Farewell Singapore - Home Here We Come!

Before we knew it THIMUN was over and it was time to pack our bags and head home. On Saturday we got up at 5am to have an early breakfast and meet our bus for the final time. Whilst it was great to turn our minds to home and loved ones, there was a strong sense of leaving a little part of ourselves behind. It had been such a great week and we had made some lifelong friends and memories. Here are some final photos of our Singaporean adventure. Hope we can revisit again one day.

Checking our tickets and passports!

Happy end to a great trip

Thank You Singapore

As we arrived at the Clock Tower for the final time, we all knew that it was a time to say goodbye to all the wonderful new friends and the MUN language that had become part of our lives in the past week as our final day at the THIMUN conference had come about. THIMUN Singapore has been such an amazing experience that words can not explain my thoughts towards it. Thinking back to before.

Farewell Singapore

Our last day of the Thimun Singapore Conference was by far the best and worst day. Best because we had made so many new friends and MUN procedure and language had finally become part of our daily lives, but worst because this was the last time we would be together in our committee rooms with the same delegates and chairs. The Thimun Singapore experience was one that can never be matched; it was so amazing, extraordinary and beyond any words or description. The lifelong lessons and opportunities I have recently experienced will stay with me my whole life. The friendships, encounters and knowledge I will take out of this trip has really contributed to my personal development and has left a defining mark on my life. Be it the intriguing and heated debates within our committees, or the sneaky notes and laughter that continuously filled the room; Thimun Singapore has really changed and shaped my view on contemporary international issues. I cannot highlight the amazing times the PLC girls had on this trip, and highly recommend for future girls to consider applying.

I also cannot express my appreciation and thanks to Ms Bennetts and Mrs Field in a way that justly outlines all their hard work, commitment and love in accompanying us on this trip. They truly made this experience all the more better, memorable and enjoyable. Without those incredible teachers, I can honestly say the Thimun Singapore experience would not have been complete. 

Thank you for giving me this extraordinary opportunity to undergo life as a delegate of Kuwait in ECOSOC, and to interact with other delegates from across the globe with one thing in common; their love for Thimun. I feel so privileged to have undergone this experience and cannot fully extend my absolute gratitude. 

I will be sure to never forget this life marking experience as it was by far the best week of my life! Thanks to all those involved, 

Emily. 

Final Days In Singapore

An awesome final couple of days were spent in Singapore! A particular highlight for me was submitting an amendment in the final debate of my General Assembly and I even managed to get it to pass!

Plenery was an interesting experience where we got to see the other things other GAs had debated and listen to some very impressive speakers.

I loved the closing ceremony although it was bittersweet as I never wanted the conference to end! I had made so many new friends. It was great to hear some insightful speeches from very well practiced THIMUN goers and to hear their perspectives on what many believed was one of their best conferences.

I would finally just like to say an enormous thank you to Ms Bennetts and Mrs Field who both took precious time away from their families in order to spend what I would say was one of my best schooling experiences with us. The personal growth experience on THIMUN is invaluable and I couldn't have experienced this anywhere else. So I say a massive thank you to these two wonderful teachers for facilitating this as well as Ms Golotta the keen organiser of this event.

To anyone contemplating the thought of going to THIMUN I would absolutely say DO IT! You don't have to be a keen public speaker you just need to want to reach out and connect with people of different cultures and experiences, to learn their ways of life and to try to understand some of the world's challenges. I believe there is truly no other way that this personal growth can be achieved.

Much thanks again!
Edwina

Final Day

Today was definitely one of the hardest days of the conference. Each delegate began the day knowing that this would be the last time that they entered their General Assembly and it would also be the last time you would see the same room of people, all together at once. Each GA/Committee truly become every girls second family on this trip. Throughout the day as resolutions continued to pass and also continued to fail, the selfies of delegates became more and more frequent. When the General Assembly finally came to a close that afternoon, it can safely be said that there were tears in conjunction to gripping hugs from each and every delegate.

