THIMUN

THIMUN

The inaugural THIMUN Singapore went off on a bad note personally, as I missed out on the opening proceeding. This is in part due to "betrayal" by Kevin Cheng, so that the few of us can sing during the opening ceremony. I would say it all went downhill from there, as my absence made it hard to get involved during the lobbying process.

I would say that during the preparation process, HCI delegates would be concentrating on improving their policy statement or resolution, and not familiarising themselves with the debate process or having a simulation of the actual conference. Besides rigorous preparation, experiences also count in that sense. Having nil experience in the MUN style of debating, HCI delegates spent much of the first day adapting and trying to suit myself to the occasion, uunlike what Mr. Cheng said in his EMB message that we are damn active.

As quoted from my partner, "The difference between the newly initiated and those more experienced was stark; some stood by idly, while others were handing out resolutions left and right, trying to introduce themselves socially, and to push for their resolution, almost to the point of being overtly aggressive."

Honestly I myself had never spoken AT ALL during the whole conference. Well the main problem with representing NGOs like the Human Right Commission, was that you would not be able to vote. Therefore you can say that NGOs were generally ignored right from the start during the lobbying process. Add to the fact that the Chair would normally give the chance to speak to:

1. Major power (the 5 permanent member in the security council, but mainly US)
2. Those countries directly involved in the issue being debated (for instance Israel and Palestine for Middle East Conflict)
3. Those countries submitting the resolutions (Lithuania had been highly active for THIMUN Singapore)

Generally if you did not belong to those categories, you can be counted on spending one whole day watching others go up and down to speak. That's how the conference works though unfortunately. Otherwise why do you think HCI chose Russia and not some tiny teeny countries like say Luxembourg?

Well for the plenary session (I explain the difference later), the Human Right Commission kept raising our placard (cards which indicate what countries or NGOs you are representing) but was not given a chance to speak. Otherwise I would have gone up the stage to speak about some clause on "mandatory public service" which keep skilled worker in the countries. Yes human right is violated (please look up "Universal Declaration of Human Right" if you have the time to spare and actually bothers).

Now let’s move on to some other interesting stuff.

Food-I cannot believe the councilor when they said the food is difference for the 3 days. It seems to me that only the arrangement would be different (one day the meat would be at the right, then the left then the middle…and the vegetables…). As they said, it's better not to talk about it.

Dress Code-Well the problem of not wearing the blazer became evident by the end of the first day: other delegate would think you are one of the admin staff. So next time, the TIC better get some external blazer. Many a times I would be faced with some delegate asking me to do some admin work or asking me for the way to get back to auditorium (Yes the school is so big that they got lost). Luckily I got myself some other attire for the subsequent conference. There’s so many delegate wearing black blazer that I thought I'm in MIB. Lol.

Note-passing -Well when some delegates go up to speak (taking the floor), you can scribble some message to be passed around to some other delegate present in the same forum. Although it’s supposed to be "screened by some MUN director" or something, apparently those admin staff don’t bother. I think I remember someone said the following "walau that delegate is detestable, so I just pass on the offensive message anyway". And then if you read the zaobao report, some delegates seemed to be using notes to
1. Asking people out for lunch
2. Love letter?
3. Scolding each other…

Respect and Orderliness-Honestly some delegates are simply hilarious or should I say, “using their best effort to make a fool of themselves”? And can you believe it? The Uganda delegation (cannot remember exactly which country) was laughing practically all the way…Such is the level of respect…

Well the North Korean delegate actually bring a portrait of Kim Jong Ill up when they take the floor! Besides that, they would say stuff defamatory to United States (something like "North Korea would like to express its concern over US’ aggressive stance and fear over possible invasion"). Therefore it can be said that no North Korean speech would be complete without some reaction from US (“we demand apology!”)

Friends and Girls-Well obviously we did make some friends. However I cannot help but notice one girl who is always around Glenn (Hewlett: "I think she is interested in him".). Well that must be one of Glenn "unexpected gain".

Aftermath-Well all the delegates got a certificate of participation and souvenir (Nice globe). Note that THIMUN discourage grading of delegate so there’s no such prize ceremony giving out honor like say "Best Delegate". However, Hewlett told me that Glenn had been overwhelming voted the "“most confused delegate".

Dinner and Dance-Yes THIMUN personnel went for some private dinner and dance Another Yule Ball?) Event at the Night Safari. Generally for me, it sucks. Let me quote Hewlett again "THIMUN party@Night Safari: The food was below average, and the DJs suck." In the end, I went off early with him. Oh yah Kevin Cheng was shaking his butt and dancing to the beat! What a scene.

