By Shahid Judge, Woodstock School
Hundreds of enthusiastic delegates and staff piled in through two entrances of the expansive Hwa Chong College Auditorium. The impressive setting foreshadowed the major event that was about to begin. After a short video on the THIMUN, the President of the General Assembly, Samantha Sawan, requested delegates stand for a minute of silence in honor of victims of global disasters. Ms. Sawan then welcomed delegates to the 4th Annual THIMUN-Singapore Conference after which she requested delegates rise once again and welcome the keynote speaker, Dr. Amy Khor.
Dr. Khor, Senior Parliamentary Advisor of Environmental and Water Resources in Singapore, announced that a central goal of THIMUN, like the United Nations, is to enhance “tolerance and peace.” In addition, the UN aims to provide the needy with food, housing, education and basic health care.
“It is heartening to see young delegates participate in this conference,” said Dr. Khor, expressing her belief that climate change was “an apt theme” for this event. “It is an issue of great complexities,” commented Dr Khor, as she described the negative effects of climate change, caused by green house gases, which in turn, affect building infrastructure, water, food and health.
Dr Khor described the Kyoto Protocol as the first step towards the elimination of the problem of Global Warming. However, she regretted the fact that some countries have not been able to achieve the goals of the Protocol.
What you (the delegates) learn from the conference can help make the world a better place,” said Dr Khor, and she encouraged delegates to research and act to address climate change.
As Dr Khor was thanked and presented with a plaque, the audience acknowledged her with a standing ovation.
Next, Lee Kaheen took center stage with a short piano piece, then Ms Sawan invited the Chairperson of the THIMUN Singapore Conference, Linda Dubock to speak.
“THIMUN is part of the United Nations Education Department,” she said, “a Foundation dedicated towards the advancement of education as well as the promotion of interest in, and support for, the work of the United Nations.”
Ms Dubock announced that one of the aims of this year’s conference was to make it as paperless as possible. She said that delegates, “as educated people”, are responsible for saving energy.
Ms Dubock requested that delegates take the initiative and make use of the ideas they learn from the conference regarding the problems facing the world today. “You (the delegates) have a responsibility to give the society back what it gave you”, she said. “By that I mean education.” She was also presented with a plaque.
Ms Sawan then introduced the Secretary General of the conference, Haebin Kim. Secretary General has been associated with the MUN for a long time. She has acted as an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advocate, President of the Advisory Panel in THIMUN Singapore, as well as Deputy President and President of the ECOSOC Committee at BEIMUN. During her speech, she announced that the delegates are here to learn. She concluded by mentioning that open-mindedness and selflessness are the two most important values when it comes to working for the betterment of the world.
Ms Sawan introduced the final performance of the Ceremony: Twenty Four Festive Drums, performed by students of the Hwa Chong Institution.
After an impressive performance by the percussionists, Ms Sawan presented a collective gift for the performers. She then invited the General Secretary to draw a ballot in order to decide the first country that would deliver the opening speech. Iceland was chosen and the Ambassador of Iceland delivered the opening speech of the country.
Before delegates were dismissed, as President of the General Assembly, Ms Sawan declared the 4th Annual THIMUN Singapore Conference open.
Hundreds of enthusiastic delegates and staff piled in through two entrances of the expansive Hwa Chong College Auditorium. The impressive setting foreshadowed the major event that was about to begin. After a short video on the THIMUN, the President of the General Assembly, Samantha Sawan, requested delegates stand for a minute of silence in honor of victims of global disasters. Ms. Sawan then welcomed delegates to the 4th Annual THIMUN-Singapore Conference after which she requested delegates rise once again and welcome the keynote speaker, Dr. Amy Khor.
Dr. Khor, Senior Parliamentary Advisor of Environmental and Water Resources in Singapore, announced that a central goal of THIMUN, like the United Nations, is to enhance “tolerance and peace.” In addition, the UN aims to provide the needy with food, housing, education and basic health care.
“It is heartening to see young delegates participate in this conference,” said Dr. Khor, expressing her belief that climate change was “an apt theme” for this event. “It is an issue of great complexities,” commented Dr Khor, as she described the negative effects of climate change, caused by green house gases, which in turn, affect building infrastructure, water, food and health.
Dr Khor described the Kyoto Protocol as the first step towards the elimination of the problem of Global Warming. However, she regretted the fact that some countries have not been able to achieve the goals of the Protocol.
What you (the delegates) learn from the conference can help make the world a better place,” said Dr Khor, and she encouraged delegates to research and act to address climate change.
As Dr Khor was thanked and presented with a plaque, the audience acknowledged her with a standing ovation.
Next, Lee Kaheen took center stage with a short piano piece, then Ms Sawan invited the Chairperson of the THIMUN Singapore Conference, Linda Dubock to speak.
“THIMUN is part of the United Nations Education Department,” she said, “a Foundation dedicated towards the advancement of education as well as the promotion of interest in, and support for, the work of the United Nations.”
Ms Dubock announced that one of the aims of this year’s conference was to make it as paperless as possible. She said that delegates, “as educated people”, are responsible for saving energy.
Ms Dubock requested that delegates take the initiative and make use of the ideas they learn from the conference regarding the problems facing the world today. “You (the delegates) have a responsibility to give the society back what it gave you”, she said. “By that I mean education.” She was also presented with a plaque.
Ms Sawan then introduced the Secretary General of the conference, Haebin Kim. Secretary General has been associated with the MUN for a long time. She has acted as an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advocate, President of the Advisory Panel in THIMUN Singapore, as well as Deputy President and President of the ECOSOC Committee at BEIMUN. During her speech, she announced that the delegates are here to learn. She concluded by mentioning that open-mindedness and selflessness are the two most important values when it comes to working for the betterment of the world.
Ms Sawan introduced the final performance of the Ceremony: Twenty Four Festive Drums, performed by students of the Hwa Chong Institution.
After an impressive performance by the percussionists, Ms Sawan presented a collective gift for the performers. She then invited the General Secretary to draw a ballot in order to decide the first country that would deliver the opening speech. Iceland was chosen and the Ambassador of Iceland delivered the opening speech of the country.
Before delegates were dismissed, as President of the General Assembly, Ms Sawan declared the 4th Annual THIMUN Singapore Conference open.
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