Tan Dazzles Security Council

By Jenny Suh

It can almost be guaranteed that upon entering the Security Council, one doesn’t have to wait very long to hear about the Delegate of Belgium. Whether in lobbying or debating, the delegate has pervaded the committee, as made clear through whispered conversation such as “Belgium. He’s really good,” and “Don’t forget about Belgium.”Delegate of Belgium, Jerome Tan, is a senior from the International School of Beijing. Throughout the conference, the Delegate of Belgium proved a highly active member and speaker. Whether energetically waving his placard to gain the floor or dryly joking, the Delegate of Belgium always got his point across and his enthusiasm was infectious. After several notes and an interview, I learned that the majority of the forum considered Belgium one of the best. Tan first joined MUN three years ago. Now, as a senior, despite the pressure of filling out college applications, taking tests, and pursuing the IB diploma, Tan continues to be an active participant in MUN. “I really like debating, and the opportunity to present my thoughts in a formal style,” Tan said, explaining what aspect of MUN attracted him to the program. “I also like the notion that I can shoot flawed clauses down and attain a sense of glee. Nothing feels better than being able to spot an error in a clause that no one else has discovered,” shared Tan. 2007 is Tan’s third THIMUN conference. Tan has also participated in three BEIMUN conferences.Although his skills in MUN are now legendary both inside and outside the forum, Tan remembers his first days in the program and how much he has improved since. “My first chair Jeff Tai really honed my abilities,” Tan explained, remembering his initial discomfort with public speaking. “I now like making impromptu speeches.” Tan also described how he learned to spot errors in amendments from his chair. Though it may be hard to believe, Tan, like all of us, has had his share of embarrassing moments in his MUN career. “Once, my dear friend Hansen Gu from Shanghai American School yielded the floor to me after making an amendment,” Tan recollected. “I was ‘kind of’ resting for a while and I had absolutely no clue what the amendment was! As a result, I just stood there speechless, looking really silly,” he said. As if the situation couldn’t get any worse, Tan remembers that his MUN director happened to come into the forum at that exact moment to witness him at his “finest” hour. However, now, as a delegate renowned for his eloquence and efficiency, Tan is able to remember those days with a laugh. Tan shares his favorite moment in MUN, laughing, “I grilled a delegate until he contradicted himself!” Public speaking and confidence, Tan points out, are the two most important skills required for MUN. He shared some techniques that have helped him come far both in MUN and also in his life. “When lobbying, I always pinpoint the best speakers. They can always help you if you have a valid point,” he explained. “And don’t forget, if you don’t believe in what you’re saying, you will not be able to convince anyone else,” he added.As parting advice, Tan encourages everyone to “relax, and stay confident, and most importantly, enjoy.”