A Newbie at the United Nations
Walking into the United Nations is a more daunting experience that you would ever imagine. It can be intimidating, going through security, seeing the security guards with guns in their uniform, the flags and most of all the enormous building. Everything about walking into that place is overwhelming. But, going in and not knowing your way around and most importantly not knowing anyone can be scary. Terrifying actually.
When I got invited to participate as a journalist at the Geneva Model United Nations, I did not know what to expect. First of all, being part of the press team for GIMUN as an AUP student, I was nervous. I did not know anything about how GIMUN worked: from the procedures to the delegates and the people, it was all an amalgamation of complicated words, foreign policy and rules. So many rules.
Employee entrance and the famous flags of the United Nations with a view to the monument of remembrance of the Jewish genocide of WWII, "The Broken Chair". Image Credits: Lorenza Aranda
The first day of the five-day conference I got a badge with my name and the name of the committee I was meant to report on. That badge made me feel important as if I knew my way around. Little did I know how lost I was in that small city that was the United Nations. Nonetheless, I was glad not to be the only one with zero experience as a GIMUNer, since most of the press team (mainly conformed from AUP students), were also first-timers at the conference and the experience was also intimidating. I wasn't alone at least.
GIMUN is a very accurate representation of what happens at the United Nations every day. It has its hierarchy, committees, press, translators, interpreters, and photographers. Every member of the press team was assigned to a different committee: ECOSOC, DISEC, CCPJ, HRC, Security Council and UNEP. Every day we wrote an article about what was going on in our corresponding committees. When explained to us it seemed very easy, but trying to understand all the terms used during the sessions was overwhelming, especially if you had to report on them.
Delegates of ECOSOC voting upon an amendment at ECOSOC. Image Credit: Louise Méresse.
Terms such as unmoderated suspensions, moderated suspensions, delegations, placards, resolutions, drafts, amendments, votes and many more were words I had never heard or used before. It was very overwhelming, especially for a journalist that has to keep up with the committee and what they are talking about. However, it was not only the journalists that had a hard time adapting at the United Nations, but it was also the delegates that a had a hard time keeping up with their topics and being professional at the same time.
Every committee had a different topic. For the SC (Security Council) it was the Libyan crisis, for UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) it was the water crisis and sustainable ecosystems, for ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) violent extremism, for HRC (Human Rights Council) involuntary disappearances and protecting civilians in armed conflict, for DISEC (Disarmament and International Security Committee) Artificial Intelligence, and for CCPJ (Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice) it was smuggling and cryptocurrency. By the end of the week, every committee had to agree on a draft resolution for their respective topics. It took them time, but everyone eventually got there.
As a first timer at a Model United Nations I was very excited but at the same time scared, to not do well, to get lost in the huge place when walking from one building to another, but especially to not report well on what was happening. As the days went by I started learning my way around and I was surrounded by equally lost people, who as first GIMUNers also stumbled upon the magnificent Assembly Room and felt intimidated.
The press team on the last day of GIMUN in the gardens of the United Nations. Image Credits: Lorenza Aranda
By the end of the week, my fellow journalists and I felt a little less intimidated and had a lot more experience. From reporting on committees to knowing our way around the Palais des Nations and feeling like we belonged there, that's what the United Nations does to you.
So a few tips from a fellow GIMUN press "graduate":
1- Ask questions; everyone is feeling the same way as you are.
2- Research everything- it will help you have a better understanding of what you are seeing and doing.
3- Follow the rules, people at the United Nations—even though they are nice—can be very intimidating. Especially when you go through security.
4- Get a map: there are five huge buildings at the United Nations, and the rooms are enumerated in roman numbers so it can get complicated.
5- Always wear your badge: it helps you get recognized by fellow GIMUNers, but also by people that work at the UN who are fascinating people to talk to.
6- Do not be shy: ask, talk, walk around, make friends and trust that you are going to make it through that incredible conference.
7- Enjoy: the most important thing is to take in the experience, meet new people, learn about what is going on with the world and trust the process.
