Agenda [N.]

Definition:
A list of items to be discussed at a meeting.

There are many topics and subtopics to be discussed during a MUN conference. It is important to organize items into a list at the beginning. That is, we set the agenda for discussion on the issue. An agenda is not limited to usage of MUN. It is a must for meetings of any scope and background. A clear agenda helps people grasp the gist of what is about to be discussed and improves efficiency. Notice how we drew the agenda at the first slide in the powerpoint below:

WorldMUN2010, Taipei Intro (Mandarin Version)

Examples:
What's on the agenda?

I would like to put topic A first on the agenda.

An agenda should be set for all meetings and presentations.

I'm afraid there is a hidden agenda behind this new proposal.

Bloc [N.]

Definition:

A group of countries that work closely together because they have similar political interests.

Delegates often form blocs in a MUN conference. After everyone's general statement is heard, those with a similar interest will seek to work together. Delegates often write notes to countries of a similar interest or goal and support one another in their speeches. During recess it is not suprising to see a split of large blocs discussing in circles about their strategies. Forming blocs helps gain support from small or neutral countries. Allies are important on votes.

Examples:

Opposing blocs often struggle to convince one another of their points.

Iceland's application to join the EU bloc has raised some concern among EU aspirants in southern Europe that it could leapfrog them to become the next EU member, slowing reforms and fuelling discontent with their accession processes.

The terms Eastern Bloc, Communist Bloc or Soviet Bloc were used to refer to the former Communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, including the countries of the Warsaw Pact, along with Yugoslavia and Albania, which were not aligned with the Soviet Union after 1948 and 1960 respectively. [quote]

Issue

Definition:
[N.] An important topic that people are discussing or arguing about.
[V.] To make something known formally (officially)

What do MUN delegates gather for? All of these country representatives assemble to discuss on international issues: MUNers do research, discuss and debate on pressing international issues and resolve to work out a Resolution. Materials and textbooks arrive at us at school after a long period of research, editing and publishing. We live in a rapidly changing world; we must engage ourselves into international affairs to keep up with its pace. This is what MUN seeks to do: to prepare students with a sense of global citizenship.

Derivatives:
major issue
side issue

Examples:
In a MUN conference, delegates raise a controversial issue for debate and strive to resolve the problem.

Don't confuse the issue.

"The media reports of Swine Flu seem to increase even as the issue of health care reforms seems to stay solidly on the front burner." [quote]

"The World Health Organization (WHO) recently [issued] surveillance and status updates for regions where the pandemic H1N1 is just gaining a foothold, including the Mideast, Africa, and parts of Asia and the Pacific, which showed Southeast Asia as the hardest hit of those areas." [quote]

(photo link: [go])

Delegate

Definition:
[N.] A person who is chosen or elected to represent the views of a group of people and vote and make decisions for them.

[V.] To give part of your work, power or authority to somebody in a lower position than you.




Students are randomly assigned a country to represent before a MUN conference. They are recognized as country delegates. Delegates must do research, debate and vote in the conference with other fellow delegates as if they were diplomats of the country they represent.

Derivatives:
Delegation [N] A group of people who represent the views of an organization or country.

eg. Single Delegate
eg. Double Delegate => A delegation

Examples:
The MUN conference was attended by delegates from 50 countries.
I've been delegated to organize this blog.
The French delegation is in fierce debate with the delegate of USA.

Perspective [N.]


Definition:
A particular attitude towards something; a way of thinking of something;
The ability to think about problems and decisions in a reasonable way without exaggeration.

This word is one of the basic elements of MUN. Have you ever thought of why we chose to model "the UN?" Because the UN is a parliament of nations: hundreds of member states assemble to discuss on a pressing issue, each with its own interest and unique point of view. MUN seeks to cultivate the skill to penetrate through a web of conflicting interest and think independently. For students on the threshold to the complicated society, a sense of perspective is a must to survive.

Examples:
Krugman often views an issue from a historical perspective.
MUN activities are aimed to provide students with a global perspective.
Debating with others can often help to put your own problems into perspective.

MUN = Model United Nations [N.]

