Start Getting Excited for SANMUN 2019!
After gaining nationwide recognition and being renowned as the gold standard as for how an MUN conference should be run, dedicated IB students from Sandefjord VGS and our very own Nesbru VGS, are once again in the works and at it this year, collaborating to organize the 16th annual SANMUN conference!
Last year, the weekend long event was situated here at Nesbru Videregående Skole, which means that this year’s conference will be hosted by Sandefjord Videregående Skole!
To get more insight, and perhaps acquire some inside information on this year’s conference, the self-proclaimed best journalist in all of Nesbru, has taken the courtesy of further investigating, by interviewing Nesbru’s current MUN president Markus Fjeldstad Reve.
We asked him a couple of questions:
So, SANMUN 2019. Firstly, how would you describe this conference to anyone who is oblivious to MUN conferences such as this one?
“First off, if you have attended SANMUN before, this time around, it will be very different from you are used to - not structurally, but because your mindset will have to be forward-thinking and innovative.
Now, if you have never joined what I feel is Norway's best MUN conference, you have chosen the best time to participate for the first time. SANMUN is all about sharing ideas though collaboration, and this year, that will be more important than ever. We have really distilled what SANMUN is all about and amplified it to cultivate the best experience for every delegate, chair and staff alike.
SANMUN feels like both an arena for development, debate and resolution (no pun intended), but also a meeting place for like-minded people to connect and enjoy the whole experience together. SANMUN is like a really good video game: its really fun alone, but it's even better when you get to share it with lots of other people who love the same thing as you do.”
Last year’s SANMUN was expertly organised, and meticulously executed, in part thanks to the hard work and dedication from last year’s 3IB. How do you think this conference will compare and what are your expectations for this conference?
“This year, a lot of the administrative tasks are on Sandefjord VGS, but I have no doubt that they will do a fantastic job. Last year's conference went very smooth from a delegate's point of view, and that is what we strive to achieve when the conference kicks off! We are still in the stages of planning, but so far, we are ahead of schedule, and I think you'll really notice that we've been actively working on this for months once you attend the conference.
As I mentioned earlier, I expect this conference to be both unique and refined: we have taken the best bits of SANMUN and combined it with forward-thinking and refinements to make it the best version of itself.”
How do you feel about this year’s topics, and why do you feel that these issues in particular need to be discussed?
“When I went with the SANMUN Chairs from Nesbru to brainstorm with Sandefjord VGS, we quickly settled with "Future-proofing the world", or "Future" for short, and I think that really encompasses what we want to convey. Finding original and relevant issues is one of the utmost important things we do in the SANMUN Executive Committee, and I think we've really nailed it on the head this time around. The reason why future-proofing the world is so important somewhat self-explanatory, if you think about it: as technology and innovation continues to progress, society has to keep up, and that is not the easiest thing. Keeping solutions, legislations and mindsets up-to-date - or even ahead of its time - is an essential part of being ready for what the future holds for us. Moreover, discussing the future in such a manner gives delegates a unique way of shaping resolutions about issues that can become a challenge in the future: since some of these issues we have chosen are ahead of their time, delegates will get an opportunity to think of new solutions rather than getting stuck on that same path that some resolutions' fate points towards.”
And finally, for those who are not yet convinced that this is something they would dedicate their weekend to, would you like to say anything to promote this conference? Why should everyone attend this conference, and what promises can you make?
“I know Netflix is fun, okay? But listen, Stranger Things will be there next weekend too - SANMUN is a once-in-a-year experience! In all seriousness, however, I really do think SANMUN is worth every second invested into it, and it's such an important and fun event for everyone that you shouldn't miss it for the world.
I am not going to promise much, because part of the magic is the surprise element - it's all about thinking on your feet to make the best out of every situation. I can say, however, that SANMUN this year will be one of the highlights of the year for so many people: delegates, chairs and admin staff alike. This year is all about the future and innovation, and we hope to bring innovation to SANMUN to make it a great experience for everyone. It doesn't matter if you're just getting started, or if you're a true veteran - SANMUN is for everyone, and I really think that everyone can develop on a personal level and benefit greatly.
I would recommend everyone to have a look at the SANMUN website to get inspired! There you can read about all the issues, our wonderful chairs, and the admin staff that make sure everything runs smoothly so you can have the time of your lives.
I am super excited to see you all there!”