Intense, sophisticated and intelligent were the adjectives used to describe the annual event---the Hong Kong Model United Nations. As the venue became West Island School instead of the City Hall, the atmosphere was less frightening as in past years but the ferocious debates went on just as hot as delegates of Myanmar got their eyes wide open by the wit and wisdom of fellow delegates from other schools in Hong Kong.

 

Day 1---Issue 1---Human rights in times of crisis

Karen Tang and Joanne Ng were obviously drowned in the research done on Aung Saan Suu Kyi, the opposition leader who was imprisoned by the government of Myanmar, but is highly respected in the international community. At the start of the debate, they made a one-minute speech declaring her release (which is spontaneous to the recent news released by the Myanmar government) and drew great attention. Yet they also tasted the bitterness of bullying in the General Assembly. Being a small nation, the delegation of Myanmar was put near to the bottom of the speakers list and what’s worse, most nations voted for the motion to close the debate before Karen and Joanne were even allowed to make their speech. Though it might be a little disappointing, it was a nice try done by the Form 4 girls and they will be doing better in two years’ time.

 

Day 1---Issue 2---Disease Control

During this debate, the delegation of Myanmar became known to the whole assembly to be the “Myanmar chickens” as we promoted our country again and again by declaring that our chickens are totally free of the Avian flu and that our country is totally free of SARS. Mandy Ho and Mandy Lo gave their speech and survived the Question and Answer session while giving very intelligent answers and displaying their first-class English speaking skills and their power of immediate response.

 

Day 1---Issue 3---Nuclear Proliferation

The issue started with a series of challenging points of clarification for the delegation of Zimbabwe, and the fact that their delegate answered the questions so well impressed us all, and further stimulated Carmen Tam and Lynette Yau to be as active as they could during the debate. Since there was only about half an hour left in Day 1, most of the time was spent as the Question and Answer session for North Korea, and Myanmar managed to bombard them with “nasty” questions as Mr Evershed had requested us to do so.

 

Day 2---Issue 3---Nuclear Proliferation (continued)

Thankfully, the resolution written by the delegation of Zimbabwe which we co-sponsored managed to get chosen to go forward to be debated in this issue. Thus, we were allowed 3 minutes for our speech, and what a sight when Pakistan and Israel stood up in anger as we implied that they are not peaceful countries! Luckily we did not get any warnings from the chairperson, otherwise we might be deprived of certain rights if the warnings accumulate.

 

Day 2---Issue 4---Reconstruction in Iraq

With wondrous luck for Carmen and Lynette, the resolution they co-submitted was chosen again. Questions for us in this issue were nastier than those in issue 3, and thankfully we were able to encounter all those. Through caucusing and negotiation, we have acquired friendship with the delegates of Canada from Maryknoll Convent School.

 

Day 2---Issue 5---“One country, Two systems” in China

The emergency issue, again worked on by the two Mandys, was quite a hot topic as it touched on crises in the Taiwan strait and the referendum called on by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan also. Though Myanmar did not have much say on this matter, it was an amazing sight to see the delegates of Zimbabwe from Hong Kong University debating against the “arrogant” western nations with rage and impressing patriotism for China. All of us in the audience were practically cheering loud for patriotic speeches given during the conference. However, since time was limited, the debate went on for about 2 hours before it ended with Myanmar snatching attention by making a right of statement.

 

Day 2---Banquet @ Hong Kong Cricket Club

The banquet began with a hilarious session of speeches made by each delegation who wished to speak. Some sang songs of their own country, some mocked their own president, some tried insulting other countries further through jokes, and Myanmar insisted on providing SARS-affected countries with AIDS (as to what kind, you can imagine yourself). Then we had a buffet with some tasteless lemon squash, and after that enjoyed a video clip produced by the TV crew from Chinese International School.

 

Special thanks must be given to the organiser of this function, and most importantly, we must thank our teacher advisors, Mr Evershed, Ms E.Wong and Mrs Chiu, for all their guidance and help in our researching work, otherwise we wouldn’t even know what we’re supposed to do in a caucus.

 

It was a great experience for the six of us to be debating amongst the best speakers in the Hong Kong schools community. Our awareness for international events have also been raised. We found that the wit and political sense of most international students are very strong indeed, and local students like us should take the initiative to read more and learn more about international issues, and the art of English speaking.

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