Malaysia Model ASEAN Meeting (MYMAM) is a platform that enables youths to learn about the fundamentals of ASEAN and its decision-making process effectively. It also encourages the creation of a peaceful community and tolerance towards different values and cultural backgrounds. The purpose of the simulation is also to promote youths to think critically and allow them to understand the whole policy making process. Through the simulation, the youths representing different ASEAN Member States interact and learn to negotiate and cooperate with each other in order to achieve a consensus. The theme for Malaysia Model ASEAN Meeting (MYMAM) 2021 is Charting Courses. It was held virtually through Zoom for three consecutive days, 26-28 March 2021, and the main organisers for this event are ALSA UKM, ALSA Malaysia and ASEAN Foundation.
There were 50 participants across ASEAN mainly Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Vietnam who joined the competition. I was assigned to be in Team 1002 representing Myanmar throughout the competition.
Alongside with the other 4 team members coming from Malaysia and Brunei, we were given two days of training with our trainer, Mr Naufal who specialised in ASEAN meetings and conferences.
I was tasked to represent Myanmar for one of the three ASEAN pillars, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), which mainly discussed issues on ensuring the security of children in ASEAN. All delegates competed individually in providing and justifying the best solution for all the issues mentioned. Prior to the simulation dates, I have to prepare a position paper on Myanmar’s stance and provide possible solutions to ensure the security of their children specifically on three main issues that include child maltreatment, proper protection systems and education in this pandemic. At first, I was quite confused on how to write the paper but with the help from my trainer, Mr Naufal and also my senior from IMU, Nabila Nasharuddin who both guided me very well until the end, it took me a week to complete the paper.
It took me that long to complete the paper as there were a lot of amendments and suggestions given by them to ensure my position paper is solid enough to catch the judges’ attention. I am very grateful to have them as my mentors in this competition.
| Winning Awards at the Conference |
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| Fortunately, I was chosen as The Most Diplomatic Delegate for ASCC Pillar for the three-day conference. This award is given to a delegate who gives meaningful contributions, possesses excellent diplomacy, debating and negotiation skills, and shows a high understanding of local and international policies. At the same time, my group was awarded two group awards which were the Best Position Paper given to the group that has outstanding position papers across all the three pillars and Best Delegation given to the group with the most excellent performance throughout the conference. |
At first, I was very doubtful of my capabilities to win such awards since it was my first time joining such a competition. I have met a lot of other great participants from other groups who also contribute a lot throughout the conference. They have joined similar competitions before, making the conference more competitive. However, I am very thankful to have met them as they have taught me a lot of skills and techniques that are useful to be used in the discussions that we had across the three days.
This experience has certainly helped me to improve my debating and negotiation skills, understand further the local and foreign policies and the importance of ASEAN members cooperation in resolving global issues across the region. It has also further enhanced my public speaking and diplomacy skills and lastly, I was able to network with other delegates across ASEAN. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me throughout the conference. I hope that in the future, I could mentor and assist my friends and juniors who are interested to join and contribute in similar competitions.
Written by Raja Nur Shahkeerah Binti Raja Kamarul Zaman, IMU Medical Student
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