My experiences at DAVMUN 2010

Well, here I am back again. After National Abilympics, I had been really working hard for DAVMUN 2010 on the 13th, 14th and 15th November. As it is, it was my first MUN, and then I was selected for the UNSC, which is suppose to be the toughest committee involving intensive debate and discussion. I was really nervous. After the opening ceremony on the 13th, the conference was declared open by the Sec. Gen. Our chair, Arkaprava Bokshi was extremely nice, also supportive, cooperative and helpful. So goes for other executive board members. And before that, let me tell you that I was the delegate of the United States of America. After voting on the order of agenda, it was decided that the committee will be discussing `situation in south Asia` pertaining to Taliban insurgency and Kashmir issue before the 2nd agenda, i.e. governance of Antarctica. Subsequently, a few GSL speeches followed. After the lunch, it was my turn to deliver my speech. Almost all the delegates had alligations against USA. Somehow, I managed to overcome them. As far as I remember, we also had a mod caucus on the Kashmir issue, wherein the delegates of India and Pakistan were actually at war with each other (LOL!). After this solutions to the Kashmir issue were discussed and deliberated upon, the best one being peaceful bilateral negociations between the two countries. We also had a mod caucus on solutions to combat Taliban insurgency. The session concluded and we were asked to write working papers on the solutions. That night, I slept at about 1. It was really tiring.

Next day, again ready with the same enthusiasm and passion for MUNing.The day started with a discussion on human rights, or in fact, to be more specific, the rights of women in Afghanistan. Soon after, the Sec. Gen. with the deputy Sec. Gen. came in with a crisis. It went like this:

a. In Dehradun, a joint military training exercise underway between India and Russian Federation
b. Attacked by a missile from the disputed region of China
c. Suspects traced to Australia; Australian nationals

I was thinking of making a statement, and just then another update was received:

d. Interrogation reveals that the attack was state-sponsered by the Government of United States of America.

I was asked to make a statement soon. Well, my statement was I don’t know how. It went something like this:

“Our deepest condolences with the Govts. Of India and Russian Federation in this period of grief and mourning.USA strongly condemns the attack. Further, the American Constitution enshrines strict condemning of state-sponsered terrorism. As our President has put across, “USA condemns all sorts of terrorism, especially state-sponsered terrorism.” Further, the delegate would like to bring before the committee that the Reuters report only claims, not proves US’s intervention. It was any ways not wise to simply believe on what the suspects have said. Until and unless, intelligence sources confirm US intervension, the Govt. will not be answerable. Further, if it is found that the elements of the US Govt. are responsible, then they will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible under the law.”


I hope it was a bit convincing. We were then faced with the task of forming solutions and recommendations for the crisis, and thereby writing a resolution. The resolution was unanimously passed by all the delegates. The entire day went in the crisis hence. At the end, we also review one working paper on Taliban insurgency framed by the sponsors: delegates of People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We did not discuss it though, and were asked to write and format the working papers in a proper manner by the next morning. As soon as I reached my home, the work sarted immediately: collaboration with the delegates of India, France, UK etc. At about 12:30 AM, the resolution was ready.

The ultimate day: It began with a few speeches under the speaker’s list and then a thorough review of the 1st working paper. Several provisions went against my foreign policy, to which I responded by asking the other block to delete it, or else get vetoed. Well, all those provisions were deleted, and even then I abstained from voting, though I’d promised something else. Then was our resolution: it did have several flaws, many of which were pointed out by the Exec Board. After bringing about amendments etc., both the resolutions were put to vote (after the possoibility of a merger was denied by my block members: France, UK etc.). The first resolution failed with 6 yes’s, 4 no’s and 5 abstains. The second resolution, i.e. the one that I’d sponsored passed, an was adopted. This brought us to the culmination of the DAVMUN 2010 UNSC discussions. Nervous and keeping my fingers crossed, I proceeded to the closing ceremony. The results were announced-best delegates: Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. I was somewhat disappointed and disillusioned, however at the same time, accepted it as those guys were quite experienced, and this was my first MUN. Then followed Best Delegate High Commendation Awards, and it turned out to be United States of America and Bosnia and Herzegovina. I was extremely elated. This was definitely convincing, considering this being my 1st MUN. I was really very very happy about this, and I just hope that such fantabulous experiences at MUNs go on and on!

Yesterday was also the 13th National Science Olympiad. According to the answer key on te PCCP Resonance’s website, I’m securing a 48/50, which is pretty good. For the benefit of the readers, I am also furnishing the hyperlink for the website where one can find the key for the esterday’s paper.

http://pccp.resonance.ac.in

For now, I’m studying: have an MT on Monday. Will write in soon!