Definition:
A simulation of the United Nations Conferences. Model United Nations is commonly known as "Model UN" or simply "MUN." It gives students a chance to step into the shoes of diplomats and discuss on hotly debated global issues. Students not only share creative thoughts during the day, but also experience culture-oriented social events at night. MUN is highly popular around the world.

Derivatives:
MUNer [N.] One who participates in MUN activities.

Examples:
eg. This is my first MUN experience.
eg. MUN is popular at high school and university levels around the world.
eg. Follow our steps and have fun as a MUNer as we do!


Photo1: From a MUN Conference

Photo2: The United Nations Building

http://www.ntu.edu.tw/english/

Proud no doubt, yet we must be cautious and constantly aware.

Be cautious, because the harvest we reap today was seeded, soiled and tended by numerous hands; be constantly aware of the unknown future, for danger lurks ahead.

Due caution and awareness can become a helpful ingredient.

I believe it is one thing to be mature and sophisticated at dealing with people and things, it is another to never lose heart and passion and be brave.

Yolanda

Director of Public Relations, WorldMUN2010 Host Team

http://www.ntu.edu.tw/english/index.html

National Taiwan University Model United Nations (NTUMUN) won the bid to host the 2010 World Model United Nations Conference (a.k.a. WorldMUN) in Taipei in March 2010

May 2009, the National Taiwan University Model United Nations (NTUMUN) won the bid to host the 2010 World Model United Nations Conference (a.k.a. WorldMUN) in Taipei in March 2010. Taipei stood out from eight bidding cities with its animated Asian culture blend and its confidence to bring Asia to the center stage. With a culture aim and the aspire to elevate the visibility of Taiwan, the host team will be welcoming more than 2,000 distinguished students from over 50 countries and 200 universities.

The prestigious WorldMUN is one of the most anticipated student events around the world. Established by Harvard in 1992, the WorldMUN distinguishes itself as a highly popular simulation of the United Nations (UN) Conference. Each year, a different city wins the bid to host WorldMUN with Harvard University. Past host cities include Athens, Edinburgh, Istanbul, Mexico, Belo Horizonte, Sharm El-Sheikh, etc, covering more than four continents of the world. The cooperation between Harvard University and host cities is often viewed as a chance to facilitate regional integration and promote Model UN activities.

NTU students were the first of Asian to participate in WorldMUN. Since its first entry in 1994, the inspired NTU delegation not only returned and created the NTUMUN student organization but continues to participate in the yearly event around the globe. These passionate NTU students call themselves “MUNers” and have been endeavoring to bring WorldMUN to Taipei. After years of unsuccessful bids, WorldMUN finally falls into hands of the NTUMUN — a long waited dream come true.

“Though frustrated from countless failed bids, our will to bid has been sustained by hearty support from the NTUMUN alumna. We strive to engage more Taiwanese students into the international pool, and through Model UN, to promote the global citizen ideal. It is our wish to really put Taiwan on the map” added Jason Hou, president of the WorldMUN2010 Host Team.

This time, the NTU host team pledges to attract new faces into the field of model UN activities. The five-day model conference grants students the chance to represent as diplomats and draft up Resolutions on hot issues through negotiation and fierce debate. Simulated UN Rules of Procedure in order on the conference table creates a unique environment. Off table, culture flavored social events — the Global Village, the Lunar Year Night, the Cabaret, the Master Night, the Farewell Party — ignites new excitement. Taipei, with its culture blend between modern and traditions will offer new participants a taste of its renowned gourmet and beauty.

With this aim, the NTU Host Team came up with an impressive logo. Designed by NTU student Chia-Wei Yang, the logo for WorldMUN 2010 in Taipei is a butterfly. The inspiration was from the island of Taiwan herself. In the 1960s, Taiwan was known as the Butterfly Kingdom in the world in terms of the number of butterfly species and output per unit area. Over 400 species of butterflies call Taiwan their home now, including some endemic species. Chia-Wei Yan visualized the host team’s idea to bring the historical significance of butterflies to the picture. The right side of the butterfly is similar to the shape of Taiwan; the left is also Taiwan, but flipped horizontally. The bright colors on the wings represent the liveliness of Taipei and also the WorldMUN spirit. Even the antennae was designed as “2010. ” The breathtaking logo marks the first step to the NTU Host Team’s success.

