MUN musings

Model UN team around the UN Flag

(we actually met at the UN Offices in Asia)

About 20 Years ago (in January of 1990) I visited Bangkok Thailand on my way to Vietnam for a Calvin College interim study tour. Almost all of the members of my group were immersed into a developing country for the first time. Scooters and Tuk-tuks (dilapidated three wheel motorized vehicles) crowded the streets and pollution hung in the air. Ramshackle houses crowded along dirty rivers. We were quite amazed at the poverty of the place, until we landed in Vietnam a few days later, where dirt roads and an even greater absolute poverty were the norms.

SPH student presents Speech in Committee

About 10 years ago (1998), Bangkok and Thailand imploded during the Asian financial crises, which started here. What started as a real estate and currency bubble popping (sound familiar) led to chaos all over Asia including riots in Indonesia.

I just returned to Thailand this week and the change is quite amazing. Pollution seems much better, economic growth evident and prosperity obvious. While I am sure there is a side I am not seeing (including the inequality found between those in wealthy cities and the poor in the country side), nonetheless, the people of Thailand have more options for a strong education, good employment, quality housing and decent healthcare than ever before. Although environmental sustainability is still a huge question all of these formerly mentioned items indicate strong development.

Entire Delegation

The reason I am in Bangkok was to spend 4 days with 10 of my students at a Model United Nations (MUN) conference with kids from all over Asia (Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Thailand) where we simulated the real United Nations and their mandate to stop war and foster cooperation and development between nations. In this way, Thailand was a fitting place for this conference, not to mention we held the event in a real United Nations building (The UN building in Southeast Asia).

Model U.N. ends with the writing of superlatives, which are fun descriptors of the events and delegates. Here are MY superlatives from the trip:

• Proudest moment: Despite being ESL and having no prior experience, watching my students engage in debate with refined, experienced and older International students (many of whom are the children of diplomats).


• Most embarrassing moment: realizing my attempt to taxi to dinner with 5 of my students has left us in a seedy neighborhood… in Bangkok (known as the sex capital of the world)!


• Most bothersome moments: watching wealthy but frugal (nice way of saying it) students haggle with poor street vendors over a few pennies.


• Most unnerving moment: watching wealthy but CHEAP students ARGUE with ME over how much they should pay following a meal!
  
• Longest moments: Sitting in an airport and an air plane, typing this blog and wishing to be home with Janet and the kids after 4 very long days!