[New York Times] UNHRC - Digital Addiction at the EuroMUN

On Sunday afternoon, our journalist decided to report on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), expecting tense debates on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. However, while the delegates were passionately engaged – speeches flying, placards raised – the chairs barely raised their eyes from their phones, fingers glued to their screens like two grown-up iPad kids

Our journalist stayed for almost thirty minutes. In most of that time, the chairs barely looked up, even during a Consultation of the Whole. They only started engaging with the delegates when the latter requested explanations to write draft resolutions. One delegate, visibly disappointed, confided: “they’ve been on their phones a lot, which seems very disengaged. As a beginner delegate, you look for their approval.”

Perhaps there’s a top-secret diplomatic reason for the chairs’ sudden obsession with their screens. But if not, it is a real shame for all delegates in the room that digital dependency is taking away from giving beginner delegates an experience which will make them want to do MUNs again.

Our source did note a lot of improvement compared to Saturday, which frankly only raises more questions… But who knows, maybe tomorrow they will let go of their screens for longer than 5 consecutive minutes. At this rate, maybe EuroMUN should consider installing parental controls on the chairs’ phones – or at least a “do not disturb while moderating” setting.