What do you enjoy most about Model U.N. competition? By far the most fulfilling moment in Model U.N. is the euphoria and applause after passing a good resolution. All the rhetoric, all the positioning, all the disparaging remarks, all the conflicts, in the end the tougher the debate has been, the more satisfying the result. When students can feel comradeship and fulfillment after hours and days of opposition, that is truly a great moment.
Least? It's somewhat ironic, but the worst aspect of Model U.N. competition is often the competition itself. A productive, co-operative debate can easily be ruined by bounty hunting model U.N.ers who will go to any lengths to get an award. Of course, some people might argue that the true international scene too is an example of survival of the fittest.
How did you get started in this activity? I was interested in politics already by the time I walked into high school. In those first few awkward, disoriented weeks I needed some prodding from my parents to join the Model U.N. club at Sir Winston Churchill S.S.. That prodding is probably one of the only cases where I have come to appreciate being induced to do anything. When I won first place in my first debate, I knew that I wanted to continue, and have never looked back.
Describe the funniest (or most embarrassing) thing that's happened to you in MUN's. (You may include dubious distinction awards) At INMUN 1999, I was representing Sweden in the Commission on Human rights when I witnessed the funniest moment in my Model U.N. career. An unnamed delegate from the Netherlands had been criticizing the Chinese human rights record. The Chinese quickly fired back a blistering salvo to the delegate from the Netherlands about their terrible cases of child pornography. The rather indignant Netherlands delegate requested (unintentionally) that the Chinese furnish some examples of child pornography to prove the existence of any problem! Laughter and applause broke out among the committee, and when she realized what she had said, extreme embarrassment set in, and the China-Netherlands war was over.
What is your career goal? My ambition is to become a Federal Cabinet Minister. However, I have a suspicion of career politicians, so in the meantime I'll be practicing international law.
Name a Canadian politician (or your country if not Canadian) that you admire & explain why. Lester B. Pearson is a politician most deserving of admiration. It would be difficult for any other to beat Pearson's Nobel Peace Prize as an indicator of the man's vision and integrity. He solved the Suez Crisis by introducing the concept of UN peacekeeping - a turning point in the history of the twentieth century. Millions of people are indebted to Pearson's insight, as the victimized, teeming masses protected from their violators by the thin lines of "blue helmets" will attest.
Who will win the next U.S. election? Just wait until a politician with the verve to introduce universal health care comes along. Then we'll have an election.