Munity EastMunity EastMunity East Volume 7, Issue 1November 16, 2011

Welcome to THIMUN SingaporeBy Tsai-Wei Chen, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

n November 15th, 1920, confident delegates from all around the globe gathered for the first League of Na-tions assembly held in Geneva. Little did they know,

however, that their legacy and very ideas of community peace would inspire THIMUN-Singapore to host its seventh annual opening ceremony 91 years later––tomorrow. Coming from countries from all over Asia and Oce-ania, 964 delegates from 74 schools will arrive at the SALT Center of the Hwa Chong Institution campus to participate in the four-day conference. This year, THIMUN-Singapore will adopt the theme of “Crime and Punishment.” As in pre-ceding years, the conference’s theme will provide each com-mittee with pressing issues for delegates to actively debate and, hopefully, resolve through efficient collaboration. The First General Assembly (GA), or the Committee of Disarmament and International Security, will deal with the formation of an Islamic conference as well as the control of weapons in the Indian Ocean and in various states. The Eco-nomic and Financial assembly (GA2), will attempt to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by promoting ecotour-ism, protecting coral reefs, and developing agriculture. The Social and Humanitarian assembly (GA3) will tackle the so-cietal issues of discrimination against widows and victims of leprosy in hopes of preserving cultural unity. The Adminis-tration and Budgetary assembly (GA5) will discuss financial issues concerning the United Nation mission programs and pandemic diseases. Discussion in the last GA, Legal Assem-bly (GA6), will focus on crime prevention, the worldwide drug problem, and the security of diplomats.

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November XX, 2011

By Ashley Kim, Korean International School

The Internet: An Online Revolution

owadays we can access the Internet from just about anywhere – and with the advent of 4G, even moving vehicles do not limit our ability to stay connected

with the World Wide Web. But the exponentially develop-ing realm of the Internet has much further reaching con-sequences than just allowing us to check Facebook every 5 minutes. The Internet – once just seen as a novel way to get rich quickly – has created changes that have been unseen, even by those who from the very beginning had touted the “revolutionary” technology. Now having gone far past simply being a place to play games and instant message, the Internet has changed not only our methods of entertainment and so-cial connectivity, but has also transformed the ways business is carried out, the ways people think, and the ways political parties gain power. One of the most obvious changes around us as a re-sult of the Internet can be found in the ways we exchange ideas. Activists can use the Internet as a forum to make their voices heard and to quickly and easily amass a crowd of like-minded people – a feat that was unheard of just a century ago. Through the Internet, ordinary people are able to access a virtual database filled with information. A whole host of information and opinions on a nearly unlimited number of topics is accessible to any old schulb with simple clicks of the mouse and a few keystrokes. The Internet has caused extremely powerful positive change. The facts that knowledge no longer possesses bor-ders allows people to research topics for themselves and no longer have to rely on others as their sole source of informa-tion. Tangible results can be seen in the Middle East. Tu-nisia was ruled by dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for 23 years. In December of 2010, however, a video appeared on the Internet that would change this forever. The video was posted on Facebook of Mohamed Bouazizi who had set him-self on fire in front of a government building in protest of the dictatorial government that had taken away his livelihood – all because he was unable to pay a bribe. Ten days after the video was posted, Ben Ali resigned amid widespread na-tional protests. A month after this political upheaval was publicized by means of the Internet, the tyrannical 30-year President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, left office after facing similar pro-tests. Sources within the Middle East itself insist that it was the Boauzizi video and its subsequent consequences that

were the determining factors – a true triumph of social net-working if ever there was one. It is clearly evident that the dissemination of in-formation to the masses can produce productive reforms. However, this highly beneficial tool can also be used in a negative way. The advent of the Internet, with its vast array of knowledge, has revolutionized a kind of “instant noodle knowledge” – one that is perceived as instant and thin in quality. People, when faced with such easy access to informa-tion whenever and wherever they want, view information as an immediate commodity, focusing more on quantity rather than quality. Although the Internet is indeed a ‘revolutionary’ in-novation that has proven to be highly advantageous, at the same time, it is important for us to recognize its capability of producing negative consequences, and in this innovative world filled with Smartphones, iPods, and iPads, to be wise when filtering through this large selection of instant knowl-edge.

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Munity East Volume 7, Issue 1.

