SIS seeks Rotary’s help for Korea conference this month

Students of Saipan International School’s Model United Nations Club has sought the help of the Rotary Club of Saipan for funding that would allow them to attend a conference in South Korea.

This early, the Rotary is reportedly inclined to donate some funds to the student group but the amount will be discussed with the Rotary board first.

The student made a pitch for donations at the club’s regular Tuesday meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan Giovanni’s restaurant last Feb. 4.

The members of the SIS MUN club have raised over $6,000 but need a grand total of $23,640 that will be used for the students’ and advisers’ flights, hotel, and meals when they attend the sixth annual Global Education City Model United Nations conference at the Jeju Shinhwa Landing Convention Center in South Korea, from Feb. 14 to Feb. 15.

Brian Clayton, the Rotary’s community service director, said that they will most likely support the SIS students but they will have to talk it over with the board how much they would give.

The GECMUN conference encourages students from every region of the world to act as a diplomat and participate in a simulated session of the United Nation general assembly and other multicultural bodies in the UN system. It also encourages diversity by giving students from different countries an opportunity to participate in the simulation exercises.

The students, many of whom have attended the conference in previous years, believe the experience teaches them many things outside the classroom.

“It [GECMUN] gives me the experience about political conferences because there aren’t many competitions [on island] that I can benefit from,” said Andrea No, who is the SIS MUN club vice president.

Allan Lee, who is treasurer of the SIS MUN club, said he personally dislikes speaking in public. “I enjoy math rather than speaking. So, I decided for this to be a new experience. What I learned from going there is that it’s actually pretty fun and eye-opening to see how other people have opinions and how, by working together, each person’s uniqueness can form one complete answer to a problem,” he said.

“I personally learned more not only just about teamwork and working together with other people from different places, but we got to learn more about what’s going on now in the world,” said Sally Lai, who is secretary of the SIS MUN club.

So far, the club has already gotten the support of Saipan International School, TanHoldings, First Hawaiian Bank, Chung Gi Wa, Godfather’s Bar, IT&E, E-Land Group, and Atkins Kroll. They said the Rotary Club of Saipan was also one of their supporters last year.