Within my own General Assembly a couple other girls and myself had mastered the art of note passing in order to gain support for resolutions and overall creating allies with numerous different nations. This was our silly photo at the end of the day to commemorate our team work, which also couldn't of been done without the help of the admin staff who spent hours running around delivering our messages to the other delegates (photo below)

Each PLC girl who attended the THIMUN conference has made lifelong friendships with delegates from all corners of the world. Now some may find this hard to believe since the conference did only run for four days .. but none of us are lying! Not only is the THIMUN conference one which encompasses great levels of learning and thought provoking debates, it is also the people who make this experience so invaluable. An example of this could be seen in one of the delegates from Taiwan. She had such a passion for learning, which soon became clear after she had demonstrated her abilities to communicate in eight different languages (and counting.) Many of the girls have been inspired by who they have met and can't wait to implement certain influences from their fellow delegates into their everyday lives, (this may include trying to learn a new language.) 

The conference was an experience which I personally entered into with a great level of nerves and uncertainty, but it is now evident that it is something unable of being  traded in for anything. The experience was one of true value as our public speaking skills were put to the test, our own morals were questioned through debates, whilst also forming friendships which are guaranteed to last a lifetime.

THIMUN has been an unforgettable experience, which none of us will ever forget! 

THIMUN Day Four - Final Day

THIMUN Day Four

It is difficult to believe it is the final day of THIMUN. It has gone so fast, no doubt due to the incredibly stimulating environment.

On our way on the last day of THIMUN

This morning was the final session for all GA Committees.

Issy asking POI in GA 3

           

 

Issy presenting a speech on the resolution "Taking Action Against Gender-related killing of women and girls" in the GA 3 (Social, Cultural and Humanitarian)

After an early lunch the Plenary Session commenced. The delegates were feeling a bit tired by now and much clapping was heard every time a resolution was passed. 'House please come to order!' was heard a number of times.

Plenary Session

Issy speaking in the Plenary session on Resolution eradicating malnutrition in children

Final Dinner in Singapore: Little India

Closing Ceremony

Inspiring speeches from the THIMUN dignitaries

Sights and Sounds of India

Very last walk back to our Hotel in Orchard Road

Goodbye Singapore, we will miss you!

We are the world

THIMUN

THIMUN Language is unique and always in the third person ...Here are some fun examples to try

• Suspend note passing and secure the doors
• Any and all
• The House should come to order
• The Delegate's should show respect to the speaker
• Present and voting
• Would the House come to order
• Clapping is permitted
• Clapping is not permitted
• Would The Delegate please yield the floor back to the Chair
• The Delegates of Greece, Kuwait and Romania you have been recognized in that order.
• This Delegate apologizes for using the personal pronoun
• Would The Delegate like to yield the floor back to The Chair or to another Delegate
• The Delegate would like to urge the House to vote in the affirmative for his resolution
• Is the Delegate open to any Points of Information
• Any and All
• Any and all pertaining to the speech
• Could the Delegate please repeat the question in an more audible and precise manner
• All delegates are reminded to address the House in 3rd person
• The floor is open to any speakers who want to speak to the resolution as a whole.
• The Delegate of Kuwait you have been recognised

Conference Day Three - GA3 Committee for Social, Cultural and Humanitarian

Report From Emma - GA3 Committee for Social, Cultural and Humanitarian

The THIMUN conference has opened up everyones eyes to the true nature of the United Nations and how difficult it really is to pass a successful resolution, which would effectively solve the issues at hand. Anyone involved in THIMUN as well as any onlookers would both agree that the conference runs like clockwork. There is a Head of Chair keeping order in each General Assembly, as well as the Admin boys from the Hwa Chong Institute breaking a sweat while running around, trying their utter best to pass around the countless notes from each delegate. They consider this duty a community service.

Yesterday's debates in the Third General Assembly was one to remember. Emotions were running high as each delegate held strong beliefs on each and every issue. The resolutions debated were that of combatting sex tourism, the eradication of malnutrition as well as reducing the gap between urban and rural areas regarding health services, education and sanitation. After hours of amendments being made and each delegate raising their placard to vote, debates concluded with three resolutions getting passed and many ecstatic smiles filling the room. Everyone could agree that the day was a true success! 

