KiiTIS MUN 2022 was one of the largest school-level congregations in eastern India, post-Covid, with 700-plus delegates from across Odisha and beyond attending. The event held at KiiT Campus 9 in Bhubaneshwar began on August 20 with a grand opening ceremony, graced by the governor of Odisha, Ganeshi Lal; MP (Kandhamal) and founder of KiiT and KISS Institutions, Achyuta Samanta; chairperson KiiT International School, Monalisa Bal; Odisha head of UNDP Abha Mishra, and principal, KiiT International School, Sanjay Suar.
Nine committees and an International Press worked diligently towards addressing the catastrophes endangering the sustainable existence of mankind. The conference, organised in collaboration with the UNHCR Refugee Challenge, was themed around the Refugee Crisis and the same was discussed across committees.
With over 130 and 110 delegates respectively, UNGA DISEC and UNEA were the largest committees to convene. These two were the only committees that permitted double delegations, which was the practice of having two delegates represent one country. Each of the other committees had an average of 50-60 delegates while the smallest committee, NSC, had around 20 delegates. The IP had over a dozen journalists with a substantial number of reporters and photographers.
The Executive Board panel with their distinguished members, steered their respective committees towards a holistic deliberation on their respective agendas, providing them inputs from time to time based on their experience and wisdom.
The host the different committees neatly arranged benches with placards of each of the members. An army of volunteers were on the run, delivering chits amongst the delegates and to and from the executive board members and delegates. There were endless questions, fiery rebuttals and a flood of chits, all recorded by the reporters in their laptops and the photographers in the DSLRs.
The resolutions and working papers drafted, critically appraised by the chairs, were fine documents that reflected the efforts invested by all the committee members. As a UNIC for India and Bhutan and UNHRC MUN Refugee Challenge recognised conference, all the documentation goes directly to the UN for review and consideration by the UN Secretariat.
The MUN wasn’t all work and no play! Post the conclusion of the formalities, each committee had its own entertainment session with activities ranging from singing and mimicry to submission and reading out of anonymous chits. After two days of relentless brainstorming, the entertainment session served as a breeze of relief.
The closing ceremony witnessed the awarding of positions to the delegates and the felicitation of the executive board members, who collectively worked towards the success of the conference.
When it all seemed to subside, there was yet another flurry of jubilation. Prominent rapper Rohit Kumar Chaudhary, popularly known as RCR, came down all the way to the city of temples to join hands with DJ Mack in performing a scintillating, electrifying concert that had the whole audience swaying.
(L-R) Chairperson KiiT International School, Monalisa Bal; Odisha head of UNDP, Abha Mishra; principal, KiiT International School, Sanjay Suar; governor of Odisha Ganeshi Lal; MP of Kandhamal and founder of KiiT & KISS Institutions, Achyuta Samanta
The classes were packed with delegates getting ready to speak
The participants took part in the different committees
The committees
UNGA-DISEC (United Nations General Assembly): Pritiman Mishra (chairperson), Omkaar Pattanayak (vice-chairperson) and Baisakhi Priyadarshini (rapporteur)
UNSC (United Nations Security Council): Shohan Swaastik Mohapatra (president) and Purushraj Patnaik (vice-president)
ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council): Girija Shankar Sarangi (chairperson) and Tatsat Pati (vice-chairperson)
UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council): Arya Kumar Senapati (president), Anmol Kumar Pattnaik (vice president) and Sadichha Bal (executive director)
UNW (United Nations Women): Soumen Amlan (chairperson) and Shrusti Nanda (vice-chairperson)
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees): Sankalp Udgata (high commissioner) and Aratrika Adhikari (deputy high commisioner)
ECOFIN (Economic and Financial Affairs Council): Urvansh Saraf (chairperson) and Arindom Roy (vice-chairperson)
NSC (National Security Council): Vedant Ratha (moderator and crisis director)
UNEA (United Nations Environment Assembly): Avyakh Mishra (chairperson), Jangyadutta Rath (vice-chairperson) and Jigeesha Bhanja (rapporteur)
IP (International Press): Abhilash Dali and Ujjwal Nayak (photographer-in-chief), Anurag Dwibhashyam (international press chief) and Suryadeep Nanda (deputy international press chief)