Interview with the Secretary General

What improvements do you visualize will occur this year, making it potentially better than the last one?

This year is not a type of improvement we’re looking for, since we have a small number of delegates. We had 250 participants last year, and each committee had almost 40 delegates, so we couldn’t focus on each and every one of them. Due to this, the conference, for those who debated, wasn’t as good and the others just stood by, which was very unfortunate for them, but that’s also how it works for large MUNs.This time at least, we’re trying to engage each and every one of those who are coming in, so everyone gets their money’s worth. But at the same time, most of them are newbies, starting for the first time so I think it’s a good way for them to learn and to get on the right path.

1. Noting the high number of first time delegates, do you remember how your first MUN experience was?

My first MUN experience was in the seventh grade, I was the most talkative kid in the committee, and my dais did not want me to talk again, probably because I did not make sense. But then again, even if I didn’t make sense, (at least) I was raising my placard for everything-and they were (still) very annoyed.

1. The common misconception of attending MUNs just for awards or to enhance your CV is widespread, what would you like to say to all delegates, regardless of their motive for attending Rashtriya MUN?

For any type of student, what exactly do you want in your CV, and why do you even want (to enhance) your CV in the first place? It’s because you want to apply to colleges. Attending a ton of MUNs really doesn’t help your college application or strengthen it in the first place. The thing is, what you learn from it and what you can extract from what you learn is the thing that you can reflect on your college app essays (or wherever you put it). And the thing is, without actually participating well, without actually engaging in the debate and just going for the certificates or for the heck of it; it just doesn’t make sense for anyone.

1. How, in your perspective, is Rashtriya MUN different from other MUNs throughout the country?

It’s good that there are so many MUNs happening around the country, it gives a better platform for a lot of delegates and dais members, and overall, the whole country just becomes more social, at least Kathmandu- since everyone meets during MUNs, and it’s actually a good environment that has been created. Yes, some of them have been a little shady and some of them have been a little unprepared, but at the same time, (even) if they are learning, it’s not a bad thing. So a lot of MUNs happening is not a bad thing at all, but with Rashtriya MUN, what we try and do is we try and shape it a little differently in the sense that we always try and focus on South Asian issues. Thus, topics like Nuclear Non-Proliferation are not the ones that are going to be debated, but issues that are directly or indirectly affecting Nepal are the ones we are trying to address so that students are (at least) well informed about their country.

1. Your MUN experience has varied from becoming a delegate to a dais member, and most importantly the Secretary General (and organizing it). How has the perspective and experience of this conference changed for you over the years?

I’m pretty sure I have participated in over 10 MUNs, as a chair, vice-chair, as a delegate and a Secretary General. So the thing with this is, I think every year in-year out, I’ve been learning different things-especially about judging a committee, as a chair, you realize that sometimes there’s a level of debate that you need to associate with different types of delegates so that they learn to a certain level. You cannot just be a hard-on chair and go on and expect your delegates to understand everything. If you’re going to be like that, then your committee is going to fail. Whether you’re like that or a lazy chair and let everything go on, it just doesn’t work. So you need to understand the level of your delegates, your participants and then act likewise- I think that’s what I’ve learnt most importantly.

1. What do you expect from delegates attending this year’s conference?

This year, the point to be noted is that most of them are all new students, so what I except from them is to learn as much as they can.

1. Any fears?

Fear from the school, actually (laughs). We’re scared that they’re going to scold us for littering the school. Besides that, I don’t think they’ll have any complaints.

1. Does this MUN match your expectations?

Yes, it does. It definitely does.