Surviving College: The Kenya M.U.N. Experience #2

Your probably thinking , "Now this girl enjoyed the heck out of Kenya MUN, two articles in a span of a few days?" Well, it would be gravely hypocritical to negate your thought. What I will say however is that the previous Kenya MUN article stood a chance of being rather long. So, what better way of stopping myself from writing a novel from a one week experience than splitting what was meant to be a single article into two.

The final and second part of this series serves as pointers to you and reminders to me on how to get the most out of an MUN experience. I would have honestly preferred it to be your go-to guide on being the best delegate but I figured,that would be one of those it-takes-one-to-know-one situations and although I know of a couple best delegates, I am not one myself. Therefore I choose not to lurk in unknown territory but spill on my observations from the trenches.

1. Rules of procedure. Be as acquainted as you can with these. This fancy jargon can be either hell on earth for newbies or a walking on sunshine fete once you get the hang of it. The good news is the more you are around it, the easier it becomes. It should not be the reason why you are not leaving it all on the dais.

2. Know your country. From the not so big things like being a kingdom or republic, its location to the gargantuan things like allies and enemies, foreign policy, GDP. This is just to prevent embarrassing moments like supporting a resolution that is not even remotely close to your countries foreign policy or worse the complete opposite of its policy.

3. Confidence. Chin up, shoulders back and head for the dais like it ain't nothing but a thing. Speak with the confidence of a rapper spitting the illest rhyme. This coupled with relevant content makes one lean, mean debating machine.

4. Content. Keep abreast of the current and past details of the issues in question. When you know what you are talking about, your confidence is at a record high as opposed to when you are just winging it.

5. Participate. Write, submit and read your resolution, raise your placard for both time for and against, be heard in crisis situations even though I am not a fan of those, get called out for two-way conversation, raise a point of parliamentary inquiry or even move a motion to adjourn debate. Of course do all this sensibly. Keep in mind, however big and powerful  or small and unknown your country is, it does not matter. I am pretty sure I made the Kingdom of Tonga proud, yes, that is a country. The last thing you want to be is the delegate who raised the placard only when it was time to vote.

6. Dress to impress. I would say go crazy but the fact remains that it is an official environment and the term "going crazy" will not do it. But still do not be a plain Jane or John about it. You can  afford to shake it up a little, for instance it doesn't have to be all suit and tie, you could be the definition of bourgeois and throw in a kravatt into the mix or be a show stopper in cultural wear.

7. Have fun. Make friends, have a sense of humor, Heck! Be the committee clown if you have to while adding to the quality of debate. Make it memorable for you. Your best thing about the entire conference should not be the super comfortable swivel chairs, although I do admit a break from the wooden chairs back at school is much appreciated.

I would be happy to hear anymore of your own pointers since there are a lot more tips out there or even contradictions you may have in regards to my own. Other than that,

Have a good one!