The Internet: An Online Revolution

By Melody Lai, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

t’s visible every time we step into a supermarket. The previously overflowing fruit stands are now signifi-cantly smaller, the price of that mouth-watering bread

is skyrocketing, and the discounts and sales are disappoint-ingly less frequent. The food crisis, a disaster looming ever larger in our path, now threatens to conquer all corners of the world. While those rising food prices may seem like a mi-nor hiccup in your family’s expenditures, the same “insig-nificant” rise could be disastrous to families living on the poverty line for whom every penny spent has been hard-earned. Even after the perceived “peak” in 2008 – a year in which food prices increased an average of 43 percent – these figures are still rising. This constant growth, says the Inter-national Monetary Fund, can be attributed to two primary factors: volatile weather conditions, and problems on both the supply and demand sides of the food equation. As global warming becomes an increasingly press-ing problem, climate change becomes more severe and harmful to the cultivation of crops. Natural disasters, such as crop-suffocating droughts or the flooding of fields from the rise in sea level, disrupt crop-growing processes world-wide and heavily decrease the amount of food available. Ac-cording to scientific calculations, these environmental con-ditions will only grow more extreme as time goes on. These weather conditions, along with numerous other factors, have a direct impact on all countries involved in the food trade equation. On the supply side, farmers face soil erosion, aquifer depletion, the loss of cropland to non-farm uses, the diversion of irrigation water to cities, and

other such problems that plague the food-growing process. Yet on the demand side, the global population is growing. As the world becomes more advanced, previously self-sufficient countries such as India and Vietnam have be-gun importing foods from other countries while they erad-icate farmland to make way for other industrial advance-ments. Thus the growing of particular staple foods is left on the shoulders of unstable agricultural markets. Corporations such as the Global Food Crisis Re-sponse Program (GFRP) were set up by the World Bank Group in 2008 to help deal with the food crisis and reach out to impoverished, starving countries. So far, GFRP has financed projects a total of around US$1.5 billion and has reached out to nearly 40 million vulnerable people in 44 countries. This organization not only feeds those in need, but also sets up policies and provides financial support to create a rudimentary agricultural system. Yet within this effort to instigate positive change there is a whole new host of problems. Many programs that were set up as well-intentioned endeavors on the part of the organization were based on false judgments and in some cases did more harm than good. Countries gathering up food for storage face the results of rotting food that could have fed countless starving people. Agricultural export bans also create altercations that discourage investment in food production. The end of scarce days is far from over: food budget goals still have to be reached, the number of peo-ple going hungry swells with every passing minute, and the diminishing amount of agriculture promises a harsh road ahead.

Ithe food crisis

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TOP10THINGS MUN-ERS TAKE FOR GRANTED

By Sean Liu, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

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At the end of the day, every delegate needs a comfortable place to rest. Teenagers generally need at least sev-en hours of sleep a night, and MUN-ers are no different – after all, they too are typical high school students. If an-ything, they need more sleep. Solving the world’s problems is tough work!

10. HOTEL ROOM

The note passers who should be grab-bing your note just as you lift it. Who doesn’t take them for granted, right? Their only job is to wait and walk around with a sheet of paper. How hard could it be? But don’t forget that they run these endless errands for the entire conference – what would the conference be without them?

9. ADMINIS-TRATION

THIMUN conferences are all about diversity, consisting of delegates from all over the world. Given that, del-egates are bound to meet new peo-ple, debate with or against them, and make new friends in the process.

8. MEETINGNEW PEOPLE

In a tropical country like Singapore, air conditioning is a must. Without it, temperatures rise to well above 30 de-grees Celsius, but with air condition-ing, temperatures fall to a comfortable 20 degrees, ideal for a room packed with students in formal clothing.

This is central to any debate in MUN. Delegates rely on this tool to sup-port or attack resolutions, and often become frustrated when chairs deny them this inalienable right.

According to an Internet poll, around 20% of people go at unpredictable times of the day. To protect the men-tal health of all delegates and to pro-mote personal hygiene, toilet paper must be provided in all bathrooms in any conference.

Delegates generally expect decent food at any conference. As one anon-ymous MUN-er put it, “We’re sacri-ficing our free time to solve world is-sues. I think we deserve at least to be rewarded with good food. You don’t like me when I’m hungry!”

Delegates get bored and need a laugh every now and then. Why not throw in a funny analogy to lighten up their spirits? “This resolution is like the warm spot in the pool. It feels nice until you realize what it is.”

Our close primate relatives must love bananas for a reason. Bananas, which are high in potassium, are excellent sources of energy. According to the US National Lung and Blood Insti-tute, teenagers are estimated to lose around 2000 calories a day. Therefore, many delegates rely on the confer-ences to provide them with bananas.

Every delegate uses the Internet to research and prepare for MUN con-ferences. Even during conferences, delegates need the Internet to look up events and issues of which they are not fully aware. Delegates also take refuge in the Internet for sneaky breaks. “I don’t know what I would do without the Internet,” admits an anonymous MUN-er, “Facebook and 9gag are my life.”

