THIMUN XLIX Day 6: Third Day of the Conference - Spotlight on Committees, part I

Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC)
Jane Chea, Delegate for the International Monetary Fund
The Economic and Social Committee, usually referred to as "ECOSOC", discusses six topics in total. These include the livelihood of refugees, sustainable-food consumption, ensuring insurance and financial services for everyone, exclusion from the labor market due to race, religion, and/or culture; and economic resilience to extreme weather conditions. The topic that I contributed my ideas to in particular to create a resolution (a kind of proposal), was sustainable-food consumption. As the delegate of the International Monetary Fund, the organization prioritizes the stability of trade between nations. So looking through the topics as the IMF, they want a good future for refugees, little to no food waste and food loss, everyone having access to financial services and having equal job opportunities, and nations who face extreme weather to have economic stability. We've debated all these topics and are doing two resolutions for each one. Throughout these few days, the debate has been exciting and thrilling to be a part of, and with multiple Points of Information (questions to the speaker) I hoped I had enhanced the debate further. It's truly a sight to see so many people of different ethnicities bringing their ideas and represent the country's views to the committee. There were many compelling and unique speeches, but also some that were simply too funny, and the chair (the leader of the committee) had to calm down everyone's laughter. Personally, these past few days have been quite a thrilling ride as I witnessed similar things like the structure and style of an MUN debate, but in a whole new formal and prestigious perspective.

General Assembly 5th Committee
Bassem Sandeela, Delegate for the International Monetary Fund
The General Assembly's 5th Committee deals with administration and budgetary with certain topics, and generally with UN-peacekeeping missions. The four topics that were debated within this committee at THIMUN XLIX were the financing of the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA), the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Each topic was supposed to have 4 different resolutions on each topic. On Wednesday, two specific resolutions were debated before lunch. Those two resolutions were the financing of MINUSTAH and UNIFIL. Each resolution was given 80 minutes of debate time. While my resolution was on UNIFIL, my specific resolution was not debated yet. However, both debates were very fruitful with the first resolution failing, and with the second resolution passing. During this time period, I asked roughly 5 constructive points of information. Seeing other people's views on what was within the 5th committee's limits helped me quite a lot. I saw perspectives I never saw before and found things within other resolutions which could be amended and added into mine.

*Director's Note - Bassem is the main submitter on a resolution for this committee, which is a pretty big deal. This means that during the lobbying session, other delegates liked his work and agreed to collaborate on a resolution together where his ideas formed the base of their work. This resolution will be debated tomorrow. The main submitter reads out the operative clauses of the resolution. Usually, they also give a short speech on the resolution, highlighting the key points and explaining why it is a good resolution. Nice work, Bassem!

Advisory Panel on the Question of the Near East (APQ-NE)
Samuel Ng, President

Serving as the President of the APQ-NE, my duties are varied and vast. My job is to serve as the "expert chair" on two committee sub-questions, meaning it is my job to answer any possible questions the committee's panelists might have on those sub-questions, as well as oversee debate. I recognize panelists to speak at my discretion and the order they speak in. Seeing as today was a half day, our committee was in session for only 4 hours. Today, the two sub-questions that were debated were: "The Question of the Syrian refugees in the Near-East Region" and "The Promotion of Religious Diversity and Intercultural Education in the Near-East Region". Debate time was split evenly between the two sub-questions, and I had a busy time sorting out amendments and their priority. Amendments are changes to operative clauses (solutions to the sub-questions) submitted by panelists. As the expert chair of the sub-question on the Syrian refugees, it is my job to prioritize which amendments are debated (all amendments must be voted on after debate). Because the APQ-NE is an autonomous committee of THIMUN, my deputy presidents and I have the option of making procedural changes for the committee to run as we see fit. Overall, today was a busy and productive day at the APQ-NE.

Advisory Panel on the Question of the Near East (APQ-NE)
Daniel Chavez, Expert for the European Union

I participate in the Advisory Panel on the Question of the Near East (APQ-NE). The questions (or topics) that we have been debating have been of the Syrian refugee crisis, the Israeli West Bank Wall, the Occupied Territories, and promoting religious diversity in the Near East. The Near East region encompasses Syria, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. In this committee, I represent the European Union. which holds an integral role in funding the many proposals of solutions in all four topics, as well as receiving hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, which has amassed to 1 million so far. The severity of these issues, the many contrasting views and policies of different nations, and a desperation to reach consensus in the committee have made this Advisory Panel experience one I will never forget. In the Advisory Panel, the unions, organizations, and United Nations mentioned all hold an essential role in the committee. Panelists are always very  knowledgeable about their organization or country, and months of preparation (in the form of research and writing policy statements) is essential to participate in the high-intensity debate of the Advisory Panel which is why panelists are usually called experts of their delegation. The ultimate goal of the debating in the Advisory Panel is to reach consensus in a joint communique that is drafted by all participating panelists. In the past few days, I have made speeches, asked points of information (questions to other panelists in the committee), and even proposed a clause (a solution to a topic or issue of the committee) of my own. Participating on the Advisory Panel is intense and slightly stressful, but there are blocks of time allocated to recess and lunch, I have been able to personally meet many panelists in my committee. I have met Alba from Morocco, who goes to a French school, Kendall from Indianapolis, who loves computer science, and a bunch of hilarious Turkish panelists whom I sit next to in the committee room. As the end of the week approaches, my committee has been refining all of our clauses, talking amongst ourselves in lobbying sessions (collaboration sessions amongst delegates to draft clauses and amendments), and working towards our joint communique. This committee has kept me on my toes the past week, but this valuable, intense debating experience is one I will always remember.