By Jenny Suh and George Jieh
“Is this issue relevant to facilitating peace?” “What action can we take to involve my country?” and even “Does this tie make me look fat?” inquired students as the six General Assembly committees started with a bang this Wednesday. With topics ranging from blood diamonds to the economic development of land-locked Asian countries, the General Assembly forums inspired high hopes among the participants of this year’s conference. “I’m really excited about this conference,” said Emilie Jespersen, a delegate from GA 1. “I’m a bit nervous too, but that’s expected. I’m especially looking forward to exchanging ideas and building a strong resolution,” she added.Although GA is split into six different committees, all forums followed standard opening procedures. A preliminary roll call is held, followed by an ad hoc meeting that goes over procedures and motions. The delegates then have the rest of the day to lobby and merge resolutions.GA 1 dealt with the issue of blood diamonds, the situation in Southeast Asia, and maintenance of international security. Chair of GA 1, Samantha Sawan, described lobbying as a process where “delegates can get the best of each other,” and expressed hopes that the delegates would exchange ideas that would cumulate to “great results”. Delegate of Tajikistan, Hee Sang Park, experienced the atmosphere to be “quite friendly” and found all the delegates approachable. Next, GA 2 addressed the economic and legal aspects of issues such as effects of international migration on development. Philoemina Lee, Ambassador to Eritrea, said that she felt her expectations had been met. “This conference is going really well. I’m satisfied with the exchange of ideas that is going on and feel like I’ve already learned many things,” she said. Ho Woong Chun, the Deputy Chair of GA 2, said he was pleased with the amount of active participation that was taking place in the committee. Yuna Shon, Chair for GA 3, described the forum as “focusing on social, humanitarian, and cultural issues,” including the issue of child labor in newly industrializing countries. The delegates, Shon said, are “enthusiastic and passionate.” So far, she had no concerns, she said. GA 4 dealt with the issue of special politics and decolonization of certain countries. The division of the committee into four groups according to agenda facilitated the lobbying process in the committee, and much active and enthusiastic participation ensued. “The environment is really stimulating,” described Pamela Usai, a chair of the committee. “I expect a lot of debate and controversy,” she said. Tajuddin Marhim, Delegate of Niger, agreed stating, “I expected a lot of fire from delegates, and I’m not disappointed. Everyone is fired up and passionate. The discussions are very heated.” Similarly, delegates of forums GA5 and 6, which addressed different aspects of Administration and Budgetry of organizations and civilians respectively, also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the conference so far. Karen Chen, Chair for GA 5, applauded the thorough preparation of the delegates. Her fellow chair Pranay Puranik added, “I was surprised by the number of strong speakers. Everyone is involved, and there are no complaints so far.” Arthur Klatt, the MUN Director of Shekou International School described the participants of GA6 forum as “anxious to get to work” and expressed hopes that the committee would complete a resolution on all four topics addressed in the forum. Nonetheless, some concerns, such as the lack of a microphone in particular venues, were consistently expressed through the forums. However, these issues were quickly reported. Regarding the issue of microphones, Tajduddin Marhim optimistically stated, “A more comfortable venue would be nice, of course, but this one doesn’t interfere in our work, and that’s all that matters.” Chairs also devised methods to encourage more delegates to become involved.Overall, with the chorus of approval and acclaim, high expectations for GA in the next three days of the conference were established. As expressed by Tarjuddin Marhim,“Through this conference, [we can hope to] become more aware of global issues and experience how youth can make a difference in the world.”
“Is this issue relevant to facilitating peace?” “What action can we take to involve my country?” and even “Does this tie make me look fat?” inquired students as the six General Assembly committees started with a bang this Wednesday. With topics ranging from blood diamonds to the economic development of land-locked Asian countries, the General Assembly forums inspired high hopes among the participants of this year’s conference. “I’m really excited about this conference,” said Emilie Jespersen, a delegate from GA 1. “I’m a bit nervous too, but that’s expected. I’m especially looking forward to exchanging ideas and building a strong resolution,” she added.Although GA is split into six different committees, all forums followed standard opening procedures. A preliminary roll call is held, followed by an ad hoc meeting that goes over procedures and motions. The delegates then have the rest of the day to lobby and merge resolutions.GA 1 dealt with the issue of blood diamonds, the situation in Southeast Asia, and maintenance of international security. Chair of GA 1, Samantha Sawan, described lobbying as a process where “delegates can get the best of each other,” and expressed hopes that the delegates would exchange ideas that would cumulate to “great results”. Delegate of Tajikistan, Hee Sang Park, experienced the atmosphere to be “quite friendly” and found all the delegates approachable. Next, GA 2 addressed the economic and legal aspects of issues such as effects of international migration on development. Philoemina Lee, Ambassador to Eritrea, said that she felt her expectations had been met. “This conference is going really well. I’m satisfied with the exchange of ideas that is going on and feel like I’ve already learned many things,” she said. Ho Woong Chun, the Deputy Chair of GA 2, said he was pleased with the amount of active participation that was taking place in the committee. Yuna Shon, Chair for GA 3, described the forum as “focusing on social, humanitarian, and cultural issues,” including the issue of child labor in newly industrializing countries. The delegates, Shon said, are “enthusiastic and passionate.” So far, she had no concerns, she said. GA 4 dealt with the issue of special politics and decolonization of certain countries. The division of the committee into four groups according to agenda facilitated the lobbying process in the committee, and much active and enthusiastic participation ensued. “The environment is really stimulating,” described Pamela Usai, a chair of the committee. “I expect a lot of debate and controversy,” she said. Tajuddin Marhim, Delegate of Niger, agreed stating, “I expected a lot of fire from delegates, and I’m not disappointed. Everyone is fired up and passionate. The discussions are very heated.” Similarly, delegates of forums GA5 and 6, which addressed different aspects of Administration and Budgetry of organizations and civilians respectively, also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the conference so far. Karen Chen, Chair for GA 5, applauded the thorough preparation of the delegates. Her fellow chair Pranay Puranik added, “I was surprised by the number of strong speakers. Everyone is involved, and there are no complaints so far.” Arthur Klatt, the MUN Director of Shekou International School described the participants of GA6 forum as “anxious to get to work” and expressed hopes that the committee would complete a resolution on all four topics addressed in the forum. Nonetheless, some concerns, such as the lack of a microphone in particular venues, were consistently expressed through the forums. However, these issues were quickly reported. Regarding the issue of microphones, Tajduddin Marhim optimistically stated, “A more comfortable venue would be nice, of course, but this one doesn’t interfere in our work, and that’s all that matters.” Chairs also devised methods to encourage more delegates to become involved.Overall, with the chorus of approval and acclaim, high expectations for GA in the next three days of the conference were established. As expressed by Tarjuddin Marhim,“Through this conference, [we can hope to] become more aware of global issues and experience how youth can make a difference in the world.”
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