7. AIR CONDITIONING

6. POINT OFINFORMATION

5. TOILET PAPER

4. FOOD

3. ANALOGIES

2. BANANAS

1. THE INTERNET

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By Diana Lee, Korea International School

t’s that time of the year again, when selected delegates representing their respective schools gather from all over the world at the Hwa Chong Institution to attend

the annual THIMUN-Singapore conference. Dressed in formal attire and bubbling with excitement, the delegates, one by one, get off their buses and file into their buildings, buzzing with chatter. In the midst of the stimulating debates, dazzling fun, and the making of new friends, however, there is a figure quietly pulling the strings, overseeing every de-bate, and answering every inquiry. Commanding with great respect is Nina Kamaruddin, the Secretary General of the seventh THIMUN-Singapore conference. A visionary, Kamaruddin (Mont’Kiara Internation-al School) has contributed to MUN conferences ever since her first debut. Over the last five years, this MUN veteran has been to as many as 16 different conferences in Malaysia, Singapore, Holland, and Turkey – 11 of which were THI-MUN-affiliated and nine of which she attended as a Student Officer. President of ECOSOC (THIMUN-Singapore VI), Head chair of General Assembly Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, Cultural; THIMUN XLIII), and Secretary General of MYMUN IX are just a few of the distinguished positions she has earned over the years, showing her untar-nished passion for MUN. Nina has to endure four days full of preparing the Student Officer team for the conference, organizing the writing of research reports, acting as a liaison between the THIMUN Board and the Student Officer team, helping schedule debate time, overseeing debate, making sure eve-

rything goes smoothly, and fixing any problems that may arise before or during the conference. It’s exhausting – no doubt in that – but a rewarding experience nonetheless. “I’m feeling very optimistic and unbelievably excited for this conference,” she says, “I’m looking forward to watching the delegates interact and grow.” Although MUN demands an extraordinary aggregate of creativity, enterprise, and dili-gence, Nina’s inspiring direction will be, once again, hard to ignore. Aside from MUN, Nina is also involved in a vari-ety of other activities including dance (contemporary, bel-ly-dance, hip-hop), volleyball, and basketball. Just like any other high school student, she enjoys house music, trave-ling, video games, and Quentin Tarantino films. Reading books and reflecting on current socioeconomic changes and phenomena is also a hobby for this diligent young leader. For example, the book she is currently reading is called Re-flections on the Revolution in Europe, discussing the impli-cations of Muslim immigration to Europe. And of course, last but not least, she loves food – she asserts that eating is more of a want than a need, and it is not uncommon to see her eating enough for two people! Nina will have to bid a bittersweet farewell at the end of the conference, as it is her last THIMUN-Singapore conference. Nevertheless, with Nina working diligently side by side for the final time with other Student Officers, this MUN experience will undoubtedly be an exciting one for all of us.

Iintroducing: The Secretary General

Nina Kamaruddin7th Thimun SingaporeSecretary General

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By JooYeon Lim, CheongShim International Academy

any delegates are eagerly anticipating the upcom-ing Singapore conference, but some may be un-sure of what to expect; Malavika Nair (Overseas

Family School), one of the Deputy Secretary Generals and a veteran of MUN, gave us a few suggestions she picked up in her many years of MUN experience. Nair said that the most impressive moments of MUN were when she saw delegates, whom she personally knew to hold completely different views to those of their del-egation, speak up with confidence – never once compromis-ing their nations’ viewpoints. The way in which these nor-mal teenagers could turn into such impassioned speakers, and then go back to their regular lives after the conference struck her, and she fell in love with MUN. She has partici-pated in numerous MUN conferences since she first started, such as THIMUN-Singapore, BEIMUN, THIMUN-Hague, MUNOFS, MY-MUNOFS, and O-MUN Conferences. She said that she thinks the most significant role of a DSG is to ensure that the conference can provide delegates with a great MUN experience, and that she plans to do any-thing in her power to make this happen. Although she is

aware that balancing her academic responsibilities with her MUN workload will be difficult, she said that she doesn’t regard it as a major setback since the same applies to 99% of all the delegates at THIMUN anyway. And for any delegate who is looking forward to tak-ing on roles as a student officer, Nair recommends applying for the position only if the delegate truly loves MUN and wants to have a role in running a conference. This year she looks forward to some action-packed, heated debate, and a good number of well-written resolutions that could change the world.

Bonus: The DSG’s suggestions on places to visit in Singa-pore!“Other than the well-publicized, popular streets and shops of Orchard, I would suggest Clarke Quay for some great places to eat. It might also be worthwhile to spend some time in Sentosa, which is quite close to a popular mall called VivoCity. If you’re looking for a truly authentic Singaporean experience, you might like to visit the ‘heartlands’ of Singa-pore as well!”

