Johannesburg
Model United Nations (JOMUN) Reflection
We are now into the second day of the JOMUN
conference. I am part of the press team. My duties are to take notes on the
continuous coverage of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and create an
article to publish in the JOMUN Journal. The first day consisted of debating
between Japan and Australia on the case of whaling in the Antarctic. Australia
brought Japan to Court due to illegal commercial whaling rather than scientific
research. The second day consisted of rebuttals, and the third will consist of
deliberations.
After the completion of day one and two my
learning outcome as part of the press committee was to complete the article to
be published in the third JOMUN Journal. My observations during day one and day
two over a period of combined sixteen hours was laborious and intense at times.
The debate that went on between Japan and Australia had some critical moments.
One being, Japans constant objections to Australia’s unreliable evidence. These
debates went on for hours and as a press member my observations and perceptions
became a bit unclear due to the constant changing arguments that led to dead
ends. My learning outcome is to be patient, a very careful listener, and record
the evidence from each party verbatim. It can become very tedious but the cause
and the outcome of this debate is important and is the voice to the whales. So,
my hard work, patience, and the collaboration with other JOMUN members are
needed to save the future whale stocks.
My actions involved in this debate consisted of
constant awareness and attention of the surroundings within the Courtroom. Document the data as spoken, facts rather
than opinions. Also, at all times remembering to keep my own thoughts and
beliefs out of the argument. Continuously displaying professionalism and to
remember that my limitations in this situation is simply to be the writer and
the writer only. I could not take sides on either part; I must remain
non-judgmental.
My learning moments consisted on the happenings
within the case. I had to be conscious to write and pull out the most important
facts and data. I had to have a keen listening skill to sift through the
information to determine what was important and what wasn’t. The lessons that I
learnt from one debate to the next were to be patient and non-judgmental at all
times. Changes that might have been desirable during this two-day debate and
rebuttal between Japan and Australia are to provide the press member with a
table along with my chair. I found it difficult to continuously write on a
slate on my lap without a table. As a press member I must be unbiased to the
arguments presented by the members of Japan and Australia. My future goals are
to be part of JOMUN again next year and continuing to expand my knowledge and
expertise as a press member. This conference provides me skills and techniques
to apply to my future endeavors in an office environment/professionalism.
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