The 28th iteration of UBCMUN 2020 has so far been one of the most memorable moments at UBC for myself. It was a proud moment to be apart of UBC's MUNSA's strong delegation (Model United Nations Student Association) and for my own performance in the UN Security.
The topic the Security Council set the agenda to was the "Situation in Cypress". The goal was to create a lasting solution for the UN's oldest peacekeeping mission (nearly 60 years). Despite nearly a dozen crises concerning Cyprus, the Council was able to react swiftly and reply in kind with strong yet diplomatic responses, with the delegate of the French Republic at the helm (myself). Crises ranged from the killing of German tourists from motar shelling originating from Turkik ultra-nationlists, to the mobilization of NATO and adversarial Turkik military battalions. Throughout the conference, France was able to call upon time tested alliances and forge new ones in order to utilize collective responses for countering threats facing the Security Council. As the delegate of France, I was able to lead and draft directives, press releases, and resolutions with its Council Members. Due to France's unique position in the world, these responses included forming a joint European Union address among the Council Members, a Permanent-5 Member display of solidarity, and a NATO deescalation diplomatic response in the face of hot military tensions.
Despite sizzling tensions at times, the Security Council Members' incredible work, remarkable cooperation, innovative policy solutions, and swift crisis responses, was able to result in the Council achieving success.
What does it mean to be a leader? A manager or someone in a position of power ensures that others know they are important. A true leader ensures that others know that they are important. Taking this key lesson, as a delegate, I was able to build continuous rapport with other delegates and ensure that their voices are heard. By elevating the voices of others, you effectively raise your own by the number you help raise. This posture and support building effectively helped me as a delegate to lead by informal consensus which then allowed me the opportunity to steer the Council's direction, and offer decisiveness when it was needed. More importantly, there would be at times conflict among members, and I focused what it was delegates needed from each other, bloc to bloc, and that was where France played a vital diplomatic role. As a leader by informal consensus, a geo-politics grand strategizer, and a broker of peace, France was able to achieve new heights of diplomacy and leadership. This would not have been possible without learning from previous challenges and failures at NWMUN2019.
To be recognized for my growth since then, and as well as what I was able to do with others at UBCMUN was the biggest highlight of my experience at UBC so far.