Indonesian Student Association for International Studies (ISAFIS) once again became the premium partner of U.S. Embassy Jakarta to present ISAFIS-@america Model United Nations held in @america, a high-tech American cultural center in Pacific Place Mall, Jakarta, Indonesia on November 24th, 2013. Following the success story of last year’s event, this event attracted up to 343 delegates from universities and high school all over Indonesia in a United Nations Development Program simulation on the topic of “Energy Challenges in 21st Century”.
The co-founder and former Secretary General, Indah Gilang Pusparani, who also a Media Associate for Best Delegate, shared her view, “This is a unique opportunity to reach out Model UN to new audience and transform it into a pop culture for Indonesian youth. I myself see Model UN phenomenon is growing fast in Indonesia and more students, teachers, and young people realizes the educational benefit of Model UN.”
the Committee Session is supported by @america high-tech facilities (photo courtesy of Indah Gilang)
343 delegates from all over Indonesia gathered at ISAFIS-@america Model United Nations (pthoto courtesy of Indah Gilang)
Unlike conventional Model UN, this event offers a new approach of Model UN workshop and simulation in series of inspiring talkshow, movie screening, presentation of rules and procedures of Model UN, and thought-provoking Model UN simulation. Delegates and committee also enjoyed the perks of @america with state-of-the-art technology, such as many large screens for showing off the formal debate flow, video streaming, TweetBeam-Pages, and slideshows.
The event was officially opened by Kristen Bauer, Chargé d’Affairs, U.S. Embassy Jakarta, followed by a welcome speech by Maya Susanti, President of ISAFIS, who reiterated the objective of this one-of-a-kind Model UN workshop and simulation, “the grand aim of this event is to introduce ISAFIS as the leading student-run International Studies organization Indonesia, and its interest on Model United Nations. We have been here for 29 years in promoting mutual understanding among youth. And, we are very glad that the response from the youth are overwhelming.”
The delegates also actively involved in a triggering talk on Indonesian Development Policy presented by Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi, Member of Commission VII, and Joel Kopp, Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Officer, U.S. Embassy Jakarta, and on people-run Micro-hydro Power Plant project by Pradydha Kumayan Jati, from People Centered Business and Economic Initiative (IBEKA).
Joel Kopp, Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Officer, U.S. Embassy Jakarta (photo courtesy of @america)
All-star seasoned Chairs from ISAFIS. (photo courtesy of Indah Gilang)
MUN Introduction Presentation with High-tech facilities (photo courtesy of Indah Gilang)
To proliferate the enthusiasm and educational benefit of Model UN, Gea Larissa Kuncoro from ISAFIS presented “Model United Nations: An Introduction” to the delegates and walk-in participants, most of whom are new-comers and high school students.
The talk definitely improved the quality of the debate during the committee session, as debate heated on whether the world need to curb the rise on fossil fuel demands first or to speed up the transition process towards renewable energy. Surprisingly, developing countries like Turkmenistan, Ethiopia, Democratic People Republic of Korea, along with Japan and People Republic of China stood out at the committee session.
the heated debate at unmoderated caucus (photo courtesy of Indah Gilang)
Left to right: delegate of Turkmenistan (Honorable Mention), delegate of Ethiopia (Outstanding), and delegate of Japan (Best Delegate) (photo courtesy of Indah Gilang)
At the end of the session, delegate of Japan was crowned Best Delegate, delegate of Ethiopia was the Outstanding Delegate, and delegate of Turkmenistan was for the Honorable Mention. Congratulations delegates!
Nadia Sekarsari, delegate of Japan who won Best Delegate award shared her impression towards this event, “I know this opportunity from Facebook, it is very popular. I think this event can sharpen my diplomatic skills and allow me to get connected with fellow Indonesian MUN enthusiasts. Besides, unlike other workshop or simulation, this is free and @america is so cool! I like how the Director make everything under control and promote the debate to be very subtantial. It is very useful for newbies to get to know Model UN without worrying being crushed on the debate!”
So, when are going to join the Model UN phenomenon? Because, even a newbie can shine!