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Nina Kamaruddin7th Thimun SingaporeSecretary General ten minutes with the DSG

MALAVIKA NAIRDEPUTY SECRETARY GENERALOVERSEAS FAMILY SCHOOL

The way in which these normal teenagers could turn into such impassioned speakers, and then go back to their regular lives af-ter the conference struck her, and she fell in love with MUN...”

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introducing: The Human Rights Council ChairsBy Ho Jai Yoon, Concordia International School

he Yeon Hyun, Sophia Pitcairn, and Kevin Wu, the three chairs of the Human Rights Council at THI-MUN Singapore 2011, were all once Model United

Nations rookies. Hyun (Cheon Shim International Acad-emy) and Wu (Shanghai American School-Puxi), started their MUN journeys at MUNOS and MYMUN. Pitcairn (American School of Bombay) even asked the chair not to call on her at her first conference. Now, however, these three people have grown to become MUN enthusiasts. Since their first conferences, they have participated in various MUN events including THIMUN and BEIMUN. When asked why she enjoys MUN, Hyun answered, “It is the place where you can earn so many valuable assets that you cannot from anywhere else.” Pitcairn emphasizes, “MUN is where you can meet some of the coolest and most interesting people.” Hyun believes the Human Rights Coun-

cil is important in that “human rights issues are the most approachable,” while Pitcairn agrees that human rights is-sues “are those that actually appear in everyone’s day-to-day lives.” From this year’s THIMUN-Singapore, Wu wishes to “gain a deeper knowledge of how to help delegates and learn a lot from what delegates have to say.” From her extensive MUN experience, Hyun, the President of the HRC, advises this year’s delegates to “be passionate. The most foolish thing to do in MUN is to sit quietly. Be confident and share your ideas with other del-egates.” Therefore delegates, despite the ridiculous notes, shocking outfit choices, and really sore feet from unbeliev-ably high heels that often distract from debate, remember to bring passion and resolve to the Human Rights Council committee room.

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introducing: The ECOSOC PresidentBy Christine Choi, Korea International School

he youngest female delegate in the history of her former school, Monika Shrestha (United World College South East Asia), the President of ECOSOC,

is certainly thrilled to contribute to THIMUN-Singapore as a student officer. In fact, this is her second year chairing for ECOSOC in Model United Nations. Shrestha is a natural-born leader and debater—she simply loves sharing her in-sights with others and receiving feedback. For Shrestha, the 2010 THIMUN conference that took place in The Hague was not only her first experience attending a summit, but also the most memorable one. During this time, she gained a lot of confidence and developed her public speaking skills.

According to Shrestha, MUN represents “maturity”— peo-ple learn to resolve major international issues by proposing thoughtful and effective solutions. Throughout the past two

and a half years, she, herself, has become more mature by meeting students around the world and by cooperating with them. She has also learned to negotiate with others and to improvise speeches.

The Economic and Social Council is responsible for provid-ing solutions to socioeconomic issues around the world, and she hopes that the participants will be able to propose fresh, new ideas dealing with these global issues. Shrestha carries a crucial role this year: to direct the debate so that all del-egates can actively contribute and engage in discussion. She expects the summit to be both productive and memorable, and wants the chairs and delegates to interact more often than they did in her previous conferences. Shrestha shares a tip for those just entering the world of MUN: Always try to step out of your comfort zone!

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introducing: The ECOSOC President

By Susanna Chen, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

nquisitive, affable, mature, efficient, and quirky de-scribe Jerry Wang, the President of the General Assem-bly (PGA) of this year’s THIMUN-Singapore. While he

takes interest in reading and learning about controversial international issues and ideas from the Theory of Knowl-edge (TOK), Jerry is also a very affable person who loves to meet new people and goof around like any other laid-back teen, pounding his thumbs on video game controllers with his nine-year-old brother or wolfing down a plateful of pes-to tuna pasta at his school compound’s clubhouse. When he is not at the pool training for a competition with the Varsity Swim Team or trying to burn off the few extra calories he gained from an Italian dish he had for lunch, he is working diligently as members of the HS Student Council and the Empowerment through Self-Esteem Education (ESEE) pro-gram. He has spent his entire life in Toronto, Shanxi Prov-ince, and Beijing. Although he has never lived in the United States, one of his life ambitions is to attend the Huntsman Program on Business and International Studies at the Uni-versity of Pennsylvania because of his interests in econom-ics and international relations. Currently a senior at the International School of Beijing, Wang has already attended eight fruitful and re-warding MUN conferences. This November, he once again embarks on the annual journey to Singapore with 36 other

students and advisors from his school. When asked about his best conference, he responded, “My best experience is definitely my first ever conference as the delegate of USA in General Assembly 6 of THIMUN Singapore 2008.” With a group of approximately 35 co-submitters, he main-submit-ted his resolution on the question of compensation of civil-ian victims and their heirs for damages caused by armed conflict. The intense and prolific debate during the plena-ry session “without a doubt left on [him] a deep impres-sion and is the reason why [he has] grown to love MUN so much.” Wang has come a long way since that very confer-ence. Now serving as president of the General Assemblies, he hopes to further challenge himself with increased responsi-bility, to learn the delicate art of teamwork along with other esteemed and capable students on the THIMUN Singapore Executive Team, and to assist and organize high quality de-bate and cooperation between delegates in all forums of the General Assembly. He fervently advises and encourages all delegates to “Speak up! It does not matter what country you are representing. Your voice deserves to be heard. Once you get over the initial anxiety and fear of publicly delivering your ideas, you will feel eager to take the floor and discover a formidable confidence.”

