Students held the 7th iteration of the GIIS Model United Nations (MUN) conference earlier this month - an initiative by young individuals to demonstrate their perspectives on international matters, enhance their public speaking skills and come up with creative solutions to tackle real-world issues through debate. 

GIIS MUN 2021 brought together over 200 delegates to recreate different agencies within the United Nations as well as three media representations, to bring balance to the proceedings held at the SMART Campus in Punggol. Stringent social distancing rules were implemented throughout the 3-day session, with students having to wear face masks and stay 1m apart throughout, in view of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. 

The conference is part of student development under the GIIS 9GEMS framework, where academic and non-academic excellence is stressed upon. Students get to dabble in different events and start initiatives, which are aimed at teaching them leadership, entrepreneurship as well as encouraging them to be aware of the world around them as thinkers and doers. 

GIIS delegates were part of the committees that included the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the League of Nations (LON), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Futuristic United States Senate (FUSS), the three-way crisis committee (TCC). The media was represented by Al Jazeera, Times of India, and The Guardian. 

On Day one, the Model United Nations officially opened with speeches from the Secretary-General, Arvind Chandrasekhar, and Guest Speaker, Jamie Beaton, Co-Founder, and CEO of Crimson Education. As a graduate of Harvard University, Jamie now helms a global company dedicated to leveling the playing field in world-leading university admissions. 

Day one was witness to an astounding spectacle of enthusiasm. All delegates steadily conquered their initial reserve as the debate gradually assumed a smoother flow. With the appropriate supervision of the chairpersons, all committees made significant progress into their specific committees. 

The second day commenced without much ado, relaunching the previous day’s debate. Gradually, it was time for working papers and draft resolutions to be produced and discussed upon. Day 2 was complemented by an incredible film night for all delegates to enjoy.

Day three started on a high note for all the delegates as the prolific and constructive debate paved a scheme for genuine resolutions to the issues beneath discussion by the diverse committees.

Prior to the event, students had developed a website to give information and updates on a daily basis. 

The three days of the event were days of intense activity as all delegations used all their diplomacy and ingenious methods of reasoning and argument to defend their country’s policies. The delegates asserted their country’s stance on the floor of the community and were prepared to defend them extravagantly. 

While this conference was stress-relieving during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was one of learning, enrichment and enjoyment.