Debate or dress-up?

From mun.org:
"You should participate in Model U.N. because it promotes student and teacher interest in international relations and related subjects, increases the capacity for students to engage in problem solving, teaches aspects of conflict resolution, research skills, and communication skills, and creates the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends."
"For over 50 years now, teachers and students have benefited from and enjoyed this interactive learning experience. It not only involves young people in the study and discussion of global issues, but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives, such as research, writing, public speaking, problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution and compromise and cooperation."

The past year I have taken part several MUN conferences during which I have learned alot about international relations and different cultures around the world. I have (almost) overcome my fear of public speaking and I have practised my debating skills. A bit. I've met many people, and some of them have become great friends. I have learned how to do proper research and write a resolution. I have discovered the effects of alcohol on certain friends.

Most of all, I found out how much I like to get all dressed up.

Tomorrow is the first day of MUNISH, which will be my first conference where I will not be a delegate. I applied for Press back in May with a letter of motivation full of bullshit, and surprisingly got the job. Okay, it wasn't bullshit, but I did a lot of intense self-praising. It worked though, and I was accepted. Lotte was also accepted a few days later - without even writing the official letter of motivation. Gasp.
In one of the emails that our Heads of Press sent, they asked for ideas for a name for the paper and ideas for articles. I brainstormed for a split second, and then decided I'd leave it up to them.

Tomorrow morning we have to be at a Press briefing at 11.30. We were told this only a few hours ago. Great planning, I must say. I'll be there though, with Lotte, because I don't want to miss a thing. :]

Anyway. Back to the beginning of the post. Those quotes suggest an educational aspect to MUN. They suggest that a conference is a learning experience. They suggest that MUN is a place where you can practise your researching, public speaking and debating skills.

I'm sure it's all true. I just find it funny how everybody does always know where the Saturday night party is, yet nobody knows the capital city of the country they're representing. And also how I spend plenty of time thinking about which clothes I will steal from my mom to wear at the conference, and spend hardly any time thinking about what type of articles I want to write.

Ah, the joys of MUN.