IAn Athletic Kid Offstage, A Shining PGA Onstage

By Yuan Chun Hsiao, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

iranda Melcher, chair of THIMUN’s Security Council, is the model participant in Model Unit-ed Nations that all striving delegates yearn to be.

With 15 conferences worth of experience under her belt, she hopes to see “passionate debate” and improvement in dele-gates. Seeing as last year’s THIMUN Security Council spent “a day and a half on one resolution,” she has high hopes for a stimulating and heated conference this year. Miranda de-scribes herself as a passionate debater, who is “subsequently not always diplomatic” when caught up in the heat of the moment. With such a fervent debater as a chair, discussion in the SC room will no doubt be captivating and exhilarat-ing. However, even those at the pinnacle of success have once faced defeat. Miranda’s MUN experience is an example

of the triumph of perseverance over temporary failures. As a new delegate, she once left her folder at the podium. As a consequence, she had to appeal to retrieve it in front of the entire committee. She has also had moments of unparalleled glory. As one of the most accomplished MUN participants in her school, Miranda is responsible for the establishment of DIMUN (Dulwich International MUN), “a new MUN conference for middle school students.” One may wonder what the secret to MUN success is. How does one climb the ladder of accomplishment to reach the heights of prominence represented by the chairs of THIMUN? According to Miranda, success comes in little steps: “Set a goal for yourself, and try to make it. Every little step makes you better.”

MPilgrim at Dulwich International

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By Audrey Lin, International School of Beijing

very year, students from over seventy international schools around the world join THIMUN-Singapore as delegates, researching information and writing

their resolutions. Delegates may think that by now they know everything there is to know about MUN, but one ma-jor branch of the conference is often overlooked: The In-ternational Court of Justice. In fact, when asked about ICJ officers, many delegates asked, “What is an ICJ?” The ICJ is a branch that makes judgments on cases brought to it by individual countries, in addition to giving legal advice to various groups of MUN. The members of the court hear three cases and make legal decisions based on past treaties, universal principles of law, international cus-toms, and precedents from similar cases. This year, the ICJ officers are Linus Wannstrom (Mont’Kiara International School) as President, Kim Harting (Mont’Kiara Interna-tional School) as Deputy President, and Nathaniel Zhang (Concordia International School Shanghai) as Registrar.

Wannstrom and Harting have been a part of MUN for five years now. Their jobs as President and Deputy President are to make sure that the advocates are on task, able to contact witnesses, and have research to use as evidence. On the oth-er hand Zhang, as Registrar, assists in gathering evidence, a process that consists of labeling and filing of proof pre-sented to the judges. “I prefer being on the ICJ any day,” states Wannstrom. Though it is his first time taking on the role of an ICJ officer, he looks forward to contributing to the ICJ from a different angle. Harting has also been involved with the ICJ, but “never appreciated how much time and commitment went into making the ICJ run smoothly.” This year, she looks for-ward to seeing her advocate team excel. The job of an ICJ officer is no simple job, but Hart-ing is certain that “politics, law, and fair trials trump stand-ard committee debate any day.”

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Heated debate on issues regarding “Crime and Pun-ishment” will also take place in the Economic and Social committee (ECOSOC), Human Rights Council (HRC), and Security Council (SC). In the ECOSOC room, delegates will engage in issues pertaining to sexual exploitation, financial crimes, and natural disasters. SC delegates will review the current situations in Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, the Arabian Pen-insula, and the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, the HRC will take on the humanitarian issues in Myanmar and discuss the promotion of the welfare of children. As delegates in committees involve themselves in heated debates and hectic lobbying, students in the Adviso-ry Panel and in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will also take part in vivid discussions of worldwide issues. The

Advisory Panel will deal with the situation in the Indochi-nese peninsula, focusing on the importance of the Mekong River, drug trafficking, and the creation of a free trade area. Representatives in the ICJ will deal with lawsuits between Japan and Australia and between Germany and Italy. Whether students excitedly embark on this annual pilgrimage to Singapore with high hopes of beaming with pride at their passed resolutions or with enthusiasm to meet new people, THIMUN-Singapore VII will most definitely be a memorable experience for all. The enthusiasm and vig-or each day has to offer leaves all students impatient to expe-rience more. So, without further ado, THIMUN-Singapore officially welcomes you aboard the four-day train of excite-ment. We wish you a smooth ride.

