The Hague International Model United Nations -THIMUN (23-28 Jan 2011)

Report by Head of Humanities Faculty Mr. Samuel Lim

An Insight into The Hague International Model United Nations  (THIMUN):
With between 3500 and 4000 participants annually, the Hague International Model United Nations  (THIMUN) conference in the Hague in the Netherlands is probably the largest Model United Nations conference in the world. The THIMUN Conference, which is organized by the THIMUN Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), also prides itself on being the most international, with students of around 100 different nationalities from high schools situated in five continents participating every year. It is one of the longest conferences, taking place over six days, and the widest in scope, covering as it does almost every organ of the United Nations.

Hwa Chong International School (HCIS): Unprecedented Participation in THIMUN 2011 (23-28 January 2011)
Hwa Chong International School was honoured to be offered  an unprecedented  invitation to send a delegation to the XLIII Annual Session of The Hague International Model United Nations  which was held in The Hague from 23-28 January 2011. Under the guidance of the MUNS directors/teachers in-charge, Mr. Samuel Lim Ming Chun and Ms. Gillian Tan, ten Pre-University Two students from Hwa Chong International School (HCIS) participated in the THIMUN 2011, representing the delegation of Montenegro.

Since last October 2010, our school delegation had to do intensive research on Montenegro. Having been assigned to General Assembly 2-4; Disarmament Commission; Environment Commission and Human Rights Commission, they had to craft position papers, engage in peer vetting and critique, as well as preparing opening speeches. The conference took place in the Hague World Forum. During the conference period, our school students who represented Montenegro, crafted and debated resolutions together with other delegates. Delegates learned how to negotiate and compromise, justifying their stand to other delegates in order to successfully pass a resolution. Participants from our school stayed up late every night to prepare for the next day's conference.

Apart from the conference, our school participants and the accompanying teachers enjoyed traveling around the Hague and visited the Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. In particular, we had a cruise around the Amsterdam's world famous canals.

THIMUN 2011 was truly a memorable experience for our school's delegation of Montenegro.

Our Reflections:
"THIMUN is considered to be one of the most prestigious international conferences. Students aged younger than me were able to walk up to the podium with an air of gracefulness and spoke with voice full of conviction and passion." - Alex Lau Yao Zhong (Pre U 2J - Head of Delegation/General Assembly 3)

"THIMUN witnessed the deepening of my passion in Economics as I was given a myriad of opportunities to deliberate on various pertinent economic issues with hundreds of delegates across the world. It was amazing for me to work together with students of different nationalities having a shared interest in Economics or Finance." - Nat Sgulmutita (Pre U 2E - General Assembly 2)

"An awe-inspiring week of debate on territorial disputes and democracy. THIMUN is the creme de la creme, not for the faint heart." - Matthew Low (Pre U 2J - General Assembly 4)

"My greatest takeaway from THIMUN is the building of my self-confidence in public speaking. I have learnt to air my views on global issues in front of a few hundreds of foreign student participants. I managed to overcome my fear and exude my interest towards global crime & punishment issues during the conference." - Cho Ah Young (Pre U 2E - Special Conference Crime and Punishment Sub-Com 2)

"The delegate of Montenegro believes that human rights have been secured throughout the week of THIMUN!" - Ian Lim (Pre U 2J - Human Rights Council Sub-Com 1)

"This delegate strongly urges all my juniors to consider participating in this memorable event as this will be a great chance to gain confidence in public speaking and socialize with many people of different nationalities." - Park Ho Jung (Pre U 2I - Human Rights Council Sub-Com 2)

"Participating in THIMUN has not only raised my awareness of the global environmental issues, but also has enabled me to gain greater insights into the other U.N committees. This conference has boosted my confidence in public speaking." - Betty Huang (Pre U 2J - Environment Council Sub-Com 1)
"This was my first Model United Nations conference working together with other delegates from all over the world. It is my pleasure to represent the school and participate in such an international conference!" - Li Yu Chen (Pre U 2J - Environment Council Sub-Com 2)

"Through Model United Nations, one can see that the world is facing many crises ranging from poverty, terrorism to disarmament. Together with delegates from around the world, we developed comprehensive solutions through intense debates and draftings. Although the preparation was tedious and lengthy, it all paid off in the end. I would greatly recommend THIMUN to anyone who shows immense interest in global affairs and loves to have  intellectual engagement with foreign delegates. Furthermore, a big thank you to Mr. Samuel Lim and Ms. Gillian Tan for making this event a memorable one." - Andreson (Pre U 2I - Disarmament Commission Sub-Com 2)

"THIMUN is actually an intriguing and exciting experience for me! I had the opportunity to speak in front of over five hundred foreign student participants. I love THIMUN!" - Bryan Wan (Pre U 2J - Special Commission)