By Saniya More (G12) and Pranav Kalra (G11)
Are you someone who loves debating, discussing worldly issues and current affairs? Do you like giving your opinion on different issues, and trying to understand the different perspectives of a situation? Are you a good public speaker, or looking to improve your public speaking skills? If you answered yes to any of those questions, MUN might be for you!
MUN, or Model United Nations is a type of debate in which students are delegates representing different countries. Delegates speak as their countries, usually as the government or an authoritative group. MUN conferences revolve around speaking about international relations and ongoing events, all done as a simulation of a real United Nations conference. First, delegates give their country’s stance on the selected issue, and identify other countries that they they can work with- ‘allies’. Then, countries work together to form a resolution- a document that contains a proposed solution to the issue being debated. After this is when the debate really begins- delegates support or defend the resolution for an allotted period of time. At the end of the time period, the resolution is voted upon, and can either pass or fail.
Most international schools in Bangkok participate in Model United Nation conferences and also host their own ones. As KIS is relatively new to the MUN sphere, we hosted our first conference in 2013. This year, we are working on organising the 2nd annual KISMUN conference, where we hope to have around 140 delegates attend, with many world problems debated and resolved. MUN works especially well at KIS because our IB curriculum and problem-solving global worldview fit particularly well with MUN. Apart from practicing the MUN style of debating, the MUN club also works on organising the KISMUN conference.
Watch out for news about the second annual KISMUN Conference, which will be held on Saturday, November 1. If you are interested in attending the conference, or in helping to organise it, please contact Mr. Garry ([email protected]), or Hitanshi from Grade 12 ([email protected]).