Updates about the event and the recruiting plan will be released in September, 2009. If you are interested about the event or have any questions, feel free to visit the NTU Host Team’s blog at http://worldmun2010.blogspot.com/

To hold the WorldMUN2010 in Taiwan will be far more than a splendid firework event; it bears the expectations to plant and nurture a seed of global awareness and the United Nations spirit into Taiwan.

The growing seed will bloom and spread the idea of global citizenship into to youth of Taiwan. What Taiwan lacks now is a broader view and a more powerful will to take the lead. It is our deepest wish to bring forth a better Taiwan with the upcoming WorldMUN2010 in Taipei.

Jason

President, WorldMUN2010 Host Team

Designer: Chia-Wei Yang

The designed logo for WorldMUN 2010 in Taipei is a butterfly.
It is an important figure in our story: The Butterfly Adventure.

The inspiration was from the island of Taiwan herself. In the 1960s, Taiwan was known as the Butterfly Kingdom in the world in terms of the number of butterfly species and output per unit area. Over 400 species of butterflies call Taiwan their home now, including some endemic species. After intense team discussion, we realized this historical significance of the butterflies and decided to make it the logo.

Chia-Wei Yan then visualized our ideas. The right side of the butterfly is similar to the shape of Taiwan; the left is also Taiwan, but flipped horizontally. The bright colors on the wings represent the liveliness of Taipei and also the WorldMUN spirit.

By the way, did you notice that the antennae actually wrote “2010”?

	www.ChinaPost.com.tw

Taipei to host WorldMUN 2010 Sunday, July 12, 2009 By Paul Nieman, Special to The China Post

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Harvard World Model United Nations team's newly elected secretary general, Ami Nash, announced last week that the 19th session of Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) will be held in Taipei in March 2010.

WorldMUN is the most internationally diverse college-level Model U.N. conference and the largest outside of North America.

Every year around 1,650 college students from over 40 countries attend WorldMUN in a different location around the world. Moving to a new international city each year, WorldMUN is unique among the MUN conferences in its truly global character, remarked Nash.

Past locations include Puebla (Mexico), Geneva (Switzerland), Beijing (China), Belo Horizonte (Brazil), and Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt).

"On behalf of the Harvard team, I am pleased to announce to all members of the WorldMUN community, that after careful deliberation, we have decided that next year's impressive, we were particularly impressed by the creativity and dedication to the 'WorldMUN Spirit' displayed by the team from National Taiwan University (NTU)," Nash said in a written statement.

The international conference is to be held next year at Taipei International Convention Center (台北國際會議中心) from March 14 to March 19. It shouldn't be mistaken, however, for a mere introduction to United Nations methods. The days will be full of social events in which delegates can meet each other and get to know each other.

They will get to know Taiwan and experience Taiwanese culture. Meanwhile they will discuss international politics, diplomacy, negotiation and debate.

Delegates from all academic, cultural and social backgrounds will work together towards common goals. At WorldMUN 2010, ideas will come together and new ideals will be shaped. The resolutions that will be written during this conference will give them a glimpse of the world politics and world leaders of the future.

"Offering delegates the chance to debate pressing global issues; challenging students to take on new perspectives; and building strong new friendships that span across the globe; WorldMUN prepares its delegates to become the world leaders of tomorrow," Nash added.

The new secretary general noted Taipei is a perfect blend of modern and traditional cultures.

But mindful of the constraints the global economic crisis may place on many foreign delegations and committed to helping all interested students attend, he pointed out that WorldMUN will be expanding its financial aid program this year.

For further information on the upcoming Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) to be held from March 14 to March 19 at Taipei International Convention Center (台北國際會議中心) please log on to http://www.worldmun.org/welcome/

Copyright © 1999 – 2009 The China Post.

轉自: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2009/07/12/215957/Taipei-to.htm