Lankan shines at Harvard MUN
View(s):For many years participating in an International Model United Nations (MUN) Conference was an expensive affair. However, in 2020 all that Royalist Kaif Sally needed was a stable internet connection and the world of competitive MUN was a hop, jump and click away.
Kaif Sally
Model United Nations is a debate activity in which students typically roleplay delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. It involves substantial research, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, as well as critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities. The Harvard Model United Nations is an annual travelling Model United Nations conference that is run by Harvard University, one of the most prestigious United Nations simulations to date. Due to the prevailing pandemic situation and its resulting travel restrictions, the 2020 edition was held virtually over five days of competition from June 11 – 15.
Kaif was the delegate of Sri Lanka in the 70 member simulation of the Social Cultural and Humanitarian Committee (SOCHUM) and was awarded the most ‘Outstanding Delegate’ at the competition. This is the second-highest award presented. The ‘Best Delegate’ which went to the delegate of France being the only higher commendation.
His competition consisted of over 70 highly competitive MUNers from around the world, between the ages of 16 and 19. Around 60 nationalities were represented at the SOCHUM. “My foundation was my research,” says Kaif who says he spent over three weeks of research and solution finding on the topic of the conference which was ‘Creating global healthcare equity’. “Studying and understanding the mandate of my committee, the UN charter and International law related to the topic as well as doing extensive research on the topic in relation to Sri Lanka and other key countries made sure I was always able to speak on any aspect of the debate and confidently defend my motherland’s current position and past actions in a global arena.”
Kaif’s key take away from the experience is that by adopting Sri Lanka’s real-life foreign policy of ‘getting along with all nations’ and genuinely embodying values like humility and compassion he was able to bring international glory home. He is confident that these same factors will give any Sri Lankan the edge to replicate his results in other future international MUNs as well.