As students gather in their designated classrooms, the sessions are well underway. Every year, committees usually start the day off by discussing more playful, unserious topics – a common one being vanilla or chocolate ice cream – as a way for students to get comfortable with the procedures of a formal debate and warm up. These so-called “ice-breakers” are (supposedly) aimed at making students engaged and excited about the day and debates to come.
In previous years, these warm up debates have been the traditional way of starting up, however this year things seem to be slightly different. While there are certainly still some committees who have had a round of “ice-breaker” discussions, there is a lesser number than usual.
Annalena C., who is a SISMUN Organisation Committee Member as well as a chair for DISEC 3 (Disarmament and International Security), informed us that the primary reason for why they chose not to do a practice debate before starting for-real is due to the new structure of MUN this year. The school has altered the requirements for the committees; now they must complete clause-by-clause resolutions which takes up much more time. Therefore, to be able to execute the most enjoyable part of the day – moderated caucus (formal debate) – the introduction section was cut out. The same was done for UNEP committees 1, 4 and 6.
Not all chairs chose to disregard “ice-breakers”. Charles A., who is a chair in UNEP (UN Environment Programme) 2, told a Quirky Quibbler reporter that they had a discussion of whether Hawaiian pizza is acceptable or not. Did it help? “No”, followed by a second “no” and “actually I do.” He says that while the opening speeches have just concluded, he can sense the beginning of an eventful day of discussion and resolution-writing.
In DISEC committee 7, pineapple’s acceptance of pizza was also disputed. The room seems to be on fire on a day that students usually sleep through.
While those who went through the informal starters got students to engage, the result was almost identical for those who did not. It seems the ice has been broken in other ways – maybe the chairs are better leaders this year, sparking positive change in the world – whereas other leaders seem to be lacking this ability… Room 315 has had well-written opening speeches and a fiery back-and-forth between delegates, all before morning break. Annalena C. says that “everyone’s been participating quite well”, which is wonderful to hear this early on. Johnjohn and Igor, the chairs of UNEP committee 1, seem joyous rather than exhausted – which is a good sign for the long day ahead. With the session so far being “good”, they are happy with the way students are participating so far, even without having done an “ice-breaker” debate before.
Is the trend of dreary debates at SISMUN dying? The participation could be increased, and some classrooms are awkwardly silent, but it seems like the students who are engaging are glad to be doing so and bring the feeling of real UN panels to Norra Latin.
Now what do you think? Is pineapple an infestation on the beloved Italian dish?
