The MUIMUN experience

I had an awesome experience attending the first Muenster University International Model United Nations (MUIMUN) that took place in Germany from April 1 –April 5 ’07 under the theme “Change Today – Shape Tomorrow”.

Muenster, City of Westphalian Peace, is surrounded by the inimitable atmosphere where more than 160 delegates from 40 countries came to participate in this conference, which simulated six different committees of UN. I was selected to represent India in the World Bank committee.

I still remember the day when I received an email from MUIMUN scholarship team stating that Dear Delegate from India, We are delighted to inform you that will be able to cover all your expenses viz. airfare, accommodation, food and conference fees. Receiving this mail it seemed like all my dreams had come true and indeed that seems to be the fact. I was ecstatic and did not even know which mountain in India to stand high on and scream my joy. I later came to know that I was among the 10 fortunate guys who got selected for this scholarship.

25 student delegates representing different countries had assembled in the World Bank committee to discuss two critical topics:

Topic A: Loan Proposals for International Bank for Rural Development (IBRD) Lending.
Topic B: Micro Financing in Times of Contemporary Challenges - Non-Profit vs. Commercial Micro Financing

My main motivation behind attending this conference got triggered when I did my DOCC project with Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Mumbai where I got an opportunity to recommend strategies for providing microfinance loans for the upliftment of rural women.

I felt that discussing the microfinance topic at MUIMUN World Bank committee helped me to widen up my horizons & provided a platform where I exchanged ideas from different cultures and different countries.

I still cannot forget how we all debated on the loan proposal introduced by me as the delegate of India, which talked about IT investments in agriculture sector of India. We also had a lot of heated discussions on proposal from delegations from Indonesia, Pakistan and Russian Federation. At the end of the day almost all of us were totally stressed out. However MUIMUN organizers did a great job of organizing Global Village (International Night), where the delegates were asked to bring specialties from their home countries to let the others share their culture, which actually gave me a chance to see those amazing performances from different traditions. I also got an opportunity to sing a bollywood song ”Tanha Dil” and I think audience liked it :-)

The best part came when the committee members and the Chair chose me as the delegate with the most outstanding and exceptional contribution to the committee. Delegate representing USA and Delegation from Russian Federation were awarded the 2^nd and 3^rd prize respectively at the closing ceremony.

I was also asked by the MUIMUN organizing committee to deliver a speech at the closing ceremony on behalf of all the delegates sharing my experiences and got a standing ovation for that. That was the most joyous moment of my life.

Finally it all ended with a dance party at Cuba Nova disc and I packed my bags to explore another beautiful place Paris, City of Love and the City of Romance!!!! Was there for 4 days and saw some of the best French architectures - Eiffel Tower, Musée du Louvre (Da Vinci Code fame), Chateau de Versailles (Royal palace), The Sacré-Coeur Basilica (Cathedral located at Monmartre Hill), Notre- Dame Cathedral to name a few.

Last but not the least from this conference I took back to my country all those sweet moments, which I spent in one of the Europe’s most beautiful city Muenster, I took back all the learning, which I have got from attending the MUIMUN. And yes I took back the friendship of my fellow delegates, which I will cherish throughout my life.

Cheers,

Somansh