, learning more and making new friends.” says Tanushree.
“Yeah, MUN really is worth it.”
Comments