UPH International Relations Students will be taking part in the Harvard National MUN 2013

Seven UPH International Relations students will be taking part in Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) 2013. Previously, UPH delegations for MUN joined Indonesia Model United Nations (IMUN) 2012 held at Universitas Indonesia on October 2-6, 2012. In this event, two of seven UPH delegations, Jason Robert and Rocky Intan, who acted as European Union Council representing Kingdom of Belgium, successfully won the first place for category Best Delegate and Best Position Paper.

Model United Nations (MUN) is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about civics, current events, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy. In standard Model UN, students take on roles as diplomats and participate in a simulated session of an intergovernmental organization (IGO). Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems. During a conference, participants must employ a variety of communication and critical thinking skills in order to represent the policies of their country. These skills include public speaking, group communication, research, policy analysis, active listening, negotiating, conflict resolution, note taking, and technical writing.

Indonesia MUN (IMUN) is the biggest and most prestigious national MUN in Indonesia. In its 3rd year, IMUN 2012 consists of 6 committees: ECOSOC, ASEAN Regional Forum, Security Council, The Congress of Westphalia, UEFA Annual Assembly, and The European Union. This year, the participants more than 300 talented students from renowned universities all over the world.

(Left-Right): UPH Delegation to IMUN 2012: Jason Robert (2009, EU – Belgium), Amelia Risartha (2009, ASEAN – Cambodia), Marsha Susetyo (2009, UEFA ? Bosnia), Livia Wijaya (2009, ASEAN ? Cambodia), Niken Edgina (2009, Westphalia ? Holy Roman Empire), Mirza Graciella (2009, UEFA ? Denmark), Rocky Intan (2009, EU ? Belgium).

Further, these best delegations from IMUN 2012 will be joining a much bigger conference, Harvard Nation MUN. UPH as one of delegations from Indonesia will send seven International Relations students to the conference. They are Jason Robert (2009), Amelia Risharta (2009), Geviana Payouw (2009), Livia Chandra Wijaya (2009), Mirza Graciella Cathlya (2009), Riksa Pramatatya (2011), and Rocky Intan (2009). They have passed the selection process done by the UPH MUN counselors.

To prepare themseleves before departing on the second week of February 2013, the delegations routinely study the conference materials twice a week. “We will be presenting Finland. Our delegations will be placed in four committees, World Health Organization (WHO), Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), Ad hoc Committee on energy, and Commission on the Status of Women,” explained Jason, one of the delegation’s member. The division of work is done alternately by each person. “So in every session, there is one person in charge of the rehearsal material. For the conference material specifically, it will be adjusted with each member and where they are placed,” he added.

In addition to the preparation, the delegations also held various fund raising events to support their accommodations cost. They learn so much from this. “Several important things to consider are time management, efficiency, teamwork, and commitment. Those four things are very crucial in order to achieve bigger target with limited resources,” told Jason.

All of the student activities were guided, supported, and directed by lecturers, Vincentius Roy Pratikno, the Head of International Relations Department, and Jessica Angkasa, the International Relations lecturer. “Our main target is to win the awards and to make UPH and Indonesia proud,” he said.

HNMUN 2013 is the 59th session of UN court simulation organized by undergraduate students of Harvard University, Boston, MA. HNMUN is the oldest, biggest, and most prestigious UN court simulation for university students. There were in total more than 3500 students from 40 countries all over the world participated in HNMUN 2012. Some of them were from other top universities, such as Yale University, Princeton University, and University of Cambridge. (rh)

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