Critical thinking is an important skill that everyone needs, including in the academic world. In addition to critical thinking, the ability to persuade people is also important. One of the ways to practice these two skills is by participating in a Model United Nations (MUN) conference. Aldyth Nelwan, a student from the Department of International Relations batch of 2019, has successfully practiced these two skills in MUN conferences.
Previously, Aldyth was an International Relations student in Universitas Airlangga. His friends suggested him to participate in MUN conferences. Afterwards, he registered himself to participate in an MUN conference due to his curiosity. His friends guided him when he was still new to MUN.
UPH MUN is his first experience. Aldyth participated as a co-delegate with someone that has introduced him to the world of MUN. Furthermore, Aldyth participated in this conference because UPH MUN is known to be relatively beginner friendly. Now, he represents UGM in MUN conferences.
In UPH MUN, he admitted that there was a lack of preparation. This is because, Aldyth’s co-delegate was in Surabaya, and Aldyth was in Yogyakarta. They discussed the cases for the MUN conference through the telephone. Moreover, there were difficulties in finding the appropriate schedule that can accommodate them both.
Aldyth believed that his co-delegate has greatly helped him. Furthermore, this conference was his first, and his co-delegate was more experienced. His co-delegate helped him to understand the procedure of the MUN conference. Even though they have discussed the study guide through the telephone, they also did their preparations when the conference was already ongoing.
Aldyth’s hard work was finally paid off. He managed to win an honourable mention in the United Nations Security Council. This award is equivalent to winning the 3rd place in other competitions. Aldyth, who recently was admitted to the UGM MUN Community, believed that participating in MUN conferences brings numerous benefits. Especially if a participant enjoys discussing international affairs.
Aldyth wished to continue to participate in future MUN conferences. Even though he has learned a lot, Aldyth believed that he could improve a thing or two, such as his mental stamina, in order to be more durable in MUN conferences.