General Assembly Hall
Background
“ Is this Robert Hsiao? Are you interested in an event called National Model United Nations? ………..” I still have vivid memories of the day Jessie called me and told me about NMUN, and later my decision to join it (at first it was the tempting thought of going to New York).
So, what is model United Nations? After the first few sessions, I found out what “Model United Nation” was: students have to simulate being delegates of a particular country and have to participate in the entire process of a United Nation conference, from the drafting of the working paper to the final voting of a resolution. National Model United Nations, with over 4000 students from all corners of the globe, is the largest university-level Model United Nations in the world. The mere thought of going to such a conference excited and scared me, but As the great Latin Poet Horace Wrote: “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.*” We only have one lifetime, so why not give it a try?
*: Seize the day, trusting little in the future
My goal
My goal in attending NMUN was not “NMUN” at all, rather I wanted to have a global perspective of things and see different viewpoints from other students around the world.
In this century of globalization, your means of competitiveness are not just your skills anymore. It is your insight, your vision and your resourcefulness that puts you above the pack, and what other better chance than attending an conference with 3999 other different viewpoints from around the world? Global vision is the key to success in the 21st century!
Preparation
The preparation really took a lot of time and dedication. With regular sessions every Thursday, we covered topics on Finland ( our assigned country) and researched into individual topics, then gave presentation afterwards. Then finally we had a simulation with students from Cheng-Chi University and an on campus demo. Although tiring, doing a thorough research was necessary. Special thanks Dr. Yang, for her guidance, time and dedication for this project. My gratitude also lies to Dr. Hanreich and Ginger Ku, for their insightfull sessions. And to Jessie for her dealing with the the very details of the sessions; from the lunch boxes to making arrangements.
The Conference
The real conference was really a eye-popping experience, and words cannot accurately describe it. It is really a smaller scale of global village, and a great oppurtunity to make friends with people all around the world. If fact, I found out that Germans weren’t as serious and punctilious as others say they are and can have a great time too, and I fully understand why others call it British humour! The passion of the Italians are true! (Austrians are cool!)
I find the American’s competitiveness most intriguing, for they are the most proactive of the group and can attract attention with ease. While Asian have a tendency of shyness, and this dilemma must be overcome if it wants to play a more crucial role in the conference.
Caucusing took up most of the time in the conference, but implicitly, it expresses two of the core values of United Nations: collaboration and negotiation.
In the world today, no one nation can work alone or guarantee that the decisions it makes does not conflict with the interests of other countries. So to bring the best interest to a country or region, many countries work together to form a union (EU, APEC, African Union) and thus have a bigger say.
Voting is another important procedure of the conference, diplomats of a country must choose in the best interest of his countryman and every country has a say, every vote counts.
Together, that is the educational purpose of the Model United Nations.
It saddens me to say that the authority of the United Nations was deeply undermined when the USA decide to act at its own accord and started the war on Iraq, so it up to our generation to rebuild that trust and authority of the United Nations. Just as the NMUN slogan says, “ working for a world without violence.”
My Thoughts on New York
I can only say I have mixed feelings of New York City. It has the riches of the world, and yet the homelessness on the streets are overhelming and the streets aren’t exactly stainless either (with enough holes to compare to Taipei’s). I think this is the definition of capitalism to the extreme.
And yet, it is the culture center of the world, with many famaliar names such as Broadway shows and the many designer brands in the fifth avenue.
To me, the most attractive thing about New York was its buildings and Central Park. Skyscrapers sit beside century old curches, New age building reflect shadows of an Gothic hotel across the street. The buildings of New York never loose an artistic but contradictory touch.
Central park was the lone pearl in the forest of buildings.
The success of New York constitutes from the vast ethnicity of its citizens, and is a role model of ethnic harmony and Democracy. I can never forget how New York changed my values and reminded me that nothing in this world was impossible.
Afterthoughts
I can never forget the words the ambassador at the Taipei Culture Office office told us: “ Although Taiwan is contantly suppressed by China, but what can we do? We can make the best of it! If they don’t let us in the general assembly, we can still hear what was being discussed by having lunch with diplomats of other countries.”
Yes, make the best of it! Life is a challenge, everything is. But sometimes we are not the ones in control, but there are always alternatives.
UN Headquarters
Violence stops with cooperation, and success starts with participation
With new friends
Special thanks to President Lee, Dr. Yang and all others associated, for giving me a chance to see the world.
From the moment you set your eyes on New York, You'll understand why immigrants called it the Promised land.
From the moment you step into the general assembly hall, be aware that a different you will come out.
Finally, treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children!
