THIMUN XLIX Day 8 - Fifth and Final Day of the Conference

Today, February 3rd, 2017, marks the final day of the 49th annual session of THIMUN. For the General Assembly (GA) and all other commissions, today was the final day of debate and voting on resolutions. While most committees spent the entire day debating, the Advisory Panel on the Question of the Near-East (APQNE), the autonomous committee at THIMUN, spent the first hour of the day lobbying. Because of the consensus-based nature of the committee (all representatives present in the committee must vote in favor for proposals to pass), a heavy emphasis was placed on cooperation and discussion with other panelists (lobbying) in order to achieve consensus.

Both chairs (student leaders who run the commissions) and delegates in many commissions were rushing and scrambling to finish debate and voting procedures on all proposed resolutions throughout the day. Because of the new philosophical approach of the four aspects implemented this year, many chairs were unprepared with the large number of resolutions (on average 16 per commission) that had to be debated and voted upon in the short span of 5 days. Even with the sheer amount to be done, it is possible to say that most committees, especially the ones Daniel, Stephanie, Jane, and Bassem were in, had debated all the resolutions and clauses (for APQNE) that were planned.

The day ended with final speeches and voting procedures in all committees before delegates and chairs were released to the closing ceremony. This event was spectacular, to say the least, as it began with short but sentimental speeches from Presidents of committees, Deputy Secretary Generals, and finally the Secretary General herself. A short video was played before these speeches, showing the best and most memorable thing about THIMUN. With a bang on the gavel, the THIMUN XLIV conference came to an end. Before sadness could plague the room due to saying goodbye to our much cherished friends we made during this conference, we were profusely entertained by a jazz band with a strong percussion. Flag bearers who were the Head of Delegation carried flags down to the stage from the balcony's steps and made the closing ceremony a true spectacle.

As everyone eventually swarmed out of the theatre, not without saying their solemn goodbyes, we headed back to our hotel and planned for dinner. Going back to an area called Centrum, we ate delicious Vietnamese food and truly reflected on our amazing time through the entirety of this week. The privilege of being able to make friends from all over the world, arguing pressing topics that give us hope for the future, and heading home with an even stronger resolve to change the world for the better, is what I think MUN is all about.

- Samuel Ng & Jane Chea

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