Welcome to THIMUN SingaporeContinued from Page 1

I prefer being on the ICJ any day” - Linus Wannstrom ICJ President

I.C.—What?

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By Regan Plekenpol, Shanghai American School Pudong Campus

uch like the backstage crew of a movie, the admin-istrative staff works behind the scenes to ensure that conferences run seamlessly. I’m sure you’ve

seen them, clad in brown blazers and bold red neck-ties, working on essential tasks ranging from controlling the room temperature to note passing between delegates. What would an orchestra be without a conductor? Unorganized, lost, and confused. This, essentially, would be MUN without the ad-ministration staff. The administration serves as both an or-ganizational structure and a helping hand wherever needed throughout the entire conference. The admin staff is the foundation, and without them, everything in the seminar would be chaotic. There is no doubt in the minds of any MUN-er that the administrative staff is absolutely essential.According to MUN guidelines, the administrative staff is

officially responsible for photo-copying resolutions, pass-ing notepaper between chairs and delegates alike, as well as preparing the committee rooms with place cards, tables, and seating plans. Theoretically, this is the role of the administration staff. But in reality, any MUN-er will tell you that the ad-mins’ role runs much deeper than mere organization and logistics – they understand the vitality of a smooth confer-ence and will do anything in their power to make certain that the seminar remains trouble-free and uninterrupted. Jacob Dyer, a delegate from Shanghai American School Pu-dong believes that “The admin staff is so good at keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently.” When asked about any possible improvements, Jacob commented that, in his experience, “They have always done a great job…ex-cept screening my messages.”

MBehind the SceneS: the AdminiStrAtion StAff

By Sekheena Deslorieux, Mont’Kiara International School

hat kind of person would be the best president of the Advisory Panel? It’s debatable. But although there is no one answer, we are willing to bet that

every answer to the question would have a few common threads: Someone with leadership experience; Someone who is not afraid of public speaking; Someone who is dedi-cated to MUN. . . In short, someone like Freddie Kim.Freddie (HoGun) Kim from Concordia Int. School Shang-hai is the President of the Advisory Panel at THIMUN Sin-gapore VII, and he is more than up to the task. When asked how many conferences he has been to, he answered with a cool, “I stopped counting the number of conferences, but I must have attended at least 15.” During these conferences he has held numerous leadership positions such as President of APQ on the Arctic and Antarctica (APQAA) of CISSMUN II and President of the Disarmament Commission II of MY-MUN VIII.

Kim says that his life goal is to leave a legacy of freedom, education, and representation. In regards to college, and further education, he says he wants to pursue international relations, business, and social psychology. Later in life, he wants to take the skills he gained from these areas and work in an area that involves the care of children.It is evident that Kim is not only experienced enough to be president of the Advisory Panel, but that he genuinely be-lieves in what he is doing—truly dedicated to making the world a better place. If you’re intimidated, don’t be—outside of MUN, he is a regular person, too. He enjoys listening to anything from Alternative to R&B music. He plays basket-ball, tennis, and card games. He loves texting and talking to his friends on Skype. He is a cinephile, though due to his around-the-clock schedule, he admitted that he has not watched any movies recently. Not to worry, he’ll catch up on them later… once he’s done saving the world.

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The PresidenT of The Advisory PAnel

I.C.—What?

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“Japan? Wasn’t the earthquake, like, half a year ago?”

By Elissa Lee, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

This is the first reaction we get from most people, after explaining that we spent a week of the summer in Japan as volunteers for the tsunami relief effort. And though it has been six months since the tragedy on March 11, 2011, houses still remain collapsed and spirits still crushed; despite the fact that there has been great progress, the devastation still lingers along the coastline of Japan. People are still missing, homes are still lost, and out of the 31 cities affected only four have finalized their rebuilding plans. We arrived in Sendai, Japan after a two-hour plane ride and five-hour road trip. We were working for Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian international relief group, led by Dean and Linda Bengston, missionary volunteers who welcomed us into their church and patiently guided us through the week. After a day’s rest it was time for work. Throughout the course of the week, we mucked out and power-washed gutters, cleaned out a field full of sludge, cell phone parts, and other debris, and took a sledgehammer to a fallen wall. We saw firsthand the aftereffects of Mother Nature’s wrath. Cars, most of them missing their tires, were stacked beside the roads. Empty houses, their frames caved in and their windows shattered, were streaked with lines running along their upper walls, indi-cating where the tsunami waves had come in. A hairdresser, sitting at the win-dow sill of her shop, waited for customers who had been long gone, evacuated or dead. The bulldozers were loud at work, and yet times of silence were eerie. On our last day in Japan, we decided to visit the beach. As we drove, our Japanese friends indicated the vast wasteland along the river, where a single crooked building was stand-ing, and told us that the empty land was once a neigh-borhood. I imagined dozens of houses lined up and kids riding their bicycles on the sidewalks. When we reached the coastline, we saw that the waters

