Patricia Febi Widia Nugrahani, an eleventh-grade student, has earned accolades in a model UN competition she participated in. She received the "Honorable Mention of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women" award in the Online Distancing Model United Nation 3.0 competition held on November 14-15, 2020, and the Best Delegate Crisis Committee award in the TogetherMUN 1.0 competition on November 27-28, 2020.
Model United Nations, commonly known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation or academic activity where students learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN teaches research skills, public speaking, negotiation, writing, and document drafting. It also fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership. While typically extracurricular, some schools offer MUN as a class. (Source: Wikipedia)
Participants in Model United Nations conferences act as delegates, placed in committees and assigned roles representing countries or, at times, other organizations or political figures. They receive assignments beforehand and, along with their committees, discuss agreed-upon topics. Delegates research and develop positions before the conference, engaging in debates with fellow delegates. The best delegate in each committee is sometimes honored at the end of the conference. (Source: Wikipedia)
In the competition, Patricia represented several countries, including Japan, Tanzania, and Romania. Joining MUN presented unique challenges for Patricia. "There were various challenges, both before and during MUN itself. Prior to MUN, I had to conduct research on the assigned topic, understand my country's position based on local laws, and be familiar with actions taken within that country or relevant international actions," Patricia explained.
"Research was crucial for composing a 'position paper,' an essay expressing the country's stance and proposing innovative solutions. On the day of MUN, research was also invaluable for constructing speeches and engaging in debates," she added. Patricia also found it quite demanding to employ formal English during discussions.
"While I sometimes communicate with friends and family in English, it's never been in the formal and diplomatic style, so I had to learn this aspect. The biggest challenge, in my opinion, was overcoming self-doubt. I had never won an English speech or debate competition before, and many delegates already possessed experience and a strong foundation in speech and debate. Nevertheless, I always believed that I should never envy other delegates, but rather, learn from them, with the hope of applying their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses to avoid making the same mistakes," she expressed.
During this occasion, the Head of Pradita Dirgantara High School, Dr. Yulianto Hadi. M.M., also conveyed his admiration for Patricia's accomplishments. "One of the Seven Survival Skills instilled by the school is communication. It is essential for students to effectively convey their thoughts and opinions. The Model United Nations event serves as a platform to develop students' communication abilities, particularly in discussing and reaching agreements on global issues. Additionally, students must possess proficient research skills, as what they present must be grounded in data," Mr. Yuli emphasized.
He further noted that the school's program, which grants full scholarships to its students, has been devised to facilitate skill development in line with the Seven Survival Skills. This includes communication, encompassing public speaking through the "Speech" program, where students take turns delivering speeches in English each day prior to the morning assembly. "I hope that this achievement can serve as motivation for Patricia and other students to continue to innovate, develop themselves, and forge ahead!" he concluded. (Oscar/PR/Pradita Dirgantara High School)
