Model United Nations

Model United Nations is a student-run simulation of a session of the United Nations that is carried out over the course of three days. I participated in two aspects of this simulation and will henceforth refer to my time spent as a delegate as (1) and my time spent as the president of the simulation's Security Council as (2).

(1) As a delegate, I was a member of the Economic and Social Committee representing the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I had to research two topics relating to the global economy and then draft a resolution that could provide a solution to each of these two topics. I then spent 3 days presenting my resolution, listening to others' resolutions, and debating the pros and cons of all things presented in the committee.

(2) As a president of the Security Council, I spent 7 months organizing the simulation along with other committee heads. We had to plan and schedule each hour of the three-day simulation and then see that it was all carried. During the simulation itself, I mediated the Security Council and generally kept order and organization amongst the delegates in my committee and the General Assembly.

I learned very different things from participating as a delegate and as a president in an MUN simulation. As a delegate, (1) I was forced to improve my public speaking skills and had to learn how to communicate in a professional environment. Also, as I am not an Economics student and do not know much about economics in general, I had to do a lot of research prior to the MUN itself. It was challenging as an American to try to see the Pakistani point of view on issues. I have grown up in a country that alienates Pakistan and I did not know much about the country before the MUN besides what I had been indoctrinated with by the media. I did want to do the country justice, though, so I worked quite hard to fully understand how best to represent the desires of Pakistan during the simulation. My research on the topic benefited others because my ability to discuss economics at a proficient level made the simulation more realistic for the other participants.

As a president of the Security Council (2), I learned about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into an MUN simulation which is therefore also a small amount of insight into the work that goes into international diplomacy. I learned to speak the language of diplomacy and how to impose a professional environment. It was more frustrating to organize the simulation than to be a part of it, but I learned a lot from my frustration. I learned how to work with my fellow organizers. This was important because I was not in control of the group and before the simulation, I did not have much experience with being a follower rather than a leader. I did anguish over the lack of control that I had over the simulation but I learned how to accept direction from others and how to personally improve my committee. This was an important experience for me because it was necessary for me to learn how to work within in a group dynamic rather than control it. The work I put in organizing the simulation really did pay off for everyone involved and I am certain that the delegates in my committee had a fulfilling and realistic MUN experience.

The skills I learned in MUN may be of great benefit to me in the future as I am considering a career in international diplomacy. However, even if I do not pursue a political career, my experience in MUN has taught me skills that will be useful, no matter what profession I find myself in. I have learned how to conduct professional dialogue, how to both organize a long-term event, how to follow the orders and directions of others, and how complicated diplomacy truly is.