MUNchkin Daily VOLUME I
ISSUE I
Be Courageous Interview with the keynote speaker, Mr. Curtis. -reported by Na Young Won
“It’s courage.” Mr. Darrin Curtis, the former United Nations (UN) peacekeeper and a keynote speaker of ACAMUN, emphasized courage as the first and foremost quality to be a global leader. “People need courage to stand up for others”, he said. As a UN peacekeeper, Mr. Curtis patrolled the borderline of three countries: Bosnia, Montenegro and Croatia. Those three countries were previously one country called Yugoslavia, but now Yugoslavia is separated into several different countries. The region is located in the Balkans, which is usually referred to as ‘powder keg’. He worked there for a year and he said the experience was worthy even though sometimes the situation became dangerous. UN peacekeeping is a very stressful and intense mission. UN peacekeepers’ missions were to protect civilians, assist in disarmament, arrange meetings of two military groups, and educate local people not to go into Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). “A local farmer went in to DMZ and he stepped
April 10, 2011 on a mine. He missed one leg. An innocent man was trying to make his living and because of war, he got injured. That was quite horrible.” Mr. Curtis mentioned that through UN peacekeeping experience, he could get a better and deeper understanding of different cultures and the history of conflict.
Map of Balkans
As a keynote speaker, Mr. Curtis’s goal is to help students to recognize that the United Nations should be more active and forceful in stopping atrocities happening around the world. Also, he hopes all students learn how to negotiate and interact with others and develop their leadership skills. “Future global leaders need courage first and along with that, they need the ability to understand the true core of global issues, to empathize with people and to speak publicly”, he said. Especially, he strongly highlighted courage because “students need a lot of courage during the conference to submit resolutions and make amendments.”
Introduction to Topics
What is powder keg? Powder keg is a barrel of gunpowder. But it is often metaphorically used to refer the political, socio-economic, historical or other circumstances that may seem peaceful until another event triggers large outburst of violence. What is UN peacekeeping? UN peacekeeping founded in 1948. It’s defined as anything that contributes to the furthering of peace process. UN peacekeeping helps countries to create long lasting peace after conflict. UN peacekeepers monitor and observe postconflict areas.
Preview: –reported by YongMin Ko
All the committees here are dealing with various kinds of topics. These topics are important issues that the United Nations has been dealing with recently. The General Assembly, among the biggest of the committees, is mainly covering the recovery and governance in Haiti, along with the security, health, education, and rights of those living in the Palestinian territories. The Human Rights committee is dealing with children in armed conflicts and gender equality in access to primary and secondary education. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is dealing with world hunger, rising food prices, productive work and decent conditions for young people. The Environment Committee is handling issues about reducing greenhouse gases, water pollution and exploitation. Last but not least, Security Council is dealing with resolving tensions in the Korean peninsula and elimination of biological weapons and related programs.
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Interview with Mr. Curtis
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O. O. 0
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Delegates’ Impressions
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Opening Ceremony
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Introduction to Topic
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Interview with Chairs
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Cross word Puzzle
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Photos
Opening
global issues without causing others pain. The students clapped again after Mr. Curtis shared his story.
Ceremony
Alex and Jisu welcomed the MUN delegates to ACAMUN of 2011 through presentation. They briefly discussed their daily schedule and introduced the teachers who will be supervising the delegates. Alex and Jisu then motivated the students to be a part of the solution. At the end of the ceremony everyone enthusiastically marched to their forums to begin their work.
solutions. She said that no matter how different we are from each other, we all have the same goal, to help our people. She concluded her speech with her thanks for helping the world to find a solution. The students applauded at the end of her speech after listening to her with intense eyes. Mr. Curtis then walked -reported by Summer McDowell up once the clapping faded into the backThe whole auditorium was filled ground. with students that are doing something to help make a difference on this Saturday. Mr. Curtis, the keynote speaker, They all gathered together with their talked about his experience being a UN school. The schools that attended were peacekeeper. He further shared his expeQSI, ISNS, CAIS, UIS, Discovery Colrience of seeing people with serious injulege, International College of Hong ries because of war. This is one of the Kong, and of course SIS. reasons why he wants to help students see that there are better ways to solve Alex Girkin and Jisu Yun began the ceremony by introducing the delegates to MUN as they reminded the delegates of all their hard work and preparation was for this day. Alex and Jisu then introduced SIS’s principal, Philippa Curtis, who had a speech for the delegates to hear. Mrs. Curtis spoke about the issues in the world, like the earthquakes and the tsunami in Japan. She also spoke about how MUN can help the world find a solution to all of these issues. Mrs. Curtis then followed up with how different cultures need to come together to find
Our Outstanding Officers! 1.
Which grade are you in?
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What Forum are you chairing?
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What is your previous MUN experience?
-reported by Summer McDowell
4. What is your biggest challenge in being a chair? 5. What topic are you most looking forward to hear in the debate? 6. What’s something many people don’t know about you?
Sidney Lu
Seo Young Won
Alex Girkin
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10th Grade Environment MUN is a lot of work. But, it feels good to be part of something that is making the world a better place. One is following the procedure cor -rectly. When something unexpected occurs, it is difficult to quickly come up with something to say or do to keep the order and debate flowing. Hearing the delegates' ideas about reducing water pollution and water exploitation. I actually enjoy watching movies with many explosions.