Jokes

Oh yah in the course of the whole THIMUN (including the preparatory period), I have one favourite quote

Mr. Cheng: "I can be late but you cannot be late".

Walau, I take my hats off you man.

Hewlett: How come you are all alone and not socializing?
William: What I am Russia-lising!

William: Hey there's someone irritating at the conference. He know nuts, did not research on anything, but insists everything his own way!!!
Hewlett: Who is it?
William: The Chair?

William: Now HCI got the fifth consortium council!
Hewlett: What talking you? There are only 4, right?
William: Tell me what defines a council?
Hewlett: They organize event to promote student welfare or something like that.
William: Precisely. Based on the amount of work done, don’t you think the school now has a Humanity Council?

To be honest, the consortium council did nothing much. Tell me which event they organized or help out of bigger scale than THIMUN or HIC? Therefore besides developing your interest in humanity, they also develop your leadership potential. Coincidentally or not the SEC of IH, NgSC, is also in charge of leadership in the school.

What happened exactly during the conference?

Blog in next issue as my hands are too tired to continue…

Being yourself is the hardest thing to do.

Being yourself is the hardest thing to do. COnforming to peer pressure would be easier...but who would be living for? Are you being yourself or trying to be the mirror of your pals?

Haiz, Ting Kun just set up a new blog FINALLY after persistent asking why he won't want one. The problem is, you can't talk sense into someone unless they are willing to accept the new reality around them.

As Galieo once said "you cannot teach a person anything but only to find it within himself".

Anyway, I see Ting Kun's new blog as part of a ongoing process for him to conform to the majority whom I think seems him as "weirdo". For instance he would argue against his point without backing down although he's fighting a losing battle, some feels he's not open-minded enough to accept other's view. Or bizzare theory to save the earth for the better future future of mankind...He simply refused to have MSN or Email as he feels it's not necessary and a waste of time.

Whether it's justified or not is a matter of opinion, although I'm quite neutral at this kind of matter. Not that I'm sitting on the fence, but you need a deeper understanding to pass judgement.

However he's beginning to take step to be part of the new generation, like having a HP, MSN, Yahoo account and so on.

At the end of the day, just remember to be yourself.

OBS experience

OBS adventure

Day 1-Grouping Drama

I was allocated and in the Residential group whereby people says it's not as tough as mobile where you need to move all over the place. So I feel quite self-assured that I would be able to survive the boot camp. However, expected unexpected seems to be brewing the moment the ships starts to ferry HCI to and fro to our OBS site, Pulau Ubin. R8 was mysteriously left out and bypassed and eventually we are the only residential group left. All of a sudden, someone came down (the stairs) and said R8 had been disbanded and told us what's our new allocation. What the hell! I'm in mobile now! Lol. Although I'm disappointed that I'm in residential since that's being "soft", but why ter hell told me when we are about to board? Anyway feeling pissed, I came up with a few possible reasons.

1. There are too many absentees in the other group so the school (who may want to maximise ppl. in mobile) may want to consolidate
2. There's not enough bunk?
3. Instructor did not come?

Then get to know of a bossy/commanding guy called Hui Jie and Wei Ming's the lagging food IC. Then sian lor, we need to pitch the camp in the forest, and everone's pissed. Still need to surrender all those material goods to "get back to basic". ****, can't even have my Ritz biscuits.

Day 2-Kayaking and capsize drill (at the beach)

For the next day, just realised to what extent was the group lagging. Honestly I dont remember our group is ever punctual. Then supposed to do rock-climbing today, but it started to rain like siao when I'm about to start. So Wei Ming is the only one who finished climbing in our group lor. Then spend the time packing for ??? expedition and I almost brings everything lor. Sian.

During the afternoon, we are kayaking though I think we wasted like 1.5 hours +++ just to know the strokes......Boring, heck lah. Afterward realised need to do capsize drill lor and everyone's quite reluctant to do so. Anyway it's quite ok lah for the T-rescue but Jun Jie took like 10++ mins just to get up? Clumsy man. Then camp at campsite 3, which is the beach which got no facilities. So dont need to bath loh.

Day 3-Sea expedition & trekking

4 watches came together to form "mobile B" and each watch need to send a representative to be one of the Sea X leaders. Columbus (my watch's name) sent Yao Zhong, who got some stars for kayaking.

Then the 4 sea X leader would each be the starboard and port marker, navigator and sweeper so they are there to mark the 4 corners of the "diamond" formation. So like that kayak for like 3-4 hours all sunburnt and have our lunch on board. Damn that Wang Lin lor, keeps splashing others and rocking the boat and I'm splashed though I'm innocent.

After that it's trekking which is very tiring. Sian.

Lol continue next time