Sunway Model United Nations 2023 Opening Ceremony (24/11/2023)

 It's been a week since UNICEF Malaysia's Young Leaders Programme Showcase 2023, now this is my first appearance since the showcase at the 8th Sunway Model United Nations (SUNMUN)!  During my campus visit last month, Xin Qi - the Deputy Secretary General booked my date for the opening ceremony as they needed a home grown SUNMUN alum - representing the campus to various institutions at Model United Nations conferences. 

After lunch, I head to the college side and straight up to the second floor at Auditorium 7 - where the opening ceremony is going to be. I take my seat in the first row and have a chat with Xin Qi and Sean Yee - the Secretary General of this year's SUNMUN. What's more, right behind me and Xin Qi are the delegates of the UNICEF council. "When UNICEF Young Leaders meet the delegates of the UNICEF council," I tell Xin Qi. We take a picture with them.

A reunion with veteran MUN-ers alike - Ke Wen, Danny, Michelle and Alexis etc. Zara, as the emcee of the event, welcomes all delegates and distinguished guests to the 8th annual SUNMUN - and it is the first physical conference since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Ke Wen and I chat, and he asks me "Katelyn, when are you heading to New York, USA, to visit the real United Nations?" I say "I'm not sure but we never might know what will happen in the future. I'm hoping to achieve before I'm 30 but if it doesn't, there's always another way," 

After the opening remarks from the teacher advisor, it's my turn to be up on stage. I share about my experience heading to the MUN scene - from that one video of Roy Wang - a singer and member of the Chinese boyband TFBoys to my passion in mental health - inspired by the current Prince and Princess of Wales (Prince William and Princess Kate) - led me to the person I am today. My speech is out of the script a little, "Who knows I might represent Malaysia to New York at the real UN one day," I say. As always I end my speech with a quote from Raya and the Last Dragon: 

You just have to take the first step even before you are ready

 It's Shahil's turn to make his speech, he shared about how MUN shaped his personality starting with his first council in a crisis council as a Russian delegate. The crisis council is always a firm favourite in the MUN scene and the first to fill the spaces up as compared to other regular councils. 

After a photo session and some housekeeping rules, delegates made their ways to their respective councils. Of course, I head to the UNICEF council to see all the actions. Most of the delegates are new to the MUN scene, the chairs give everyone a MUN 101 before serious (and fun) council session begins. 

Michelle is playing as the journalist of The Star (which I also used to play back in FairMUN 2019). We have fun on the iPad writing to each other. I also share my position paper when I won at Global Goals MUN 2021 - I delegated under the UNICEF council and sure enough I was delegating as Malaysia and representing Malaysia at the same time - also I was the only Malaysian at Global Goals MUN.

By evening time, the first day of SUNMUN has ended. We go around the room by introducing ourselves. The new MUNers ask me what are the tips for them in council, "Observe and attack at the right time, always be firm with the policy of the country you are delegating." 

It's good to be back on campus again! Thank you Sean, Xin Qi and the SUNMUN team!

For more information: 

Facebook: Sunway Model United Nations 

Instagram: @sunwaymun / @sunwaymunclub

SUNMUN 2020 (27/11/2020-29/11/2020)

SUNMUN 2020 is back! Online that is, it was supposed to be held in July. Due to the current pandemic that the world is facing right now, the conference is shifted online as with previous MUN conferences I had attended. I was supposed to be placed in the Dewan Rakyat - which is one of my favourite councils but due to low participation of delegates, the council is called off. I look for other councils in the list, I decide to try out the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for short. Please, do not be confused with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). 

We have an ice-breaking session and later Elisa, our co-chair explains the procedure of MUN in general for the newcomers to be familiar with, we don't want to have any culture shocks. I remembered during my very first MUN in 2018 at Malaysia National Model United Nations (MUN), I have to find my way during the three-day conferences. No guidance at all, but slowly was working the way during my second conference which was SUNMUN 2018. 

The debate begins on the second day with opening speeches and discussing on the topic in hand. I have a chat with Elisa, the co-chair of the council during the break to catch up we have been up to these days. The delegate of Canada decides to team up with delegates of Malaysia, New Zealand, Ireland for a bloc on drafting a working paper that would be presented later for a draft resolution. As I'm in a meeting for an upcoming SunFM podcast, the delegate of Canada and Ireland message me, and I didn't know what is going on. It's a bit of drama but it is all in good terms. If this was in a physical MUN, the drama would be even intense. 

