Final Reflection

After 2 years at OSC, i have been consistently taking part in MUN for the creativity component of CAS, and Habitat for Humanity for action and service components, in addition to participating in other projects and events like the Week Without Walls and Sports Days. 

In both of the MUN conferences i took part in i played a different role with different responsibilities, and in each conference i learnt new things. In the 2012 Conference, as a Delegate, my role in debating and discussing current world crisis's and planing the development of the world as a whole, helped me gain a greater understanding of the world today and allowed me to engage with issues of global importance. I developed my public speaking and debating skills, and also worked collaboratively with others well. In MUN, compromise and diplomacy is important in order to meet the goals of the majority, especially when there is conflict. The 2013 conference, where i took on a leadership role as Vice-President of the ECOSOC, developed my skills as a leader during conference, and also in organization and administration during the preparation in the weeks leading up to conference. The 2 years of MUN have taught me a great deal, developing skills and my understanding of the world. 

Like with MUN, i have stuck with Habitat for Humanity the whole 2 years. The habitat builds, in addition to being a great workout, have given me a greater understanding of the housing issues in Sri Lanka, taught me about construction and building techniques and allowed us to interact with the people we are helping. The knowledge i have gained over these 2 years, both about the socio-economic circumstances of many people in the country, and about mixing cement, laying bricks and roof tiles and flooring, will stick with me into the future. The feeling of seeing our completed work, and especially when we return to previous build sites and see families living in the houses we helped build is so amazing. And their overwhelming gratitude, even though we made such a small contribution compared to the professional builders, is just heartwarming. Habitat has been such a enjoyable and fulfilling experience that i seriously consider doing more work with them during my gap year. 

Final Habitat Build - 23rd March

For our last build we went to a site near the Airport. There were already some houses put up by previous volunteer groups. This build wasn't too different from the others. This time we were putting up concrete pillars. There were already metal moulds erected onto the foundation, we had to mix the cement and pour it in. there was also a foundation that needed to be dug out for an extra room. So we split into two groups and then switched halfway through. The mixing as usual wasn't extremely tiring, but did require some technical expertise. Though as we moved around the house, carrying the cement proved to be very arduous. Digging up dirt didn't need any skill but was exhausting - the ground was very compact in this area.
It was a little sad that this would be the last build we would have to do. after 2 years i had stuck with Habitat for humanity. It was enjoyable as well as rewarding, and i seriously consider volunteering individually after i am done with school

COMUN - 3rd Day of Conference

 Me, Discussing some important matters with the delegate of Egypt regarding Carbon Tax

Overseeing the debate, which is my job

 The delegate of Iran, makes some comments on the role of subsidies in creating unfair competition

 His comments have obviously raised some controversy, other delegates are desperate to interject

The Delegate of Spain, speaks and makes hand gestures to supplement his points

After having an epiphany, the Delegate of China seeks to share it with the house

The Delegate of Zambia finds it all quite amusing

While the Delegate of the UK turns to face his opposition, the Delegate of South Korea, his supporter, the delegate of India attempts to defend the UK and counter the points brought out by South Korea.

The Delegate of Egypt has just heard a remark contradicting his stance on the issue, he raises his placard to comment.

COMUN - 2nd Day of Conference

COMUN - 1st Day of Conference

On the first conference day we opened with discussing the topic - The Question of the formulation of a comprehensive "aid, development and civil protection program" for IDP's and civil society within the Gaza Strip. This topic addresses an issue of global importance - the problem of creating long term development for the people within the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while hostilities are still present. The ECOSOC's mandate is not to find a conclusion to the debate between the two sides but to ensure that the people of Gaza are protected during this time and are given the means to develop. However despite this fact, there still much discussion on the legitimacy of the Israeli state, mainly brought up by the delegate of Iran. I felt that this discussion would not lead to any agreement since the opposing sides would be violating their foreign policy if they agreed to compromise. I tried to end the debate on the Palestinian statehood, and move onto a discussion on the best way to help and protect the people caught in the conflict, but to no avail.

3rd Practice Debate

Me, in the green t-shirt, moderating the debate as i am meant to do

 The Delegate of The Netherlands is very happy about some turn of events in the discussion, gives someone a thumbs up

The delegate of Finland, thinking either about the diplomatic strategy he is going to use, or about snow

 Rolling his eyes, the Delegate of China doesn't find his fellow delegate's argument very convincing

 With his characteristic whim and vigour, the Delegate of Egypt defends his country's stance on energy monopolization

 The Delegate of Egypt concurs with another delegate's points on the issue

The Delegates of the UK and India formulate a plan to put their agenda into motion. This small alliance will soon develop into a key player of the house and will wield enormous influence with their combined spheres of influence.

MUN 2nd Practice Debate - Eurozone Crisis

ECOSOC's practice debate topic was dealing with the Debt Crisis in the Eurozone and coming up with solutions and policies that could solve the economic downturn. The topic was "The management of the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis considering the policy approach adopted by different European Monetary Union (EMU) Members."

Overall, the quality of debate was much better than the previous debate. the delegates had researched more for this topic and the ideas put forward were very innovative and creative. However there was a certain repetition of points, harping about the effectiveness of the austerity measures and a down-voting of relevant discussion points. An idea proposed by the delegate of China to impose a temporary technocracy on the Eurozone, was not even brought into discussion because many delegates who did not understand it considered it irrelevant - even though it would have made the debate much more interesting, and even if it is not a completely democratic or feasible idea, it could have led to more solutions regarding the Eurozone. Despite a few problems like this, when the resolutions came through i saw that the delegates had been very creative and had used their research into the crisis effectively. Time constraints, and some digressions meant that both resolutions could not be discussed and amended fully, but the first resolution was passed with a simple majority. 

 Me, Discussing some professional MUN stuff with Taekyung, the Head of Logistics

 A delegate contemplates the beauty of the UN mandate

 A lull in the heated debate of my committee, ECOSOC

 Imaad, the Vice President of the ICJ, chairing passionately, with all his magnanimous authority

 With the state of the world on their shoulders, delegates often are overwhelmed by their immense responsibility. This Delegate faces this fact, mid-conference

 The Delegate of Iran, says somethings about something

The delegate of Egypt, gives a moving and passionate speech, the delegate of South Korea in the back raises his placard, obviously having a bone to pick with Egypt. He should chill out.