Binus University International Relations Students’ Achievement in a Model United Nations in the Philippines
Noto and friends took a picture in front of the UST building complex
On March 2 to 4, 2016, four Bina Nusantara International Relations University students, e.g. Thomas Noto Suoneto, Ivan Gunawan, Alvin Ernesto, and Theodora, participated in a competition of Model United Nations (MUN), a simulation of sessions of the United Nations, which was held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila, the Philippines. In this occasion, Noto represented the United States at the session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC; the UN Security Council), Ivan represented Kuwait at the session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA; the UN General Assembly), Alvin represented Portugal at the session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; the United Nations Economic and Social Council), while Theodora represented Romania at the session of the United Nations Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Noto and others made several achievements in this MUN. During the gala dinner on the last day of the competition, It was announced that Noto achieved the Best Position Paper at the UNSC session, Alvin won the Best Delegate at the ECOSOC session, and Ivan received a Superlative award namely the Best Dress Award at the UNGA. Not only that, they also introduced Indonesian culture during the MUN competition. During the the Cultural Night on the first day, they got a chance to perform “Yamko Rambe Yamko”, a folk song from the Papua Province, “Tanah Airku” by Ibu Sud, and “Indonesia Pusaka” by Ismail Marzuki.
According to Noto and his friends, they are grateful to be able to participate in the UST MUN because they could get more friends and knowledge. Since nearly 90% UST MUN participants were local students, they made many Philippine friends and connection. Additionally, by participating in the Philippines-based MUN, they also gained international experience and a chance to compete with foreign people, so they could participate in the name of the state.
Noto dkk. berfoto dengan diplomat senior dari Filipina, Dr. Jesus ‘Gary’ Domingo (tengah) dan para Faculty Staff UST dalam Opening Ceremony di Auditorium UST
Pada 2 – 4 Maret 2016, empat orang mahasiswa/i Hubungan Internasional Universitas Bina Nusantara, yaitu Thomas Noto Suoneto, Ivan Gunawan, Alvin Ernesto, dan Theodora, mengikuti ajang kompetisi Model United Nations (MUN), atau simulasi sidang PBB, yang diselenggarakan di University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila, Filipina. Dalam UST MUN ini, Noto mewakili Amerika Serikat di sidang United Nations Security Council (UNSC; Dewan Keamanan PBB), Ivan mewakili Kuwait di sidang United Nations General Assembly (UNGA; Majelis Umum PBB), Alvin mewakili Portugal di sidang United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; Dewan Ekonomi dan Sosial PBB), sedangkan Theodora mewakili Rumania di sidang United Nations Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO; Organisasi Pendidikan, Keilmuan, dan Kebudayaan PBB).
Noto dkk. berhasil meraih prestasi dalam UST MUN ini. Pada Gala Dinner hari terakhir, diumumkan bahwa Noto berhasil mendapatkan Best Position Paper di UNSC, Alvin meraih Best Delegate di ECOSOC, dan Ivan mendapatkan Superlative Awards yaitu Best Dress Award di UNGA. Akan tetapi, tidak hanya prestasi dalam ajang kompetisinya saja, mereka pun memperkenalkan budaya Indonesia dalam UST MUN ini. Pada saat Cultural Night di hari pertama, mereka mendapat kesempatan untuk membawakan “Yamko Rambe Yamko”, lagu daerah asal Provinsi Papua, “Tanah Airku” oleh Ibu Sud, dan “Indonesia Pusaka” oleh Ismail Marzuki.
Menurut Noto dkk., mereka bersyukur dapat mengikuti UST MUN karena semakin banyak mendapatkan teman dan wawasan. Karena hampir 90% peserta UST MUN adalah mahasiswa lokal, mereka mendapatkan banyak teman dan koneksi orang-orang Filipina. Selain itu, dengan mengikuti MUN di Filipina ini mereka juga mendapatkan pengalaman internasional dan kesempatan untuk berkompetisi dengan orang-orang asing, sehingga dapat turut serta dalam mengharumkan nama bangsa.