 On the third and final day of the conference, I didn't join the first half of the conference as I'm on my weekly Sunday class. By the time I come back, the resolution is passed and we end a session early. While waiting for the online closing ceremony, the delegates mingle around and drop our respective social media handles in the chatbox for us to keep in touch. Although, no award for me on home grounds, this a way to close the final online MUN conference in 2020. Hopefully, next year in 2021, a physical MUN conference.  

Sunway Model UN 2019 (12/7/19-14/7/19)

It's examination season for Sunway University students, but for Katelyn, she's juggling both Why? It's the yearly SUNMUN conference 2019! At first, I'm hesitated that whether I should forgo or stay at home studying for my finals? It's really a tough decision for me. I can't even choose! At a certain point, I decide to go for both! It's my final year in university, I have to support the SUNMUN team one way or another.

Before we head into real business, I forgot to tell you about my council. I'm in the Dewan Rakyat (DR), playing YB Tony Pua, MP of Damansara. Yes, the Malaysian Parliament! Sounds exciting right? Okay, let's get back where we left off. Like I mentioned above, I'm having mid exam indulgence, while waiting for my fellow MPs to arrive. I settle at the foyer to flip through the notes of the final paper, which I'm having on Monday.

We head up to the corridor of the JC auditoriums to sign ourselves up. After collecting the tags and door gift, we head back down again to meet up with other delegates to discuss on the topics that will be debating later on. AS we head back up for the opening ceremony, the corridor is filled with delegates and we are given the green light to settle ourselves in.

The ceremony starts with opening remarks from Sunway College Pre-U director, Ms. Cheng Mien Wee. I'm introduced to the delegates in the room as I'm the only university student who is representing the SUNMUN team. After a short speech from our Secretary Generals, Nicholas Sim and Leo Larkin, with the bang of the guvnor, it's time for SUNMUN 2019!

Under the escorts of the admins, we head to level 5, that's where most of the councils are being held. As I'm representing the PH government, my side is on the right side while the opposition is on the left, just like in real Parliament setting.

As we are debating, we are interrupted by the MP of Bagan Datuk, and I have to play the whipper at one point to make sure that peace is maintained in Parliament. When it is my turn to present, "Before I'm interrupted by the MP of Bagan Datuk..." I emphasise that we as the MPs of the country are here as one to raise the concerns of the people of Malaysia.

At 7.00pm, that's the debate of day one of council. I make my way to the foyer, I bump into my junior, Victoria! Well, a mini high school reunion on the first day of SUNMUN! On the second day of council, we resume with debate, but this time it gets spicier! The "worst part" of council is that we have "no confident" vote. Eventually, the PM "sacked" the Ministry of Defence and Mimister of Law. We have "a change of government" in SUNMUN, and now we become the opposition.

In mid council, the House of Commons MPs come in as they are having their "general election" to persuade delegate in each council to vote which party that they are confident in. I can't remember which HOC MP mentions about our Malaysian palm oil. Anyway, it's fun seeing them pulling votes from council to council. And one thought: Why DR didn't do that?

When you're at MUN conferences, it's tradition to attend socials! We have an opening act from our talented secretariat team, and a two songs from Guan Yu and me- which are Disney classics!

The third and final day with PH as the "opposition" and BN as the "new government" with the MP of Rembau as the PM. In mid council, Ethan and Belle who play the roles of PM and DPM respectively, suddenly switch to Anwar Ibrahim and Rafizi Ramli! Wow! That's a quick change of roles! With Ryan joining us as the MP of Sungai Petani, it gets so much better!

In the end we failed the "model Bill". This is how Malaysian politics works. Although I'm always try to keep my standpoints neutral at all times, we didn't even realise that we a part of politics all the time. Well, now I know now! Council ends and we have each other signatures and social media accounts to keep in touch.

Before the closing ceremony, we have Subway for lunch. That kind of reminded me at last year's SUNMUN, I guess history repeats itself. There is a slight delay of the closing ceremony, while waiting, we just hang around and talk about what happen today in our respective councils.

The closing ceremony starts with a slide show of the events that happened throughout these three days. When it comes to DR, the whole MP cheer on. After that it is the award ceremony! For DR, we have MPs of Kemanis, Gombak and Rembau for having the best delegate awards! Upcoming MUNs are introduced and with a one last bang, SUNMUN 2019 is officially over!

