Model United Nations "Together we aspire, together we achieve"

Jennyfer Dulyx
Second year member
World Conference Against Racism
  In comparison with other 3-credit courses, how much effort did the NMUN participation require of you?

It was a lot more time consuming because it required knowledge about a new topic and country every week. I also was working on the position paper and keeping my partner up to date with findings and so more of my time was used.

For second-or third-year members only: Do you think that NMUN credits ought to be limited to a maximum of 2 years of participation?

Absolutely not. The experience of the returning members is crucial and efficient in Model UN. If we restrict it to two years, we are only depriving the new students of more information and knowledge acquired during their time. Every year had brought something different, and so it does make a difference whether the members have only done it once or twice before.

What academic benefits did you derive from participating in the 2001 NMUN? If you are a second-year member, what did you learn this year that you did not learn last year?

This year I wrote a working paper on my own, allowing others to include certain ideas and words that I thought New Zealand might agree to. Last year, I was the caucusing and PR person and I did not have the experience that I had this year to be the one writing and explaining to others why this clause is or not important as it is written. Hence, my ability to write a working paper has improved and my understanding of other nations policies increased.

What non-academic benefits did you derive from participating in the 2001 NMUN? If you are a second-year member, what did you learn this year that you did not learn last year?

I gained confidence. I had a responsibility as a representative of a country and a school and I think that I handled it all well. I got closer to people whom I did not get to see beyond classes and they broadened my world. I learned to be patient, accommodating and a bit more humble.

Overall evaluation of the 2001 NMUN experience As a second year member of the Model UN, I expected the same experience to repeat itself. But I was wrong. It was better in every way. It could be because I did something different or because I saw some of the same people from last year. Last year I got to meet a lot of people and talk to them, exercising little persuasion skill that I had. This year, I met a lot fewer people because my partner was doing most of the caucusing. However, I sat and wrote a working paper, which became with the help of a few other dedicated and well informed students a draft report. While I may have not buzzed around like a bee from regional block to another, I learned how wording a request or a suggestion can make a big difference in this world.

I was supported, congratulated and respected by delegates from other schools, that was priceless. The pride that I felt when the draft reported was passed and included in the final paper was great. The time that I had spent on researching, typing and discussing with my partner and other delegates had paid off. The negotiations and the compromises had paid off. By their voting overwhelmingly for the draft report, I was being told by delegates that I did a good job. This surely will stay with me always. I hope that I remain a team player and that when the moment comes in my career when compromises need to be made, that I will be smart enough to know it.

Self-Evaluation index

Faculty Adviser: Dr. Chau T. Phan, 896-5262,phanc@rider.edu