“War has brought inflation even to the graveyard”

Just as Manto (who I’ve quoted) felt intense agony at the state of his country, we too are in a moment of history where the world seems stranger and more convoluted by every second. The quote has an interesting dimension: Manto explains how the problems of the world can never be neatly divided into economic (inflation), political (war) and personal (death). They almost always collide against each other and create newer and more unique problems. How then, do we even begin thinking about these issues, let alone solving them? A Model UN Conference is a good start. It provides you with vocabulary to think about the complexity of the issues facing us. By enlisting an arsenal of legal terminology, rhetorical tools and research methods, MUN conferences give you the wherewithal to imagine how geopolitical policy-making gets done. Furthermore, the conference will bend your perceptions of geopolitics by making you step into the shoes of another country, and by extension, another identity, forcing you to break away from preconceived notions about the world.

Walking away from a conference with an award isn’t the difficult part at all; the real difficulty lies in walking away from the conference with a sense of hope and resolve in the face of a cynical and harsh world. Truly appreciating the committee rests in forming lasting and meaningful connections with fellow delegates too. From personal experience, I can tell you that VMUN has been the source of many of my most adored friendships, and surely will be for you too. For context, I’m an undergraduate student in Sonepat, although Bangalore is where my home and heart is. I’ve been active in the Bangalore MUN Circuit, having served as Director General and Chairperson for some of Bangalore’s biggest conferences. My experience with VIBGYOR MUN is similarly substantial, I’ve worked with the conference since 2021 and can attest to it being one of the finest and best-developed conferences in the world. The Organising Committee, Secretariat and Executive Board comprise some of the most hard-working individuals you’ll ever meet.

With such a talented team to guide you, remember to do yourself (and the world around you) justice. We are privileged to have a voice and a platform like VIBGYOR MUN, unlike many silenced voices across the globe (including, for example, the children of Gaza or the Dalit population of our own country). Make sure you use your voice carefully and powerfully.

Regards
Omkar Mantri
Chair
The Global South