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10th Grade Security Council It was chaotic. Last year was my first THI -MUN Conference and I didn’t know anything. I am responsible for my committee; debate, resolutions, solution, and even the Delegates. Revolving Tension in Korean Penin -sula and Elimination of Biological Weapons and related programs. I hate Justin Bieber. I love Eminem.
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11th Grade Human Rights I went to Singapore with the other HS Delegates and we had a great time and I would DEFINITELY do it again. Controlling all of those crazy middle schoolers! I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it. I’m not sure, they’re all equally ex citing. Although I was born in the United States, I don’t really associate myself with any particular country. I am a citizen of the world.
Chair Challenges Interview with the ACAMUN chairs - reported by Min Kyu Bae In middle school MUN, there are eleven chairs which are all high school students from Shekou International School. It is their first time to be in this position. During the interviews, the chairs showed their excitement about participating in this conference. On the other hand, the chairs also had fears about the new position and the challenging tasks they will face such as losing attention from delegates, dealing with unexpected situations, and making justifiable decisions.
lenging. The major difference between the two is that being a chair requires more responsibility and more thorough and organized preparation in advance.”
(Security Council) said that she has been reading many documents, working with other people and practicing the chair’s role.
It seems like that all the chairs are really enthusiastic about being a chair for the first time. Some of them had interesting goals they want to achieve through this conference. Min Ju Kim (General Assembly) said that her goal is to be able to engage the delegates and provide great opportunity for them to learn as many as possible from the conference.
On the other hand, chairs also have some expectations for the delegates. Sidney Lu (Environment) said “Even though I do not expect them to know all the procedures and protocols of MUN, I do expect them to make good discussions and give good ideas that will help the environment become cleaner and better.”
On the other hand, Annie Jo (Human Rights Committee) said that she wants to improve on her communication skills and build leadership. For most of the chairs, the very ultimate goals are to improve their communication skills and successfully finish their debates. Chairs have practiced their formal language skills in order to fit themselves in position which Jisu Yun (ECOSOC) said “Being a delerequires deliberate authority. gate means to prepare for the global issues and solutions; however, chairs have Dae Yeong (General Assembly) said to be aware of all the issues and requires “I’ve practiced the chair’s role in order to the responsibility to lead the debate in a make the debate flows without any probfair manner.” lems and remain composed even if there is confusion and emergency.” While Dae Also, Christine Lee (ECOSOC) said Yeong came up with his unique answer “Being a chair and being a delegate to preparation for being a chair, Emily equally are time-consuming and chal-
Overall, the chairs believe that it is important for the delegates not only to engage well during the debates but also communicate efficiently to deal with serious global issues and come up with effective solutions.
Officers continued 1.
Which grade are you in?
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What Forum are you chairing?
3.
What is your previous MUN experience?
4. What is your biggest challenge in being a chair? 5. What topic are you most looking forward to hear in the debate? 6. What’s something many people don’t know about you?
Dae Yeong Lee
Christine Lee
Jisu Yun
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11th Grade General Assembly I went to Singapore for THIMUN during last November. Being a chair requires a great confidence and information from various sources... I would like hear from the dele gates about the solutions that have come up with for the Haiti earth quake. I am kind of crazy and funny.
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10th Grade ECOSOC I attended two THIMUN Confere -nces THIMUN 2009 and THIMUN 2010. THIMUN was a fun experience since I understood the whole debate process It will be a challenge managing the debate time and getting all the delegates organized and ready for the Conference. Hearing the question of World hunger and rising food prices. I am born on January 3.
11th Grade Economic and Social Council, ECOSOC 3. I started MUN in my sophomore year as I attended THIMUN Singapore in 2009. I also attended 2010 THIMUN last year 4. I have to be reminded of all the rules and motions in MUN. Also most of middle school kids are unaware of rudimentary concepts or terms so I should remind them constantly during the process 5. I’m looking forward to see enthusi -asm and heated debate from middle school delegates
How Much Do You Know about the UN?
By Hye Min Jeong
Across: 1
The UN cannot interfere in a country’s what?
3
Where UN Headquarter is found?
5 6
English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Arabic and WHAT are the six official languages of the United NaƟons? The council cannot adopt a decision if one of its permanent members does what?
Down: 2 4
What the Middle School Delegates Hope for MUN Quotes from MS MUN delegates “… This is the final moment…” Ms. Leonardis. SIS Melody “I hope that MUN will be organized.” Spencer R. “I’m hoping that I don’t mess up.” Deanna P. “…Hope to be heard, especially my country Palestine.” QSI Luke E. “… Looking for it to be fun.” Chloe S. “… Hope to debate about the Children in Armed Conflict.” ISNS Lucy N. “… Hoping for it to be fun.” Tim C. “I want to see how the MUN is going to work.”
MUNchkin’s Press Team Editor- Yong Min Ko Layout- Hye Min Jeong Reporter- Min Kyu Bae Reporter- Summer McDowell Reporter– Na Young Won Photographer / Advisor- Mr. Galvez
What is one of the Security Council that is located in Asia? what do we call assembly's decision?