#nmun2014

Four ambitious members of the Climate-KIC community headed to New York City to participate in the National Model United Nations conference (NMUN). In a simulation of a real UN conference, the conference gathered more than 5,000 university students from around the world who, for five days, became international diplomats representing all 193 UN member states.

In keeping with the spirit of the UN proper, important global issues such as peace, human development and climate change were discussed with the aim of proposing new resolutions.

Climate-KIC were represented by a strong student contingent from our partner universities, four of whom have produced a photo journal which sheds light on the inner workings of UN negotiations. 

(L-R) Congli Dong (TU Delft), Rachel Brooks (Imperial College, London), Paul Peschel (TU Berlin) and Marieke van Deelen (Wageningen UR) inside the UN headquarters, NYC. 

Delegation of Grenada

We are now known as the Delegation of Grenada and we've asserted ourselves firmly at the heart of discussions pertaining to those issues closest to our hearts, namely climate change and sustainability. Sitting on the GA2 (General Assembly Second) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) committees, we were able to provide significant technical insight where some, the majority of whom had political backgrounds, fell short.

By adhering to strict international decorum, the ideas of delegates from all around the world could be pooled in a diplomatic fashion, allowing for a unique learning, and decision-making, experience.

Unfazed by the allure of Manhattan, delegates worked tirelessly to propose and approve a plethora of comprehensive resolutions on matters such as Transformation to a Green Economy: Challenges for Transportation Worldwide (UNEP), and Agriculture Development and Food Security (GA2). With a sudden burgeoned knowledge of international shipping conventions and development roadmaps, and a whole host of small-island allies, lousy ideas were discarded, and sturdy, world-improving ideas were shaped into propositions (later to become resolutions). 

United Nations Environment Program committee meeting in NYC. Spot Climate-KIC’s Rachel and Paul. 

Countries' delegates expressing their opinions.

Snapshot of a committee meeting

How can several hundred people speaking different languages sit together in a room and participate equally in a conversation? The mechanics of the UN strive to make this possible, but it is not without challenge. Big countries bullying small countries, alliances forming between friends, a certain amplification that comes with money; understanding these sorts of dynamics, and the way world-changing decisions are reached, is arguably one of the most important steps for young innovators who want to change the world. 

On our way to the NMUN. 

Getting into the spirit of the conference

Participating in conferences like this provides an invaluable opportunity to peer deep into the heart of where policy comes from – and since policy is a major player with climate change mitigation and adaptation, it provides clear snapshot of the challenge at hand.

In pursuit of the technologies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, innovation is needed.

To change political currents, innovation will be needed. 

Paul and Congli with their mementos.  

Politics and Entrepreneurship? Really?

At first glance the formal and political character of an UN conference might not seem to fit the entrepreneurial ambitions of the Climate-KIC community. We want to share three crucial insights based on the UN experience with you.

1 - Everything is negotiable

It might come as a surprise, but the UN member states can vote about many things related to themes of the conference. Even though there are many traditions and protocols, there is much room for critical thinking and negotiations. For example, they vote on the order of the items on the agenda, speaker time, adjourning the meeting, removing certain parts from resolutions and so forth.

This attitude is valuable for the entrepreneurial ambitions of the Climate-KIC members: create discussion and negotiations. You do not have to accept what you do not agree with. It is okay to negotiate and propose your opinion.    

UN voting procedure

2 - Pay close attention to your environment

During the UN conference it is crucial to stay on top of what happens around you. Who are your allies? Which countries disagree with you, and why? You need to lobby for your ideas and work together in order to make sure that your standpoints are addressed and accepted in the final resolutions. If you do not connect or focus on yourself for too long, you will definitely lose momentum.

We can all have the tendency to focus on what we are doing in our own little world; we fall in love with our own ideas and work and we can become engrossed on working on our own projects and neglecting to connect to our environment. Just like in the UN this can turn out to be fatal and you might lose the momentum you needed to actually make your dreams happen. 

Small Island States cooperation in UNEP committee, lobbying for reduced carbon emissions and stricter shipping legislation. Island nations are the ‘frontier’ communities that are most vulnerable to effects of climate change.

3 - Don’t underestimate power of diplomacy

The UN is an international organisation with people from all over the world. Even though all participants have their personal communication styles, within the UN context they all are expected to show diplomacy. This does not mean that people should check their personality out at the door; but that they treat each other with respect keep an open mind and have a cooperative attitude. After some practice, we and other Climate-KIC delegates discovered that a diplomatic attitude helped in reaching agreements more easily.

The Grenada Delegation (NMUN-NY-B) at Times Square. Wouldn't you trust this motley crew?

NMUN needs input from organizations such as Climate-KIC

The students that participated in the NMUN were very skilled in negotiations, sensing their environment and acting diplomatically. However, many had a lack of knowledge when it came down to the content. As a result, many resolutions that were proposed did not establish a clear direction to mitigating climate change or improving food security while some proposals might have even worsened the current situation.

Of course, the UN proper does consist of professionals in the field, but nonetheless this is why it is important that Climate-KIC continues to make itself known in influential organisations such as the UN. Indeed, upon reflection, it seems we should take a moment to just appreciate the very great wealth of skills and knowledge encompassed by the Climate-KIC community. 

Words by: Rachel Brooks, Paul Peschel, Marieke van Deelen and Congli Dong.

Pictures by Rachel Brooks.