Interview with Myoung-Ah Kim, the CS for the General Assembly 1

Myoung-Ah Kim, an undergraduate at Yonsei University's Underwood International College, will be serving as the Committee Secretariat of the General Assembly 1 of YMUN 2012. More than anything, a key phrase of her years prior to college is, '"Model United Nations." Though she doesn't quite recall how she first stepped into the MUN arena, she confesses that she had initially acquainted MUN with the words, "professional suits," "fancy English," and even, "cool." But apparently, all these illusions shattered to pieces after her very first MUN conference, which, according to her, was "three days of hell." Nevertheless, she found herself registering in one conference after another, and still pursues this love for MUN at Yonsei University.       

1.) How does it feel to return to YMUN as a committee secretary?.

My first connection with YMUN was when I participated in the 2010 conference. As a first timer, everything from the rules of procedure to the most basic facts about international issues was wholely new and difficult. There are so many things that I derived through the experience, but one definite outcome is that I learned about YDMUN(Yonsei Delegation for Model United Nations), which later became a big reason I wanted to come to Yonsei University. It feels very strange and rather surprising that after just a couple of years, my wish has come true, and I’m now in a position of perhaps planting a similar motivation to starting delegates.

2.) How is YMUN different from other MUNs you’ve participated in?

Both as a delegate and a chair, I have participated in so many different kinds of MUN conferences: those held under universities as YMUN, ones organized by high school students, domestic, international, THIMUN rule, UNA-USA rule, size grand, size small. All have different atmospheres not to mention that even among the same conferences, the characteristics differ year after year. One thing that makes YMUN differentiates from all is that it is a part of the passion of YDMUN's mission. The organizing members strive to study the United Nations from the core and annually participate in National Model United Nations held in New York, UN head quarters. It is our intention to share this experience with the high school participants through Yonsei Model United Nations. In fact, each committee secretariat, whom are YDMUN members, take direct responsibility of a committee to ensure the quality of chair reports, position papers, and debate.

3.) What does MUN mean in your life?

Starting Model United Nations was a huge ‘growth’. Everything in school was about understanding the status quo submissively. We were not given much opportunities to raise questions. In this course of life, social issues and government policies were something too professional and difficult, which too were only to be understood as they are. However, in Model United Nations, I was expected to raise questions to the status quo, challenge definitions and make changes to the set policies. What I consider a growth is not the grand amount of knowledge about the international society that I came to learn, but the confidence that I gained, along with discovering my very own potential. It has brought me a step closer to my future.

4.) What sets your committee apart from every other committee?

General Assembly is the biggest committee in YMUN 2012. Therefore, the challenges are greater. Participants have to speak in front of greater number or audiences, not to mention the greater pool of clashing stances that they have to convince to bring on a consensus. But at the same time, opportunities also double. Double the number of different backgrounds, and therefore double the number of different experiences and double the chance of creating the most precious relationships of your life!

5.) What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?

Diversity. No other activity or occupation is as diverse as the United Nations in so many ways. First, the agendas dealt in the conference are diverse. In fact, they are about everything in the world, from wars, energy, women’s rights, and animals to even PC viruses. Because of this, the pool of participant’s interest or qualities does not discriminate or is advantageous to any particular profession or expertise. A person is interested in law; one capped with expertise in computers can all find a discussion table that is related with their areas of interest and contribute. Moreover, in the friction between the indiscriminate nature and the diversity of interests and power, participants hone the ability to deal with differences.

6.) What do you think are the most important qualities a delegate must possess?

Two qualities: Good listening skills and confidence. First, delegates are in a negotiation table of diverse and different interests. You will only be able to break the deadlock of problems if you listen to the different positions and understand how different interests are intertwined. More importantly, your proposals will only be heard, only if you listen and embrace other’s proposals. No one will care to listen to you when you block your ears and only mouth about your concerns. Second, everything about the delegate’s role is pushed through confidence. The courage to go and speak in front of the podium, the courage to approach other delegates for lobbying is only followed by confidence. Such confidence does not necessary come from being a good speaker rhetorically, but comes after diligent research and preparation that gives sustainable confidence to the delegate about the flow of debate in hand.

7.) Do you have any last words of advice for the participants?

I do not know the different courses that bring different participants to be here. And as much as the purposes are diverse, the results that you expect to reap and the experiences that you will take home will also be different. But regardless, have fun. Make friends, appreciate so many things that you learn about the world and take YMUN 2012 as an opportunity to find a new facet of yourself.

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