RENMUN X — A Conference to Throw Back On
By Ella Wong
The beginning of March heralded RENMUN X—a prestigious MUN conference hosted by RCHK.
362 delegates flocked for an exciting two days of insightful, gripping debate and new friendships. Not to mention the incredible merch, and, as the Secretariat put it, hopefully “a bellyful of Maltesers.”
MUN, or Model United Nations, is an academic simulation of how the United Nations works. Acting as delegates of countries across the globe, students give speeches, discuss, and debate on solutions to the world’s most pressing problems; guided and supported by their committee Chairs.
It’s exhausting, and sometimes preparation alone is enough to make one crash out; but the event is also enthralling and incredibly rewarding.
It’s “a really fun experience,” muses the delegate of the United States, NATO. “Not only do you get to debate and discuss [...] ongoing international issues, it’s also a very unique experience, to immerse yourself into a representative of certain countries, especially if your own morals do not align with the delegation that you’re assigned to.”
“It [MUN] motivated me to research and learn more about current issues in the world, and allowed me to gain a more profound understanding of international relations and different countries.”
“MUN is definitely worth joining,” the delegate of Denmark, NATO says. “It’s a wonderful experience where you can improve your public speaking, leadership and teamwork, researching and writing skills, and it’s also very fun as you can make many friends.”
“It’s fun, cuz you get to fight people, but like, formally,” quips the delegate of Syria, WHO.
“I can drown my sorrows in the world’s larger sorrows,” deadpans the delegate of Romania, NATO. “In all seriousness, though, you get to meet so many new friends, and learn about both history and current affairs from different perspectives. It’s eye-opening, and delegates are always challenging your critical thinking.”
The theme for this year’s iteration of RENMUN was “Throwing It Back.” No, not the dance move. (Okay, maybe the dance move.) Aidan Lai, General Secretariat, along with Milo O’Neill, says the leadership team chose this “double entendre” for its quirky memorability.
Throwing it Back is “a recognition of what our predecessors have done, and throwing it back to them”; paying homage to the students who once opened their doors into the wonderful world of MUN, and reminiscing on the nostalgia of their MUN careers.
As Year 12 students, this will be Aidan and Milo’s last year serving as RENMUN Secretariat, and Throwing it Back was about creating memories they could look fondly back on.
“It’s the conference that [Milo and I act as Secretary General for], the conference where we are in the biggest position of responsibility,” Aidan remarks. “To be in the same position as the people we look up to, made this very special for us.”
With its bittersweet significance in mind, RENMUN X truly lived up to its theme. Special shout-out to Babes, RENMUN’s mascot pug!
Photo by Ella Wong
Leo O’Neill, Deputy Chair of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, says “my favourite part of the conference was the closing ceremony. Not only was it super cool to make a speech as a Chair and give out the awards [...], it was also nice to see lots of people that I know make speeches or win awards!”
Head Chair of UNODC, Ines Baud, shared the sentiment. “I’d say my favourite part of the conference would be the closing ceremony ‘cause we got to see all the chairs go up and talk. [...] As a chair, to see all the delegates’ smiles when they ran up to get awards is so heartwarming. Also seeing the entire secretariat team all up there together was really nice.”
Christal Zheng, Deputy Chair of Human Rights Council, said her favourite moment was when “my delegates fought over [the] Subway [lunches the conference provided].”
Kal-El Chow, Head Chair of Economic and Social Council, comments that his was “at the end of the conference; when we got treated to Chair dinner, and I ate five, six bowls of Mou Mou Club by myself.”
“All the friends I made along the way,” says the delegate of Sweden, NATO. “Even though we were debating against each other, everyone was extremely supportive and I am thankful for every single one of them.”
Another popular element was the banter box, where delegates drop often humorous (sometimes confessional) notes; to be read aloud by Chairs to the committee at the conference’s end.
Some highlights were “the one that shipped me with South Africa—you know who you are,” jokes the delegate of Russia, DISEC.
Aidan’s favourite was one that said “the co-chair of UNODC, Leo, his ‘hair looks like an enoki mushroom’, and they drew a little picture of Leo looking like a mushroom.”
Oh and, he continues, lighting up, “towards the end of the conference, when all the delegates had left, someone found their MUN baddie. Someone found love in our conference, which made it very special for me.”
Thank you so much to everyone who made RENMUN X possible; Secretariat, Chairs, teachers, guest speakers, admins, delegates, and everybody behind the scenes. We’ll all be eagerly awaiting a spectacular RENMUN XI.
Any words of advice as we prepare for next year?
“Don’t let a conference be ruined if you don’t win something,” Hrithik Samtani, Head of Conference Affairs, says.
Awards may be alluring, but what’s important is the experience; the learning; and, as Aidan adds, the people. “Get to know your peers, your fellow delegates, and stay in contact with them. The best thing you can do for yourself is make friends with these people.
“MUN isn’t for everyone, and there are people who do find it very boring; and you should acknowledge those feelings as well. But people who find it boring—that should not prevent you from trying and going to conferences.”
You never know until you try. We might even see you at RENMUN XI; in which case, good luck and happy debating!