BUGMUN 2017: A real gala affair

BRAC University Global Model United Nations (BUGMUN) 2017, hosted by the International Association for Business Communicators (IBAC) of BRAC University and powered by Bashundhara Paper Mills Limited, took place from December 27 to 31, 2017. BUGMUN is one of the most prestigious and anticipated MUNs in Bangladesh. This is because it is the only university level residential MUN in Bangladesh that provides  engaging and electrifying socials and high quality conferences well managed by its dedicated organisers who work day and night to make the event a success.

This year's edition was not any different as it has been able to encapsulate all the essence in it which goes to make BUGMUN the best Model United Nation conference in the country.

The event was inaugurated on December 27, 2017 by Syed Akib Hossain, the secretary general of BUGMUN 2017. The opening ceremony took place at the Army Golf Garden and hosted more than 250 delegates. The event was attended by 24 highly talented executive board members, Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, vice chancellor of BRAC University, Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam and Dr Salehuddin Ahmed of BRAC Business School, AM Sakil Faizullah, communications manager at UNICEF Children's Fund and Md Delwar Hossain, head of HR and admin, Bashundhara Paper Mills Limited. All the guests shared their invaluable insights and experiences with the delegates.

"BUGMUN is the MUN platform where different individuals from all over the country are brought under the same roof to debate and formulate solutions on the matters of peace and equality, through our theme, 'Conforming to egalitarianism: Provisions for consolidated global prosperity ensured heated debate and discussion with fruitful resolutions,'' said Syed Akib Hosssain, secretary general of BUGMUN 2017.

The event was spread over the period of five days and four nights. After the opening ceremony, the delegates and the executive board members were taken to the BRAC University residential campus at Savar where the conference took place. The conference this year included 12 different committees such as SAARC, UNSC, UNPBC, ECOFIN, UN Women, UNHCR, UNHRC, WHO, IP, DISEC, SPECPOL and FIFA. On the first day all the delegates were introduced to the committees and the agendas of the committees in the opening plenary session. After the session, the delegates were given individual mentoring and workshop with their respective executive board members who briefed them more about the conference, its theme and agendas.

Day two was quite hectic with delegates running around early morning trying to get to committee sessions. "BUGMUN '17 scrutinised this year's Delegate and Executive Board pool very precisely to provide right balance between learning and grooming the future diplomats," said Mahia Ashraf, chairperson of WHO, BUGMUN 2017. After the committee session a short friendly Futsal Tournament was held, played by the member of the committees, which was largely enjoyed by all the delegates. By nightfall the stage was well set for some of the best artists of the country to perform in the BUGMUN concert. The band show was performed by the groups such as Shunno, Avoid Rafa and a few amateur bands. The concert ended with a mesmerising performance from Shunno which made the crowd get up on their feet, dancing to some of their hit tunes.

Day three brought in an air of buzz all around the campus with the social night,‘Ignite’- a night full of fun and entertainment for the delegates.

Most of the delegates and organisers alike were found trying to prepare their performance on every break of time they got. During the committee sessions, International Press, a committee of BUGMUN, took the liberty to conduct press conferences to gather knowledge on the progress being made by each of the committee towards their agendas. Finally as night beckoned, all the delegates made their way to the stage and they entertained everyone with various types of performance ranging from singing, dancing, recitations, rap and much more. "It is all in one MUN experience,"said Ahnaf Tahmid, chairperson of UNHCR, BUGMUN 2017. The night ended with some stellar performance by the organisers, leaving the crowd asking for more.

Day four brought with it the final day of committee sessions and the formal end to the event. The first two committee sessions resulted in draft resolutions being collected, which was then presented at the closing plenary where the delegates voted for it. The delegates quickly got ready for the final event of the night starting with fireworks which lit up the dusky winter sky. This was followed by the closing ceremony of the event, the lakeside dinner and finally the gala. The gala was one of the most awaited socials of BUGMUN where the DJ rolled back the years by playing one after another hit songs as the delegates danced all around the ground till the midnight before they returned to their dorms. "Bangladesh holds a very special place for me and every experience at BUGMUN surpassed my expectations and I am sure to visit Bangladesh many more times," said Farhana Khatoon, an Indian and vice president of SC, BUGMUN 2017.

On day five, it was time for all the delegates to leave the campus. After breakfast all the delegates gathered their luggage and boarded the busses which dropped them to Mohakhali campus of BRAC University, bringing the end of BUGMUN 2017.

"The success of an event lies on the satisfaction and achievement of the participants and so BUGMUN 2017 is a huge success as all of the participants met their expectations and were satisfied with the hospitality and facilities provided to them by the secretariat," said Syed Akib Hossain, secretary general of BUGMUN 2017. It was an emotional moment as the delegates boarded the bus saying farewell to their new-found friends making promises to each other to meet again soon.

The writer is a third-year student of BBA programme at BRAC University. He can be reached at [email protected]