By Jana Hesham
Both the academic and organizing committees play a significant role in literally putting the whole event together. We interviewed some members of the AC and OC, to bring you the jist of what HIAMUN’s team carry in spirit and how each member contributes to the conference.
What do you like most about MUN?
“The heated debates between the delegates.” - Aly Haytham, AL Chair
“The thing I like most about MUN is that it opens our eyes to the issues the world faces and it gives us the opportunity to find solutions, while also learning about the different perspectives each nation has.” - Malak Kamal, GA 3 Chair
“One of the main things I like about MUN is that it allows for the negotiation of different topics that are of utmost importance. Furthermore, it allows each and every individual to develop new skills such as debate, presentation, and communication skills.” - Fatema Ottozbeer, GA President
“What I love most about MUN conferences is how diverse they are, you get to meet new people from all the different schools.” - Youssef El Wardany, GA 3 President
“I love watching delegates get so immersed in the debates. I recall an ICJ case last year where the advocates got so immersed into the case and made the case feel so real to me. I also remember a conversation after a debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with one of the delegates who happened to be Palestinian. The conversation made me look at this debate in a different way than I saw others.” - Alaa Aref, Press Head
What inspired you to enter HIAMUN this year?
“For the past three years, MUN has always been a way for me to stay in touch with the world around me and the events happening everyday. And since I like to always know what’s happening around me, I decided to go on with the MUN experience even more and become a chair so that I am even more aware of the topics at hand.” - Aly Haytham, AL Chair
“I chose to enter HIAMUN this year since it’s my last. That means that just like numerous people have left their marks in my life when I was starting my MUN career, I want to at least try to be half as helpful as all those that helped pave my way.” - Malak Kamal, GA 3 Chair
“I decided to enter the AC this year because I saw it as a great opportunity to grow and develop as an individual through an activity that I personally find very pleasurable and interesting.” - Fatema Ottozbeer, GA President
“I have been a part of HIAMUN for the last 3 years, first as an admin then as a delegate. This year I decided to be a part in bringing this conference to life. So, I was inspired to apply to the AC this year and have the chance to guide all delegates before and throughout the conference. “ - Youssef El Wardany, GA 3 President
Describe your role in three words.
“Driven. Persistent. Impactful.” - Aly Haytham, AL Chair
“I feel like the three words that would best describe my role is more of a statement ‘laying the foundation’.” - Malak Kamal, GA 3 Chair
“Indispensable, collaborative, and enjoyable.” - Fatema Ottozbeer, GA President
“Guiding, leading, empowering.” - Youssef El Wardany, GA 3 President
What makes your role important in HIAMUN?
“ It’s important because I make sure that the forum runs smoothly and in the best way possible.” - Aly Haytham, AL Chair
“Because without me all delegates and directors will most probably starve.” - Iman Mahgoub, Catering Head
“I feel that since the academic committee decides on the council topics and writes the reports, it helps shape delegates’ minds to view things from a certain point of view. As well as it is laying the basis for delegates to grow throughout the duration of the conference by ensuring that everyone participates and enjoys it.” - Malak Kamal, GA 3 Chair
“In my point of view, my role is extremely significant since it facilitates the learning process for the delegates, as well as that it makes the overall HIAMUN experience better and more enjoyable.” - Fatema Ottozbeer, GA President
“The president has a very important role, since all presidents need to guide, lead, and empower all delegates before and throughout the conference to give them an exceptional experience.” - Youssef El Wardany, GA 3 President
“I believe that the media in general has become a huge factor in our lives and a significant part of all industries. So, when it comes to MUN I don't believe it is any different. From designing our logo, to promotional teasers and videos, to press blog articles and daily newsletters during the conference, the press team plays a very important role. I believe that as press head, my role is to not only oversee the activities and duties of press and its execution, but to also create an experience for our press members and teach them about the role the media plays in any society and help them get to experience it first-hand.” - Alaa Aref, Press Head
What do you want people to know about your role?
“What I want people to know about my role is that I’m doing my best to make sure everyone enjoys HIAMUN’20’s food!” - Iman Mahgoub, Catering Head
“It’s a lot of work, but you become a part in planning one of the best MUN conferences.” - Youssef El Wardany, GA 3 President
“We hope that people would pay more attention to our press blog updates and releases. We hope to maintain the spirit of HIAMUN in the months leading up to the event, and so we hope people can not only view our press blog article and social media updates, but also get engaged and help us maintain that spirit.” - Alaa Aref, Press Head
How do you choose the topics? Tell us about the process.
“When we start choosing our topics we tend to try and search for ones that are constantly affecting us and our societies. The delegates would easily be able to relate to the topic, which would lead to them becoming more active in the debate.” - Aly Haytham, AL Chair
“Picking our topics was quite the challenge. When I first joined the team my president, Youssef El Wardany, showed me a few topic ideas and there the discussion started with us agreeing upon two almost immediately. However, the third topic proved harder to find taking us nearly two weeks to find a topic we both felt was strong enough to spark debate in the Third General Assembly.” - Malak Kamal, GA 3 Chair
“I chose the topics by searching for global issues that have a major impact on our lives, and issues that threaten a lot of countries’ stability and well-being.” - Fatema Ottozbeer, GA President
“Choosing MUN topics is a very important process. The topic must tackle a modern rising controversial-issue that would interest all delegates. In order to come up with that topic I must look into previously discussed resolutions and research relevant issues. Lastly, it is of high importance to word the topic in the correct manner for the delegates to understand what aspects to focus on.” - Youssef El Wardany, GA 3 President
How do you plan on arranging the menu for HIAMUN?
“I plan on arranging the menu for the conference by meeting with my deputy and fundraising team to arrange the sponsors and venues that we can afford. We would also check all the previous surveys to see last year’s delegates’ comments and try to adjust the menu to fit everyone’s needs, then most importantly taste the food (which is my favorite part).” - Iman Mahgoub, Catering Head
How do you plan the roles of the press team members?
“Press members who sign up, whether as writers, designers, or otherwise, give us a brief understanding of their experience in the media as well as their areas of expertise/interest. Further interviews that we conduct give us a deeper understanding of how each applicant can contribute to the team. While this information helps us in choosing our final committee members, it also helps when dividing the roles and assignments.” - Alaa Aref, Press Head