COMUN 2024
The 29th of February saw eleven enthusiastic students departing from the gates of CISK, headed towards the clubs’ first conference of the year. Colombo Operated Model United Nations (COMUN) is the oldest student conference in Sri Lanka, and the year 2024 marked its 30th session, consisting of fiery debate from the 1st to the 3rd of March.
This COMUN introduced delegates to various new committees as well as different procedural changes to the usual committees. Therefore, a total of three practice debates were conducted by COMUN to prepare delegates for this conference. The CISK delegation attended two of these practice debates in Colombo, and we were able to host our regular Wednesday afternoon sessions to train novices and experienced members alike in writing Foreign Policy Statements and Speaker’s List Speeches. Thus, when our delegation entered the Overseas School of Colombo auditorium on the 1st of March for the opening ceremony, we were able to calm our nerves as we were well-researched and prepared.
Many committees covered Speaker’s List Speeches and an amount of Moderate Caucus Topics on the first day of conference. The second day focused on drafting, writing, and discussing resolutions. Resolutions are what an MUN conference boils down to, and these are essential as they present all the issues and solutions brought up throughout the two days of conference. The eleven delegates of CISK, spanning from grades 7 to 11, participated in the five following committee of the conference over the three days, addressing a variety of issues and solutions:
● The Head of States Cabinet Council discussing the dissolution of the UN,
● The United Nations General Assembly Third Committee that advocated for securing human rights amidst the current upheaval of conflicts,
● The United Nations General Assembly Fourth Committee which tackled the Israel-Palestine conflict and the role played by external stakeholders,
● The International Olympic Committee which addressed the challenges of state-sponsored doping while focusing on the Russian Olympic ban and finally,
● The Marvel Cinematic Universe Committee on the possible construction of an international convention on the jurisdiction of metahumans.
Accommodation for three nights was found at the Clock Inn Dehiwala, a CISK staple when partaking in events in the capital. Upon arrival on the first night before the conference, most delegates promptly collapsed. However on the second night after the first day of debate, we journeyed a short distance to the coast of Colombo and enjoyed the beach in the dusk, and found our dinner at a seaside restaurant. It can be said that this part of the stay and the bus rides are perhaps the most memorable, letting delegates bond with each other and invoking a sense of camaraderie and friendship.
The third and final day, unique to COMUN as being a crisis session, commenced in the Crystal Ballrooms of the Taj Samudra Colombo. Committees were split into two for crisis to be possible: Specialised Committee crisis, and General Assemblies crisis. The final day of COMUN is immensely enjoyable as the chairs prepare out-of-this-world (sometimes literally) storylines to test the delegates’ ability to think on their feet and come up with quick and effective solutions, no matter how strange the situation. After a fervent and entertaining morning, all delegates broke for a hearty lunch, an enticing buffet spread, provided by the Taj Samudra in the South Lawn Marquee. To some delegates, this is the highlight of the conference.
As the day drew to a close, the CISK delegation once again gathered together for the closing ceremony, where highly revered special guests spoke, and much awaited awards were announced. As the delegates piled into the bus at the entrance of the Taj Samudra for the last ride home, we were able to reflect on what an incredible learning opportunity COMUN was, for both novices of CISKMUN and experienced members. It unveiled the potential of the delegates present and of the club, highlighting the students’ dedication and passion for clubs like MUN.
Every conference, every practice session hones diplomacy and skill that will aid us beyond classrooms; it encourages critical thinking and nurtures a solution-oriented mindset in every delegate who attends, and enables us to empower not only ourselves, teaches us how to empower others too.
To conclude, our deepest gratitude goes towards Mrs. Laure M. Fernando, our Teacher In Charge, for accompanying us and making all of this possible
Article by: Lihini Ranaraja
