Why Model UN is close to my heart
My name is Zvika Losh, 29 years old, originally from Hod HaSharon. I’ll be starting my third year as a student at Ben Gurion University, majoring in Politics and Governance alongside European and African Social Studies. This coming year will be my third at BGUMUN, where I will have the honor of being its Chairman.
Since its inception in 2013, BGUMUN has established itself as one of the leading societies in the Israeli Model UN Circuit. We have hosted two massively successful conferences, breaking records along the way. Our delegations have taken part in numerous conferences both in Israel and abroad where, thanks to their passion, dedication and hard work, our students have collected awards and endless praise. BGUMUNers have proven themselves to be highly professional, animated and tenacious while embodying the easy-going fun spirit that BGU is so famous for.
For me, BGUMUN is so much more than just another extra-curricular activity. Over the past two years, the society has become a second home, shared with a family made up of diverse yet like minded individuals, who accept each other with all our quirks and quarks. Every week, we put aside our personal views and step into the shoes of interest driven nation-states, navigating the choppy seas that make up the complex international arena. This unique organization has introduced me to people who have become some of my closest friends and given me a general sense of what I would like to do in life.
The past twelve months have been action-packed, to say the least, and on a personal level, a source of great pride. In my capacity as Co-President and a firm believer of leading by example, I played a significant part in influencing the Society’s direction. I took the lead on multiple projects including the coordination of the Society’s recruitment campaign, managing the marketing and technological aspects of the Society and heading the delegation to EuroMUN 2016 among others. Outside the Society, I participated in seven national and international conferences, twice being on the Secretariat, while on the national level, I was part of several IMUNA subcommittees tasked with solving some of the major issues the Circuit is facing.
In recent months, after much thought and reflection on the lessons of the passing year, I’ve worked diligently on creating a new framework that will hopefully lay the infrastructure for the Society to flourish in the coming years. The result is a working plan that includes an overhaul of the Society’s structure and hierarchy, that will streamline its workflow and enable the empowerment & personal development of its members. Most importantly, it lays the foundation for the continuity of members in the Society, which is key to creating a successful society as our Alumni, who in my opinion are our most important asset. I envision BGUMUN as a tiered leadership program that offers students participating in Model UN the opportunity to take an active role in the Society. This, by instilling a sense of responsibility and commitment from their first year in the program as head delegates and dedicated project managers. Second year Alumni will assume the roles of Office Directors and Coordinators, each specializing in a different aspect of the Society, while re-investing their invaluable knowledge and experience as chairs and academic advisors at conferences and simulations. Students continuing into their third year will lead the Society and its activities, namely managing and directing a National or hopefully International Conference.
I am a strong believer in the potential that Model UN has to offer. It’s a learning experience where students acquire valuable skills and tools that will help them throughout their lives. However that is only the tip of the iceberg, as this platform is an incredible stepping stone onto larger endeavors. MUNers from all over the country who have dedicated themselves and climbed the ranks of their respective societies, have been able to leverage their experience to obtain coveted positions in the diplomatic world such as the United Nations, the Israeli Foreign Service and many others.
In conclusion, I truly believe that this framework will help both the Society and more importantly its members grow. Ben Gurion University is known for having a lively and spirited student body who are each others family away from home and there is no better example than BGUMUN. I would like to thank you for your support and hope that you will join me on this endeavor.