Although I didn't win an award, SUNMUN is placed second as group delegation after IIUM. That's an achievement, at least we win something at "home grounds".  The closing ceremony after-party with delegates mingling around taking pictures and exchanging each others' social media account, as well as having individual feedback from their respective chairs. As for me, I need to brush up my research skills!

I wanna give a huge shoutout to all the MPs in the Dewan Rakyat council, you guys did amazing! And a shoutout to Tuan Speaker, Ryan, and Deputy Tuan Speaker, Chia Yong, for leading the council and having faith in every MP. To my "boss", Thesya, thank you for being the best "boss" ever! To Ethan and Belle, thank you for guiding fellow PH MPs as Tun M and Dr. Wan Azizah respectively.

I can say that despite having my last paper on Monday, SUNMUN is definitely the best way to get away from the mid-exam indulgence. I wanna congratulate to Nicholas and the SUNMUN team on the success of the event! This maybe my last SUNMUN, but I'll continue to support the team!

Sunway Model United Nations 2018: The Future Is... (10/8/18-12/8/18)

After I attended my first MUN (Model United Nations) back in April, I found it quite interesting and was looking forward to the next MUN. Four months later, I decided to make a come back at Sunway Model United Nations (SUNMUN) 2018!

Since I'm still on semester break, might as well join SUNMUN to fill up the boring holiday into a fun one. My council is the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and I'm representing Japan. As a tribute to my host country, I wear a white dress and accessories with a red hairband to represent the national flag of Japan. When I arrive at the SUNMUN scene, delegates from other high schools and universities pack the corridors of the JC auditoriums. I'm happy to reunite with some of my friends who I met at my first MUN- Malaysia National Model United Nation (MNMUN). I also make some new ones as well.

The doors of JC1 are opened, delegates are given the green light to go in for the opening ceremony. I'm approached by Gordon, the chair of United Nations of General Assembly, who assumes that I'm a delegate of France. I tell him that I'm in the UNHRC and representing Japan. The opening ceremony begins with an introductory video, follow by speeches made from Dr. Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive of Sunway Education Group and YB Michelle Ng, the state assembly person of Subang Jaya. With a bang, SUNMUN has now begun!

Admins escort delegates to their respective councils. My council is at LT3, sometimes I have lectures during normal university days. Anyway, we have a role call and the first thing we do is lobbying. What is lobbying? Lobbying is delegates go around the council to work together with other countries to discuss the topics they have in common. The countries I work with are India, Pakistan, Columbia, Myanmar and United States of America. We discussed on the working conditions of force labour in businesses.

After what we had discussed on the first day, the lobbying continues until 10.30am for the debate. I lobbied with the delegates of Brazil and Sierra Leone. We discussed on the legalisation on the sex industry. Thanks to delegate of Saudi Arabia, the council is getting to spice up a little. In mid debate, there is some security control on the campus, but thanks to the SUNMUN secretariat team everything is under control.

We are very tired after debating on the topic for hours, I can feel tummy rumbling. How to make that tummy frown upside down? SUNMUN Social Night of course! With all the good food and performances, my energy is recharged! During the after-party, I decide to take a stage to showcase my singing skills? Did I mention that Walter has a great singing voice?

The third and final day of SUNMUN, UNHRC is debating on the topic of working conditions in businesses. As I'm the main submitter, I have a rough start. I answer questions from delegates of Iran, Nigeria and Kenya. During the second half of the council, I'm informed that I'm shifted to the World Healthcare Organisation (WHO). WHO was my initial council as I have a passion on mental health. I'm placed as the delegate of Switzerland. The delegate of Germany discusses on how to normalise mental health by giving the appropriate education and guidance to change the concept towards certain social groups.

The debate comes to a close and we have a "mini award" within the WHO council. I'm crowned for best dressed female. The power of fashion! To fill up our energy for the closing ceremony, we head to Subway, where it's nearby the campus. I have a good chat with some delegates who I met earlier at the WHO council. Even though I attended for only 20 minutes.

The closing ceremony ends with a highlight video throughout these three days and awards are given out for outstanding delegates. Although the event is over, the friendship between delegates is not. Everyone takes selfies and group photos to commemorate the memorable day. I'm super happy when I receive my certificate of participation as the delegate of Japan in the UNHRC.

I'm proud to represent Sunway as a delegate. I'm looking forward to the next MUN. The future is really happening! Happy International Youth Day! What a day to end SUNMUN on a momentous occasion.

Day 2 of SUNMU