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By Elissa Lee, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

were still littered with telephone poles and rub-bish. It hit me the most when we passed by a nurs-

ing home that rested beside the beach. Everything was broken, piled outside along the broken columned

windows. Only two staff members in the nursing home had survived the tragedy of March 11th. Everyone else – the

old man who had once sat in that wheelchair, the receptionist who was in charge of the refrigerator - all of them had been washed

away, gone, leaving nothing but the haunting collection of crushed furniture and lingering memories.

And then I realized, it wasn’t just the cities, the houses that needed rebuild-ing. It was the people, who had remained so strong in their will to live, to sur-

vive. They hid their grief behind polite smiles and bows, but the loss of a home, a family member, a life they had always known... that was beyond my understand-

ing. I could only do my part and pray for the rest. Japan taught me about the human experience of traveling itself. I never want to just

simply tour anywhere anymore. On a trip to Osaka with my family three years ago, we went to sightsee. But sightseeing is merely what it denotes: seeing sights. We saw temples,

regal with age, we tasted delectable tofu hot pots, we bathed in the hot springs. We took plenty of pretty pictures, but the filmy dimensions of each one permitted nothing beyond shallow meanings. Tourist spots: where all you see are beautiful sights -- rarely anything more. And yet traveling through seemingly smaller towns and getting to know the peo-ple living there, getting to help people through their downcast times - that’s the wander-lust that I have. Like this trip to Sendai. Every night, after showering and devotional, we’d sit and share with the Japanese and American residents there. But unlike my previous travels, interacting with them was so much more. They became like family to me; they taught me that though we all come from different backgrounds, have different customs, and lead different lives, our stories embody the same human elements: a passion for life, trust, pain, suffering, patience, goodness, persistence, gratitude; faith and hope and love.The same goes for the world.

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By Emily Tang, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

esolutions filled with Times New Roman font and red annotations. Busy delegates debating current is-sues central to today’s society. It’s easy to see how

delegates could get completely lost in the serious and in-tellectual side of Model United Nations. However, a glance around any MUN conference will show you this is not the case. With every conference come delegates who know how to dress, mastering the art of blending formality with fash-ion. Have you ever wondered how some people manage to look fashionable and professional at the same time? Here are some tips:

Girls: Fashion comes with character. Flaunting a suit with well-fitting curves or wearing a colored blouse that differs from your typical white button down can give an outfit some spir-it. You can also add a feminine touch by using accessories, such as bright scarves or sassy purses. However, be sure not to over-accessorize: too much is never too good. Finally, heels. Nobody can deny them -– they give your outfit charm, class, and a few extra inches. In regards to the height, usually 2 to 3 inches heels are appropriate. That be-ing said, if you know you’re going to be on your feet all day, flats are always an option—you can be chic without the pain!

Guys: The easiest and most universal way for guys to dress with style is to keep it simple and to stick to the basics of “busi-

ness-casual” dress. That is to say—leave the shorts and car-go pants at home. A possible combination sure to work is a well-fitting shirt paired with flat-front pants made of cotton or microfiber. One addition you may not have considered is a vest. Not only does layering look stylish - it’s also practical. Inside the air-conditioned conference rooms you can keep it on, and just as easily take it off when you step outside into the swel-tering streets of Singapore. To finish it off, a simple pair of brown, navy, or black dress shoes will do the trick.

If you’re overwhelmed by all this information - don’t feel like you have to follow all of it word-for-word. Remember, the best accessories are confidence and a dazzling smile!

RDress to Impress

Mary-Pat Weber, Shanghai American School MUN admin-istrator, comments, “The administrative staff are vital be-cause the delegates need to be focusing on the debate, not how stuffy the room is or how unprepared the conference feels – without them, delegate life would be chaos!” The admin staff is responsible for sealing the doors of the conference room, maintaining order in the seminar, and, ultimately, ensuring fairness and stability throughout the week at THIMUN- Singapore. The hectic life of a delegate during a conference can be almost too much to bear, thus, the role of the admin staff is increasingly important as del-egates pass and fail resolutions, draft policy statements, and interact with other student representatives. The stress of a MUN conference is substantially reduced with the persis-

tent, hard work of the administration.Though the early and thorough preparation of the adminis-trative staff usually results in a flawless conference, should a small obstacle arise, they will be eagerly available to assist through any means. Each nuance from the norm sparks an instant reaction, every ounce of aberration triggers prob-lem-solving and the elimination of the concern. Whether it be managing logistical issues or printing resolutions for delegation members, an admin staff member is always a friendly face to count on.Essentially, the administration “sweats the small stuff ” for MUN-ers’ convenience. Somewhat overshadowed, the staff is never in the center stage of the conference – so let them know of your appreciation whenever you can!

