WAMUNC XVII (2014-2015)
WAMUNC (Washington Area Model United Nations Conference) is an extracurricular activity sponsored and staffed by The George Washington University, in which high school students play the role of delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. WAMUNC is known as one of the best High School UN conferences in the world due to its quality and location in the heart of the US capital, Washington, D.C. WAMUNC promotes the development of diplomacy and knowledge of International Affairs among high school students from around the world, allowing personal growth in an academic and engaging atmosphere.
During July of 2014, WAMUNC XVII started recruiting members with leadership willing to chair committees at the conference. As a rising freshman, I applied for the position as Vice-chair in an International Body Committee and was granted this position on the 6th committee: Legal. The conference took place in March and took 10 months of preparation. I was required to complete the background guide for the delegates, and I wrote some of the topics and reviewed the contributions of the other committee members. This background guide consisted of a detailed explanation about our definition of terrorism and profiles of some of the most known terrorists groups in the world, their operating methods, and what has been done to fight against them. After the completion of the guide, I received special training on how to chair, and on the weekend of the conference (March 19-22 of 2015), I helped the chairperson with her duties, such as passing and reading resolution papers, maintaining order amongst the delegates, and having the opportunity to chair the discussion for a period of time.
WAMUNC was very enriching to my persona as an International Affairs major because I got to understand some of the terrorist groups in my home country and abroad. This experience also gave me a better idea of the peace talks that are occurring in my home country and how it is seen from an international perspective. Speakers such as GW professors and State Department officials, gave us a political, real and current view about these issues as well.
Model UN has always been an important activity for me throughout high school, and WAMUNC seemed to be a great opportunity to continue it in college. I have always viewed MUN’s as an opportunity for young student leaders interested in the world affairs to investigate, discuss, debate, and reflect on those topics that are affecting our current world. Although I no longer participate in MUN, it definitely prepared me for experiences in Washington, D.C., such as cultural events, diplomatic relations with embassies and world leaders, activism on campus, and high level college class discussions. It not only made me more aware of the global climate, but a better citizen of the world.
Password: buffandblue2015
For more information about WAMUNC, please visit their website: http://www.wamunc.com/