In its third run in 2014, I took part in the Youth Model ASEAN Conference (YMAC) as a Committee Chair and: 1) Co-chaired discussions during Committees-in-Session; 2) Researched and wrote the Education Committee's information sheet; and 3) Ensured the well-being of local and ASEAN delegates.
 |
| The Education Committee of YMAC 2014 |
 |
| More informal discussion sessions were held during caucus. |
 |
| Formal Committees-in-Session according to United Nations Model's protocol. |
 |
| The Education Committee's social contribution activity, hosting a Christmas party for children. |
 |
| The Education Committee's booth, presenting one of its solutions for the Closing Ceremony. |
 |
| Day 4, the Committee after signing the declaration. |
The Youth Model ASEAN Conference (YMAC) is a simulation of the multilateral conference of ASEAN. The participants of YMAC includes students from all 5 of Singapore's Polytechnics, Universities and Polytechnics in the ASEAN member states. In its third run in 2014, I took part in the event as a Committee Chair whose role was to facilitate the debates during Committees in Session.
The take away points from the 4-Day conference as a Committee Chair are not so much a novel lesson but more on the fine-tuning and reinforcement of preparation, consistency (before and during a session), and reacting more appropriately and spontaneously to situations. Of course, as with each new experience, a new question puzzles me about the amount of support required for English Language Learners.
On a personal level as well, I believe YMAC has been rather rewarding in me getting a chance to know more people. There is no denying that all this could not have been possible with the team of Committee Chairs, who supported me when I needed the most help, and to the chance of having such a dynamic group of delegates.
[Yong Xiang] listened actively to the delegates, paying attention to their needs and blind-spots, negotiating and challenging their ideas to improve on them, and consolidating every contribution from his participants for the drafting of the final declaration.
Wong Hong Yi (Faculty Advisor, YMAC 2014)
Appendices
(1) An introductory information sheet that was compiled by my partner, Glen Chua. It may be accessed here.
(2) The 4-days culminated into a declaration that was signed by participants from all ASEAN states. The full version is available here.
