“Our team has worked tirelessly to prepare for the 15th Annual MUN Conference, which promises to be our most exciting yet. With a record number of delegates, including international participants for the first time, the Academic and Organizing Committees have gone above and beyond to ensure success. The AC has diligently prepared delegates, while the OC has expertly managed logistics for this year’s scale. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication, which has eased the workload and set the stage for our most successful conference yet!”
- The secretariats: Aesha Hazem, Hussien El Feky, and Zeina Abbassi
The 15th anniversary of the HIAMUN conference marks a milestone in its legacy, and the Academic and Organizing Committees are going above and beyond to make this year’s conference the best one yet. As HIAMUN’s community grows, so does the ambition behind the conference. From logistics to debates, the committees have carefully planned every detail to create a memorable experience for all attendees.
Firstly, Behind the Scenes: The Organizing Committee.
To ensure that this year’s HIAMUN runs smoothly, the Organizing Committee, which oversees everything from the venue and transportation to catering, fundraising, admin, and press, plays a key role. Their task is to ensure that the conference runs smoothly by precisely planning and coordinating all non-academic aspects of HIAMUN, creating an environment where delegates can focus entirely on the debates and discussions while every other aspect of the conference runs smoothly.
Supporting a Cause Beyond the Conference
This year, the fundraising team has taken a meaningful step forward by dedicating their efforts to support Palestinians in need by partnering up with the Red Crescent organization. Amidst these horrific times, we must do all we can to help the Palestinians neighboring us. All the money we raise will go to the benefit and aid of the people of Palestine, as that is the only moral thing to do.
Venue and Transportation: Ensuring a Smooth Journey for Delegates
Transportation is a crucial element for this conference to run smoothly. Considering that this year will be the first time HIAMUN will host international students, the committee is dedicated to making transportation smooth for both local and international delegates. The heads have developed a transportation plan that includes buses and detailed schedules for international attendees, ensuring they navigate from their accommodations to the venue smoothly and efficiently. They have also ensured effective venues and setups for all the forums.
Catering: Elevating the Dining Experience
Moreover, Joud Rashdan, the Catering Head, is committed to elevating the dining experience for attendees. With various international cuisines and vendors offering coffee and snacks throughout the conference, “To ensure the highest quality, our caterers will undergo a rigorous vetting process,” Rashdan explained. The catering heads are making sure that food will not only taste good but also look visually appealing. “I, alongside my deputy, are dedicated to the presentation of the food, as I believe that its visual appeal is just as important as its taste,” Rashdan added. They have also accommodated dietary restrictions by “clearly labeling all food items to indicate which dishes meet specific dietary needs” and ensuring caterers can meet the diverse needs of the attendees
Press: Showcasing HIAMUN’s Impact
All of this information could only be represented and advertised thoroughly with the help of the press team. Therefore, Mariam Darwish, Head of Press, is focused on representing HIAMUN in the best possible light through various social media platforms. “Portraying the constant hard work of our fellow AC, OC, and delegates can all be seen through our social media accounts,” she claims. The press team will focus on creating “videos, designs, and articles” to display the conference and encourage delegates to sign up for HIAMUN’25, which she claims will hopefully be the “best conference yet.”
The Admins in action
Meanwhile, the admin team is undergoing thorough preparation to ensure the conference's smooth functioning and that the admins' preparation is complete. These include workshops and training sessions to familiarize admins with their roles, MUN procedures, and protocols. While also helping them develop key skills such as time management and document handling. Through intensive workshops and mock simulations, the admins are sharpening their organizational and problem-solving skills to handle any challenges that may arise.
Secondly, The Academic Committee: Creating Engaging and Productive Debates
On the other hand, while the Organizing Committee works hard to ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, the Academic Committee is determined to facilitate meaningful debates while helping delegates develop their skills. This year, HIAMUN is also expanding its impact by offering training sessions to outside delegates, providing them with the tools and confidence needed to excel during the conference. The 15th conference is shaping into a remarkable event, with a lineup of 11 distinct forums, each catering to a unique aspect of global affairs and diplomacy. The forums include: GA, GA1, GA3, GA6, HRC, ECOSOC, AL, ICJ, SC, UNCAC, and CCPCJ.
Preparing the Delegates
Ensuring that the delegates are efficiently preparing for the conference is an essential task that the Academic Committee is “taking very seriously,” according to Layla El Sharkawy, General Assembly President. Sharkawy explains the preparation process and plans on “creating engaging activities to solidify the new information they will learn, such as competitions, prizes, and activities.” Moreover, she, alongside her chair, intends to ensure that delegates are confident in their topics before the conference by helping each delegate individually tackle their stance on each topic. Sharkawy aims to achieve this by creating “mock debates” and perhaps inviting delegates from other forums to establish a “dynamic and create the atmosphere of a real MUN conference.”
Karma El Nasharaty, Security Council President, emphasizes her dedication to enhancing her delegates’ debating skills through the techniques she plans to implement during preparation. El Nasharaty mentioned her plan to create mock debates with her delegates and “expose them to real-life scenarios and provide real-time feedback.” These debates will teach her delegates how to speak confidently and help them project their voices and use effective body language.
Guiding First-Time delegates
Furthermore, the Academic Committee is going the extra mile to ensure new delegates feel confident and prepared for the conference. Recognizing that stepping into MUN for the first time can be stressful, they have designed training sessions that break down the essentials of debate, resolution writing, and the rules of procedure in an approachable way. El Nasharaty emphasized her commitment to guiding newcomers: “We begin with simplified introductions to MUN procedures, covering everything from rules of debate to resolution writing, ensuring they understand the basics.” Through one-on-one support and engaging mock debates, the team is dedicated to building the confidence of every new delegate, ensuring they are well-equipped and prepared to contribute to the discussions.
Looking Forward to HIAMUN’s Future
With the dedication of both the Academic and Organizing Committees, the 15th HIAMUN conference is set to be an event that not only celebrates how far HIAMUN has come, but also paves the way for future growth. From insightful debates to seamless planning and a strong social media presence, this year’s conference highlights the commitment of everyone involved. As the committees look forward to the conference, they are confident that it will inspire delegates and set a new standard for future HIAMUNs.