THIMUN Singapore = Thunderstorms + grumpy mornings + resolutions + cool people.” Sophomore Kevin Zhu’s formula concisely depicts the Pudong MUN team’s journey at The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) conference in Singapore. Despite unfriendly weather and a somewhat self-induced sleep-depravity, over the last four days we productively and diligently took part in debating and finding solutions for the world’s most pressing issues.

SAS, Pudong Campus, represented the delegations of Morocco, the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (UNHCHR) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the conference.

In addition, junior Benedict Wong proudly made club history by serving as the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Senior Ben Wang and junior Bex Li represented the Advocates of Ecuador in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). And senior Sunwoo Park joined the Youth Assembly while senior Angela Yu took a pivotal role in the MUNITY Press.

The conference was an unqualified success for both the East and the West campuses of Shanghai American School. Wong organized and chaired an outstandingly selective and dedicated ECOSOC forum. In the forum, as the delegate of Morocco, junior Dion Loke main-submitted and passed his resolution. Freshman Crystal Lee completed the same feat in GA1 on her debut conference. Wong and Li won their case against Colombia, represented by host school Hwa Chong Institution, with a unanimous in favour vote from the judges in the ICJ. Senior Charles Lok and junior Teddy Jung, as the ambassador and delegate of Morocco respectively, delivered speeches to nearly 1,000 people at the opening speeches and plenary meetings.
Most of our other delegates were also able to become co-submitters to resolutions in their respective forums, and took active part in debate. As Angela appropriately pointed out, MUN “is definitely not for people to just bring talent and skill to the table; MUNITY and MUN in general are all about the collaborative effort.”

Our newer members, many of whom were on their first major conference, overcame their initial fears and each found a distinct but enjoyable experience. As sophomore Richard Kong concluded: “The first step is always the hardest. After the first speech you no longer have any fear.” Freshman Emily Yu admitted: “I’ve become a different person … how cliché.”
For seniors, however, the final Singapore trip provided substantial content for future nostalgia. Sunwoo told us: “I am sad that it has ended so quickly, but it was fun and amazing as usual.”

Evidently, beyond debating about sustainable development, disarmament or climate change, the MUN team also enjoyed exploring the rich offerings of sun-drenched Singapore. GA1 delegate of Morocco Grace Ko exclaimed at the end of the week: “This delegate stands educated … and broke.” Crystal probably does the best to summarize our fantastic and somewhat outlandish experience: “Met tons of cool people, freaked out, was happy, going home, will go again next year totally.”

And thus, as good things come to an end, and THIMUN Singapore was no exception. At the end of the day, we are gratified with what we were able to contribute to the issues we discussed, and, as Dion accurately proclaims, “this delegate needs to sleep after spending four days doing his little part to improve the world.”
Thank you, THIMUN Singapore.
Goodbye, and good night.
By Ben Wang, Pudong campus delegation

It has long been the SAS, Puxi Campus MUN team’s tradition to serve with distinction at the THIMUN-Singapore conference every November, and this year was no different. Debating in various different forums, the 31 delegates on this year’s team delivered innovative solutions to pressing world issues and raised the standard of debate in their respective forums.

One member of the team that especially stood out this year was senior Paige Leishman. Serving as the Deputy Secretary General, Leishman was the second-in-command of this year’s conference — second out of 1,061 participants. If it weren’t for her leadership and energy, the conference would not have been nearly as successful as it was.

The other student officers in the team were sophomore Yolanda Yeh, deputy president of the Security Council, and senior Jae Jung Min, president of the International Court of Justice. Both officers led their forums with power and charisma.

Of course, the essence of debate lies within the delegates themselves, and the Puxi Campus delegates, along with our sister campus collegeaues, of course, are among the most accomplished debaters in the conference. Four delegates were chosen to debate in elite forums through a separate application process—sophomores Abigail Watt, Carson Lam and I were selected to debate in the Advisory Panel, and sophomore Kevin Wu was selected to debate in the International Court of Justice.

Nine delegates (freshmen Mona Yue and Tiffany Wong, sophomores Paddy Nopany, Arisa Toyasaki, DJ Jeong, and Yvonne Hsiao, juniors Hong Yi Tu Ye and Johanna Tan, and seniors Max Song) were main submitters of a resolution, and Song and Tan’s resolutions were passed almost unanimously. Seniors Joy Mao and Michael Lau represented Mexico in the Security Council, and submitted many passing clauses.

The plane ride home was depressing. The memories we made during the five-day conference—making new friends, exploring the streets, braving the Singapore sun—are memories that we will cherish for years to come.

By Andrew Wen, Puxi Campus delegation