A Test Of Will, Wit and Skills

SMUN was a test of wit, will, and diplomatic skills; the SIM IAS delegation put into practice, their month-long training and experimented with various styles of diplomacy.
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10 Jan 2019

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5 mins read

By Ow Jia Ming, Director-Diplomatic Conferences of SIM International Affairs Society (IAS)

Established and organised by the National University of Singapore Political Science Society in 2004, the Singapore Model United Nations (SMUN) is notably one of the most distinguished Model United Nations conferences in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region. It is highly regarded for its organisational distinction and academic prestige. Having attended the Harvard National MUN (HNMUN) and Nanyang Technological University MUN (NTU-MUN), SIM International Affairs Society (IAS) took up the challenge once again to participate in the 15th iteration of the SMUN four-day conference from 5 to 8 June 2018.

Preparations for SMUN commenced approximately one month prior to the conference through study guides and supervision and guidance by the SIM IAS MUN training team. Preparations also involved delegates preparing mock proposition papers and speeches for the big day.


SMUN simulates an actual United Nations Conference. In this picture, the delegates are seen preparing presentations for their assigned countries or nations.

SMUN was a test of wit, will, and diplomatic skills; the SIM IAS delegation put into practice, their month-long training and experimented with various styles of diplomacy. A particularly challenging conference, the SMUN saw the representation of over 500 students from schools and universities from over 24 countries, in Europe, America, Australia and Asia.

Nevertheless, SIM IAS held its own, and clinched commendable results; two delegates received honorary mentions. Bryan Tan Jun Liang and Ow Jia Ming, delegate representatives of the World Health Organisation and Legal General Assembly respectively, both received Verbal Commendations for their performance at the SMUN 2018.


Participating delegates at the event which is organised by the National University of Singapore.

 

Ow Jia Ming, SIM IAS Director of Diplomatic Conferences (in pink shirt), engaged in a discussion with his peers. Jia Ming also received a Verbal Commendation for his performance at the conference.

 

“The vastly different democratic dynamics of SMUN have provided the MUN training team a perspective shift in our training programme. Not only was the team given a platform to evaluate our individual strengths, the insights gained from this experience will hold us in good stead as we continue to develop proficient candidates for MUN programmes locally, regionally, and internationally,” said Ow Jia Ming, SIM-University Of London BSc Science (Economics and Politics) student and SIM International Affairs Society Director of Diplomatic Conferences.

To find out more about SIM International Affairs Society, email: simias@sim.edu.sg or visit them on Facebook

Posted online, 23 August 2018