NTU MUN 2009: Opening Ceremony

Hello ducks, one and all! I am finally back from NTU MUN 2009 and I really wish the entire society could have been there, whether as a delegate, part of the press corp or as an observer. Rest assured, you can take part in the next one next year, what with it being an annual event. You needn't sign up under a University or institution either. So do keep a heads up for it. One thing to look forward to next year: the guest speaker would be a nobel prize winner from the UN. So that's good.

First up was the Opening Ceremony. After registrations at the Nanyang Executive Centre (NEC) where we would be living in throughout the entire time, we were transported to where Lecture 1A was. The Opening Ceremony was held there, along with dinner that followed the event.

Delegates and Press and committee members settling down.
That lady in the centre is Meena.
She's the Press Director.

Delegates familiarizing themselves with each other as we await the arrival of the guest-of-honour.

Mr Paul Madden, British High Commissioner to Singapore.

Having worked in the UN before, he gave a short autobiography, to inspire the hopefuls and potentials that sat in the crowd, that they too could be like him.

Mr Geoffrey Yu, Senior Specialist Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He touched on an issue that was to be discussed by the Security Council. The Security Council has been seen as almost futile a branch of the UN. What then can they do to rescue themselves from becoming obsolete?

Dr Yeo Lay Hwee,
Associate Director of the European Union Centre.

Dr Yeo touched on the Issue of Immigration, a topic that would be addressed by the European Union. More specifically, she addressed the issue of Mass Asian migration to European States.

Prof. Rohan Gunaratna,
Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.
Touching on the topic of Global Terrorism, that would be tackled by the General Assembly throughout the course of the two days of council sessions, Prof. Gunaratna was passionate in suggesting methods to curb terrorism, and eventually, remove it.

And that was the report on Day 1: Opening Ceremony of NTU MUN 2009. The ceremony ended with a buffet spread for dinner. Unfortunately, NTU MUN has always been notorious for it's buffet spreads that were never suitable for human consumption. So, as I left the newbies to partake in the biggest shock of their lives, I had subway. That's the kind of food they have at Canteen 2A of NTU. Subway, Canadian Pizza, Mcdonalds and Sakae Sushi.