‘I’m gonna look the prettiest.’ I thought to myself as I joined my first Model UN which was happening in my school and was hosting a lot of other school students as well. I pulled off a red saree with a golden shimmer border and an ounce of foundation on my face. With coal-like kohl smeared on my eyelids, I went to my first MUN dressed up to kill anyone who’d endanger themselves by glancing my way.
The results of my laborious effort to put collateral damage to the MUNers were void. Nothing happened. Other than dancing at the Motion of Entertainment, I received rarely any second glances. It hurt to realize that I was just another pretty face there. At the end of the three days, I realized the privilege the out-spoken people received; the spotlight which shone on them. Not the prettiest one but the boldest one.
It was surprisingly settling to think about how I don’t have to worry about cakey concealer again or the hair on my arms. You could still be the center of attention as long as you knew the conflict's contents and could elaborate on it. If you could just muster the courage to speak, talk and address. For the first time in my life, I felt as though I have the power to be invincible or invisible regardless of my efforts in my appearance.
I kick-started my MUN journey when things for a typical student who wanted to learn were not definitely challenging, not tranquil but varied among these two. The over-the-top price tags were accompanied by strict formals of large overcoats, glossiest lipsticks, and 4-inch high heels, it was an ECA reserved for the posh ones who could afford to spend the money. However expensive the fees remain which generally range from NRs 3500-8000, these conferences failed to provide us with the actual worth of experience. There is just another MUN happening around the corner and I can’t exhaust myself by attending each one of these. So I make a decision and most committees remain empty. Then a shadow delegation pops out of nowhere and excites the committee and puff! The next day he disappears like the genie he arose.
The socials with prom nights, holi parties, etc outshine the conference. Everyone likes to have fun once in a while. We all like to rejoice in life but why must that intersect with our willingness to learn and actually subside it? How dare they ask me, ‘Would you like to be my date to the Prom?’ instead of ‘Are you willing to be a Signatory in my Resolution?’ That would be a better way of approaching with lesser chances of ignorance or rejection. So much more romantic. ‘Yes sir, I would love to be the signatory and bear your babies.’ Too extreme and inappropriate? Though so.
Moving on, I miss the inclusion part dearly. I grew up in Budhanilkantha School with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. It is a privilege to hear them talk and share their part of the story. To witness things change from their perspective. But the only delegates that seem to join MUNs are the upper-middle class and the privileged ones. This monotonous class of people binds them in a constrained framework of similar thought patterns and doesn’t let you explore the difference in worlds which is not what MUNs are established for.
Recently, I had the privilege of hosting Everest International Model United Nations via Youth Thinkers’ Society. The biggest Model UN conference in and around Nepal. Their unwillingness to compromise with the academic and learning aspect of MUN is the most praiseworthy aspect. I even had a chance to hear Swornim Wagle during Talk Sessions talk about his new book and dearly wanted to question him about so many things yet the short time ensured that I only remind him that we shared some part together which was being a member of SEBS and how he was a figure I looked up to and wanted to invite him to speak at the school when I was the President of Forum of Young Economist Club.
When organizers approach me these days to work with them in organizing one MUN or the other and ask for a suggestion. I always say ‘Increase the academic perspective.’ ‘Increase the social inclusion perspective.’ But the foundation of these MUNs is situated on such a fragile base that if the socials are subsidized for more academic purposes, the chances of delegations are weak. So, you could compromise on conferences and talk shows but not on the party. Thrilling!
Hence, I stopped seeking out MUNs anymore. You could argue that there’s always something to learn from an experience but it’s about how much and the quantity and quality when I am willing to invest my time and energy into it. While I research, recall, analyze and craft this article, I believe I learn so much more about my journey these past 4 years and the person I want to model myself into; this learning is so much more fruit-bearing than the wind I seem to get at the 3 days MUNs these days.
I also want to actively criticize MUN organizers and call out people that are actively involved in the loop of making more money from MUNs or trading email addresses to consultancies for money so they could go to Sukute Beach and drink a few bottles of Arna. It is a state-level crime to share personal data and information. Morally, it is pitiful and shameful. I can proudly admit to rejecting such offers when I held the office of Secretary General of BNKSMUN 2021. But the rate at which I was getting such phone calls and requests was alarming met with astonishing silence and comments when I rejected them.
What would I change from my experience in past MUNs? Definitely, seeking out a more interactive and open, accepting, and appreciating group of people. Along with being on the lookout for and going to MUNs was more rewarding and worthwhile. As of right now, I seem to find an organization that tends to stumble and stands on the same agendas and pages as me, and I am extremely happy to be associated with it. It is a blessing to be able to do things you like. I like MUNs and wouldn’t stop doing it. I’d like to believe it has transformed me as a person and added more layers of confidence, awareness, and dignity to me as person and am extremely grateful to have been introduced to it. For my experience and this article, I am forever entitled to the red saree with a golden shimmer border.
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