"Together we aspire, together we achieve"
Evaluation of the 1973 NMUN Experience
Country represented: Tanzania
The 1973 National Model United Nations was the most gratifying endeavor, both educationally and personally, that I have experienced in my entire college career. As a member of the National Staff, I often found myself placed in situations that called for personal qualities that I was unaware I possessed.
One of my foremost shortcomings is my difficulty in speaking before groups of people and in my work in the NMUN this year I found myself forced to overcome this difficulty. In rapporteuring and chairing (which I did for the last session), I gained a confidence in my own abilities which I could not have acquired in any classroom.
I came into contact with many people this year from all over the country (and the world) whom I will always remember fondly and who gave me a much broader outlook on the UN and its functions.
I would strongly urge that in future years the faculty strongly encourage any students who are interested in working with the Secretariat. It is an unparalleled intellectual and personal experience and it gives the student an opportunity to continue working with the NMUN after graduation.
At the outset of our NMUN project, I stated to the group my hope that the NMUN would be a great and enjoyable learning experience. I believe my hopes were realized. Intellectually, I was inspired to continue reading and studying about the United Nations, the roles of the major powers (especially the U.S. and USSR) in that body, the role of Africa in world affairs, and comparative government in general. I did learn a great deal about those subjects and I want to learn more. In an intellectual sense, then, my hopes were satisfied and then some. I also learned much about group interaction in a situation like the one that existed, mainly about parliamentary procedure, conducting meetings, and being able to think on one’s feet. The last point is the most important to me, and the experience gained in New York will help me immensely in that area.
Now I can sincerely say that the NMUN program was one of the most rewarding experiences with which I have been involved during my three years at Rider.
In sum, I would say that this program was highly rewarding; mainly because I had so many frustrations to overcome in order to accomplish anything at all.
I feel that the 1973 NMUN was the most intellectually stimulating extra-curricular activity I have participated in at Rider. One benefit of an activity such as NMUN, is to learn how to order one’s thoughts in the rapidity of debate. A person is always judged by his or her ability to articulate ideas, NMUN gives the student an opportunity to attempt dialogue with other students of various geographical locations and several disciplines of previous study. Nowhere else have I had the opportunity to meet so wide a range of fascinating and intellectual people except when I was a member of the Madison College debate team. Personally, I found NMUN to be exciting and enjoyable both on the Conference floors and off.
Finally
I would just like to say that NMUN will remain one of my fondest memories
of college and that I am thankful to our two faculty advisors
for giving me the opportunity to belong to such a worthwhile organization.