HIAMUN ‘16 - The HIAMUN Impact: Youssef Ramzy & Ahmed El-Agha

As HIAMUN’s sixth conference approaches, the conference was awarded the THIMUN Qatar affiliated plaque during the THIMUN Qatar Leadership Conference, QLC on the 15th of October. It was accepted by HIAMUN’14 Secretary General, Ahmed-El Agha, who was a guest speaker in the conference alongside HIAMUN’15 Press Head, Youssef Ramzy on “Photography & Videography in MUN Press Teams”.

We caught up with the alumni to discuss their HIAMUN experiences and the impact it had on their lives post-school.

What would you say about the significance of Press Teams to a conference?

Youssef Ramzy: The press teams are the ones that make the conference successful. They basically do everything from advertising the conference, up until documenting the conference itself. A press team is an essential and key element in any MUN conference, it is an important need to create a successful conference. The press team is what makes the conference an actual conference!

What do you think is so unique about HIAMUN that has gotten it so far?

Ahmed El-Agha: I think HIAMUN is the perfect balance between fun and seriousness. The level of debate is very high, and at the same time the delegates have a lot of fun. It isn't easy to find that combination in an MUN conference. 

How has contributing to HIAMUN affected you personally and helped develop you?

Youssef Ramzy: Contributing to HIAMUN had a great impact on me, I can say that it gave me the motivation to work with many different people no matter what conflict I faced. It made me practice my leadership skills, especially as a press head, and it definitely affected me in terms of organization and time management. Because one day in our lives we will have to face the true meaning of being leaders, and we will face many complications we will have to solve. So yes, HIAMUN had a great impact on me in who I am or what i do today.

Ahmed El-Agha: MUN took me out of my comfort zone, and made me more comfortable with public speaking and communication. Participating in HIAMUN helped me push that further because I was doing it with people I already knew well, which also added to the fun. The executive positions helped me in leadership skills and decision-making. In fact, I got to develop these skills ever since my first conference as a delegate, since even in that position you're technically taking decisions on behalf of a country!

Participating in MUN has definitely affected these two alumni positively, from being Secretary General to Press Head, the leadership positions that they have taken on have helped their organizational skills, decision-making and more, as well as their earlier roles as delegates have. It has helped them branch out to other activities and develop their skills, such as presenting at the Qatar Leadership Conference. We hope they continue to grow, along with many more students.

HIAMUN ‘16 - Secretary-General Interview: Mariam Hassaballah

Meet HIAMUN 2016’s Secretary-General, Mariam Hassaballah. An active high-school senior to-be that has mastered the ability to run one of the most anticipated and hopefully successful MUN conferences as of next year. Introducing someone like Mariam, last year’s GA president, is a mere formality. Assuming that you take part in the MUN community, chances are that you would be quite familiar with the name. Mariam’s notable influence on MUN grounds can be further clarified through the consideration of her countless characteristics that distinguish her as surely an influential leader. 

Her constant stand for what she believes in, as well as what MUN stands for, and the necessary incorporation of that into the upcoming conference, is evident in the following interview which we had the pleasure of carrying out with her. The insight regarding the theme of next year’s conference “metamorphosis” and the future of HIAMUN as well as its technical side can be obtained from this interview.

Mariam Hassaballah, the Secretary-General of HIAMUN (Hayah Model United Nations) 2016. 

HIAMUN has become one of the very reputable conferences in Egypt. What traditions has it developed over the years and how would you characterize it?

HIAMUN has developed traditions that we are keen on keeping. They may not be grand traditions, however, they are small ones that characterize HIAMUN. This would include the layout of the tables with the flags, and the outstanding opening and closing ceremony videos. I do believe, though, that with every new conference, there is a different spirit that is established by both the AC and OC. 

One of the goals of MUN is to bring young, bright minds together to create dialogue and interaction. Do you feel that the delegates of next year’s conferences will be able to tackle the topics and become agents of change? 

Each year, new delegates join HIAMUN seeking means to broaden their skills and knowledge. Mostly, the new delegates are placed in the General Assembly, and because of the exceptional guidance of the president and chair of the GA, and our director Mr. Karim el Dib, the new delegates will, in fact, be agents of change. 

What is the rationale behind the topic choices this year?

The topics this year follow the theme of “metamorphosis,” the final change of transformation. We believe that a solution to these topics, a framework that will enable change, a prospectus would lead to total transformation in the world today. 

Get to know Mariam:

How would you describe yourself in one word?

    Well, it’s not one word, but obsessively organized. 

If you were an animated character which one would you be? Why?

    Mojo Jojo, I’d rather not tell you why.