GA1 - First Committee on Disarmament and International Security

Report from Vicki, MUN Ambassador

First Committee on Disarmament and International Security

Some heated and enlightening debate in GA1. We examined issues such as the Senkaku Islands dispute, disarmament in the Asia-Pacific and telecommunications security. A particularly intense debate on a resolution calling for mediation and fairness in dealing with the terriorial integrity of former Soviet Republics. No matter what country, everyone had an opinion and fought for it. I made some points of information and sent many notes to other delegates to gain support - a type of lobbying. We managed to pass three Resolutions out of five. A fun and productive day!

Conference Day 3: GA3 Committee for Social, Cultural and Humanitarian

REPORT FROM ISSY:

Yesterday, conference Day Three, much occurred in the ever productive, fun-spirited General Assembly 3. GA3 has had the most resolutions approved and therefore we have a lot to get through.

Yesterday we debated four resolutions, and passed three of them: two on reducing the gap between urban and rural citizens; one on combating sex tourism and one on child malnutrition. (Clapping was in order.) The delegate from Human Rghts Watch  (Issy) and the delegate from Kuwait (Emma - see photo below) each made POIs. 

GA3 is an assembly with a great atmosphere and many great delegates, which means that the delegates are often making jokes and have to be reminded that laughing is not in order. At one stage, the chair reminded the delegates that laughing was not in order only for the house to erupt into laughter.

Overall, it was a very successful day and very enjoyable for all delegates!

The debate now yields the floor back to the chair.

Day 3 Conference - GA 2 - Committee on Economic and Financial

Report from Edwina - MUN Ambassador and Head Delegate

Day 3 was an exciting day in GA 2. It was our first full day of conferencing and we discussed a wide range of issues including the 2015 International Year of the Light, the empowerment of women and addressing corruption in Asian economies.

Some good resolutions passed and some great resolutions failed but it was great fun nonetheless. I asked 3 Points of Information but a definite highlight was socialising at lunchtime. I learnt lots about the different cultures and religions that were present at the conference. 

It was a fantastic day of debate and we are all looking forward to our final day of debating.

THIMUN Conference Day 3 - The Economic and Social Council

Report from Emily - ECOSOC The Economic and Social Council

Yesterday was the third day of the conference, and the second day of debating. Our resolution has not yet been debated, but another resolution of the same issue has been presented, but it sadly didn't pass.

The first day of the conference was lobbying, where we got together in our different groups of issues and discussed a combined resolution. This process was very tedious due to the many intelligent & significant clauses each member of our group had, but eventually we were able to cut it down & ended up with a resolution of around 10 operative clauses (from about 30!). Lobbying was also the best opportunity to meet new people; those in your issue group as well as those from other groups pleading for co-submitters. Debating was extremely exhilarating, with lots of sophisticated questions but very enjoyable! We can't wait for today, but unfortunately it's our last day :( We've all loved it so much so far! None of us want to leave! )

Day 3 Conference - Human Rights Council

Report From Joie - Human Rights Council

A day of interesting debate has come about in the Human Rights Council. With China being the main-submitter of the resolution - Protecting Religious Diversity. Much controversial yet intellectual debate was formed. Many amendments were suggested and debated by other delegates and eventually after voting the resolution passed; clapping was allowed.

THIMUN Dinner Dance

Report from Elizabeth:

Last night was very action packed and full of energy with the PLC Sydney girls hitting the dance floor. Everyone enjoyed the night and danced like there was no tomorrow. It was a great way to close the second last day of the THIMUN conference.

THIMUN Day Three

THIMUN Day Three:

The start of another exciting day of lobbying and debating!

A busy and interesting day with students getting up to present POI's and give speeches on their Resolution

A report from Selina Day 3:

Things seem to be a bit more relaxed in Human Rights Council than in some of the other General Assemblies that I have heard about. Obviously we still speak in 'conference' language and debate resolutions and send notes like anyone else but some delegates make jokes in their resolutions or use analogies comparing some of the other delegates to amusing things and the Chair (speakers) even lead us in some exercise! The three of us in this council (Joie, Elizabeth and myself) are all enjoying debating in this council and we have all had the chance to speak, whether making a speech or asking a POI. Unfortunately neither Joie nor myself got the opportunity to speak on our own issues but we have both spoken on other issues and have been dry involved in note passing.