Continued from Page 11

Behind the SceneS: the AdminiStrAtion StAff

November 16, 2011

Munity East Volume 7, Issue 1.

he THIMUN-Singapore experience is not confined to the formal setting of the SALT Center. From the moment the buses pull away from the Hwa Chong Institution, students are already contemplating their next Singapore adventures. The shopaholics look forward to the cool blast of department store air conditioners, the beach-goers

wrinkle their toes in anticipation of sun-bleached sand, and the entertainment-minded picture the adrenaline-filled screams of various thrill rides. No matter who you are, Singapore has an endless arsenal of amusement, and MUNITY-EAST is here to help you prioritize.

15

TBy Karen Sims, American School in Taichung

Shopping Orchard Road is the first stop on a serious shopper’s itinerary. Lined with glittering lights and festive holiday décor is a paradise for luxurious and casual shoppers alike. Quirky jewelry and miscellaneous knick-knacks are available at Far East Plaza (14 Scotts Road), while Ngee Ann City (391 Orchard Road) hosts designer brands such as Zara, Mango, Guess, and even Harley Davidson Motor Clothes. Also at Ngee Ann City (bookworms, rejoice!) is Kinokuniya, the largest book-store in Southeast Asia. For sweet-toothed shoppers, experienced THIMUN-Singapore delegate Mary June Manno from the American School in Taichung (Thailand, HRC) recommends visiting Candy Empire and The Cocoa Trees at Vivo City (located at Singapore’s Harbour Front).

Culture As much fun as shopping may be, some-times MUN-ers need a break and to just immerse themselves in the rich cultural experience Singa-pore has to offer. Singapore’s unique blend of eth-nic groups is manifested in cultural districts such as Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street. With souvenirs, traditional snacks, and exotic scenes, these districts are a photographer’s dream and a great place to pick up gifts.

Adrenaline junkies would recommend the GMAX Reverse Bungy Located alongside Clarke Quay. This thrill ride reaches heights of 60 meters and speeds of 200 km/hr. Not intense enough? Then the GX-5 Xtreme Swing might be more your thing, soaring 50 meters into the air before catapulting 100 meters across the Singa-pore river. Animal lovers should also take the time to check out the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

Entertainment

Munity East’s Guide to Singapore

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ingapore—an MUNer’s playground for sunbathing, shopping, and seriously good food. Bringing togeth-er the best of the East and West, the familiar and the

exotic, the spicy and the sweet, Singapore’s streets and shops are stocked with treats that will leave you in tears (of joy).Whether this is your first conference abroad or your fifti-eth, don’t be that person (we all know one) who heads to Starbucks for breakfast and McDonald’s for dinner. Sin-gaporean cuisine is simply too good to miss. So fear not, go forth, and conquer your post-debate hunger pangs with MUNITY-EAST’s guide to food in Singapore.

To quench your thirst: Bubble Tea This Taiwanese treat has attained popularity of epic pro-portions all over the world. Cool, milky, and smooth as silk, this summery drink is available in countless combinations of flavours, from green tea to chocolate to mango. Tea stands can be found all over Singapore, but the most popular chain is KOI Café’s Bubble Tea. Do as the Asians do and add a layer of chewy tapioca “pearls” for extra texture (I recom-mend the original Milk Tea with pearls for starters!).

To share with friends: Curry Puffs and SatayThere is no quicker way to experience Singapore’s fusion of cultures (or to make new friends!) than through these addictive snacks. Curry puffs—crispy, deep-fried pastry pockets bursting with curry-flavoured chicken, potatoes, or other South Asian-inspired fillings—can be found at Old Chang Kee stands or in pastry shops. Satay (originally from Indonesia) are delicious mini-kebabs that are especially good with peanut sauce. And after a hard day’s work. . . Chilli Crab, Laksa, and Char Kway Teow Chilli crab—cooked in a sweet and savoury tomato sauce—is not a dish a mere knife and fork can handle. But for those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, this rich, goopy hot mess may be the most rewarding dining experience available in Singapore. Feeling brave? Go for the “jumbo” version at Clarke Quay. Noodle dishes like laksa (spaghetti-like noodles served in a steaming coconut-curry broth) or char kway teow (similar to stir-fried noodles) are also deep-ly satisfying ways to end a day of hard work.

Swhat to Eat in Singapore

By Angie Jo, Korea International School

November 16, 2011