By Grace Leo
THIMUN-Singapore 2007 has begun. Delegates from sixty-five different schools across nineteen nations are in attendance. Understandably, such a large and international conference requires a great deal of preparation and organization including registration, research and handling all the logistics of equipment, catering and accommodations. Ms. Katharina Haucke plays a key role in overseeing the details of the conference. Working for THIMUN in The Hague in 2002, Ms Haucke filled the roles of Assistant Conference Manager, then Business and Conference Manager before her current job as Conference Manager, where she is responsible for setting up and expanding THIMUN-Singapore. Ms. Haucke ensures the daily running of the office in Singapore, as well as taking care of the registration of participants and negotiations with the conference venue.For the third time, Hwa Chong Institute(HCI) is home to THIMUN-Singapore. HCI’s generous offering to host the conference free of charge has played a prominent role in helping to make THIMUN-Singapore possible by keeping costs low and allowing for easier establishment. In previous years, the conference was held all over the HCI campus, but this year, most of the action will be taking place in the newly built Student Activity and Leadership Training (SALT) Centre. Teachers from HCI also have played a large part in the running of the conference, as for instance, Ms. Hui, Assistant Organising Secretary, and Mr. Lim, Organising Secretary of the conference. Together, Mr. Lim and Ms. Hui have ensured that venues are set up appropriately with correct equipment ,and have arranged accommodation for guests at the HCI Boarding School.However, one should not overlook the immense preparation that students in the conference have undertaken. As Ms. Haucke says, “THIMUN conferences are organized by students for students.” In preparation for the roles students will fill during the conference, most schools have been holding regular MUN meetings or forming clubs. At PLC Sydney, such an MUN Club has been run weekly during lunchtimes under the guidance of director, Ms Howarth. During these sessions students have researched issues and discussed policies and resolutions to develop a strong understanding of the perspective of the parties they will represent in this conference. Many schools are involved in local MUN events and some also attend THIMUN and other affiliated conferences. Other groups who have worked hard in preparation for this conference include the press team and student officers. Members of MUNITY-East, the press delegates, have also worked hard by writing and editing articles, drawing, taking photographs and doing layout for the pre-conference newspaper. Furthermore, student officers have had particular responsibility for the smooth running of the conference. They have had to become conversant in parliamentary procedure, capable of leading and facilitating discussions and have written research papers for the conference. Clearly, pre-conference organization has been the product of a collective effort. “It is not only the student officer team, but also the administrative staff and the press team who contribute to the success of THIMUN-Singapore,” Ms. Haucke says. Director of Development, Mr. Taylor, MUNITY-East coordinator, Mr. Longbotham, and the THIMUN-Singapore Board of Directors and Advisory Committee have been other important contributors.Despite all of the hard work, it is important to note that those involved in organizing and preparing for the conference have been enjoying the roles they play. Whilst Ms. Haucke finds all aspects of organizing THIMUN-Singapore interesting, Ms. Hui sees her role as an “opportunity to ‘work’ in a different field” and as “a refreshing experience.” Others treasure the memories, expertise and friendships they have gained in the process of pre-conference organization. Hopefully, those who want to help make the conference possible will reap the rewards of their hard work, and truly enjoy THIMUN-Singapore 2007.
THIMUN-Singapore 2007 has begun. Delegates from sixty-five different schools across nineteen nations are in attendance. Understandably, such a large and international conference requires a great deal of preparation and organization including registration, research and handling all the logistics of equipment, catering and accommodations. Ms. Katharina Haucke plays a key role in overseeing the details of the conference. Working for THIMUN in The Hague in 2002, Ms Haucke filled the roles of Assistant Conference Manager, then Business and Conference Manager before her current job as Conference Manager, where she is responsible for setting up and expanding THIMUN-Singapore. Ms. Haucke ensures the daily running of the office in Singapore, as well as taking care of the registration of participants and negotiations with the conference venue.For the third time, Hwa Chong Institute(HCI) is home to THIMUN-Singapore. HCI’s generous offering to host the conference free of charge has played a prominent role in helping to make THIMUN-Singapore possible by keeping costs low and allowing for easier establishment. In previous years, the conference was held all over the HCI campus, but this year, most of the action will be taking place in the newly built Student Activity and Leadership Training (SALT) Centre. Teachers from HCI also have played a large part in the running of the conference, as for instance, Ms. Hui, Assistant Organising Secretary, and Mr. Lim, Organising Secretary of the conference. Together, Mr. Lim and Ms. Hui have ensured that venues are set up appropriately with correct equipment ,and have arranged accommodation for guests at the HCI Boarding School.However, one should not overlook the immense preparation that students in the conference have undertaken. As Ms. Haucke says, “THIMUN conferences are organized by students for students.” In preparation for the roles students will fill during the conference, most schools have been holding regular MUN meetings or forming clubs. At PLC Sydney, such an MUN Club has been run weekly during lunchtimes under the guidance of director, Ms Howarth. During these sessions students have researched issues and discussed policies and resolutions to develop a strong understanding of the perspective of the parties they will represent in this conference. Many schools are involved in local MUN events and some also attend THIMUN and other affiliated conferences. Other groups who have worked hard in preparation for this conference include the press team and student officers. Members of MUNITY-East, the press delegates, have also worked hard by writing and editing articles, drawing, taking photographs and doing layout for the pre-conference newspaper. Furthermore, student officers have had particular responsibility for the smooth running of the conference. They have had to become conversant in parliamentary procedure, capable of leading and facilitating discussions and have written research papers for the conference. Clearly, pre-conference organization has been the product of a collective effort. “It is not only the student officer team, but also the administrative staff and the press team who contribute to the success of THIMUN-Singapore,” Ms. Haucke says. Director of Development, Mr. Taylor, MUNITY-East coordinator, Mr. Longbotham, and the THIMUN-Singapore Board of Directors and Advisory Committee have been other important contributors.Despite all of the hard work, it is important to note that those involved in organizing and preparing for the conference have been enjoying the roles they play. Whilst Ms. Haucke finds all aspects of organizing THIMUN-Singapore interesting, Ms. Hui sees her role as an “opportunity to ‘work’ in a different field” and as “a refreshing experience.” Others treasure the memories, expertise and friendships they have gained in the process of pre-conference organization. Hopefully, those who want to help make the conference possible will reap the rewards of their hard work, and truly enjoy THIMUN-Singapore 2007.
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