Selina representing Kuwait speaking confidently in the Human Rights Council

Kuwait Delegates (Selina and Joie) and and Human Rights Watch (Elizabeth) with the hard working and cheerful THIMUN Administrators (Year 8 and Year 9 Students from Hwa Chong Institute)

Edwina requests a POI in the GA2 Committee for Economic and Financial 

Note passing keeps the administrators busy!

Emma and Izzy in the GA3 Committee for Social, Cultural and Humanitarian

Suspend note passing and secure the doors - Edwina votes against a clause submission in GA2

Joie eloquently offering a POI on a Resolution on the Human Rights Council

Joie eloquently speaking at the Human Rights Council

Vinita reports on the THIMUN Dinner Dance, Day Three

PLC raised the roof at the dance!

Yesterday after a hardworking yet incredible day of debating, we all headed to the dance! A time where we girls got to let our hair down and socialize with all the other delegates. It was a hectic night, with more than 1000 delegates jumping up and down and raising up their hands to the loud, heart pumping beat of the music. It was such an eye opener for us all, we all experienced socializing with people from all over the world not only talking about resolutions and speeches but getting to know their personalities and interests. Some with different beliefs, cultures and religions. Everyone was all different in their own unique way, there were outfits from ball gowns to thongs and a T-shirt. By the end of the night, us girls stuck together and danced together like one big family. It was definitely a night to remember for all of us and definitely a start of many life long friendships.

About to leave for the Dinner dance

Arrival at the Orchard Country Club

Festive friends greet us!

Delegates mingle and new friends are made

THIMUN Day Two

Day 4 Singapore

Day Two THIMUN

Dear Friends,

It was another stimulating day at THIMUN. The students will share the details of their respective experiences but here are some pictures.

Preparation Meeting

Vicki delivered an outstanding address in the General Assembly. Here she waits her turn to address the delegates.

Vicki calmly adjusted the microphone before commencing her speech. So poised and confident - well done Vicki!

Some pictures of Hwa Chong Institute -

 ECOSOC - Economic and Social Council

Emily and Vinita hard at work

Catching up with everyone's news while waiting for the bus to take us back to the hotel.



Evening Outing

In the evening myself, Edwina, Joie, Selina, Izzy, Emily and Vicki headed back to Garden By the Bay to visit the Conservatories. 

Gardens By the Bay

The Super Trees and the Cloud Forest

Due to time factors we were unable to get in to the Flower Dome but we had a thorough and relaxed visit in the the Cloud Forest Conservatory. How stunning it was! It is a 35-metre tall 'mountain' covered in lush vegetation surrounding the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. The force and energy of the water was wonderful.

The girls feel the power of the waterfall!

35 Metre Waterfall

We went up by lift then descended via two walkways - the view of the canopy and the city beyond the dome was breathtaking - literally! I don't have a fear of heights but on these walk ways it really felt like we were walking (very high up!) through the air. 

Looking up to the walkway

The view beyond the dome was equally stunning

A waterfall of flowers and plants - so beautiful

Via an excellent film and model display we learnt about the unique biodiversity of cloud forests and the environmental threats our planet will face over the next one hundred years. The conservatories are completely sustainable capturing solar energy and serving as exhausts while supporting the vegetation. The parks and gardens provide discarded plant matter as fuel for a biomass furnace that provides energy to cool the air in both conservatories. It was inspiring to see how it all works together so harmoniously.

After the blissful journey through the Cloud Forest we made our way via a walk along the water to Satay on the Bay. There was an array of different eateries and it was difficult to choose between the delicious food types on display. As well as the food there was fresh fruit juices custom made on the spot - very refreshing! After our meal we jumped on a free bus service back to the MRT train which whooshed us back to Orchard Road and 'home'. What a great night!

Everyone agreed the Cloud Forest Conservatory and dinner at Satay on the Bay was a highlight of our Singapore trip.

It will be a big day tomorrow - Day Three of THUMAN and the Dinner and Dance in the evening.

Selina feeling the wonder of the Falls!