Personal Development Programme (PDP) Mentoring Scheme
At Leiden MUN, personal development is key. Therefore, Leiden MUN offers a unique ‘Personal Development Programme’ (PDP), that no other organisation in the Netherlands offers. Throughout the Preparatory Track, you will be individually mentored by an experienced and skilled Board Member. The PDP contributes to your personal growth as an MUN participant, and, more importantly, as a young professional. While the PDP sessions also focus on enhancing your MUN-skills, the main goal of the mentoring is to guide our students through an individual learning process. In the past, Leiden MUN has successfully mentored hundreds of students in their personal development. Together, we strive to transform our delegates into confident, proactive, and entrepreneurial individuals who are the best versions of themselves. Hence, at Leiden MUN, personal development is the aim and the MUN conferences provide the means to achieve these goals.
During your first PDP session, your personally-assigned mentor will discuss which skills you want to improve upon. Typically, our experienced Board Members coach you on a range of topics, including but certainly not limited to:
Establishing a Career Skill Set
The Personal Development Programme is an excellent opportunity to further develop the skills acquired throughout the weekly Mock Sessions in a more individually tailored setting. Skills - ranging from fostering successful working under pressure to time management - are worked upon in the PDP sessions through identifying and discussing the skillsets you wish to advance, as well as through utilising practical exercises to advance these skills. Examples of time management training may include learning when and how to prioritise tasks such as country policy research, lobbying and the writing of Draft Resolutions.
This is particularly pragmatic for delegates who wish to explore careers in politics, diplomacy and policy making, but is equally valuable for any careers prospects.
Team Leadership
Being able to lead and be a valuable part of a team is a crucial skill to develop. PDP sessions will teach delegates to be confident in their abilities to lead a bloc of countries in committee sessions and take the initiative to direct their blocs to success. For instance, nurturing one’s confidence in public speaking abilities is often worked upon in the PDP setting by practicing voice projection, speaking spontaneously and body language. Whilst the weekly Skills Labs teach the essentials of these skills, our unique PDP sessions allow delegates to further advance what they have learnt. Moreover, learning to assert one’s opinion in a clear yet diplomatic manner and being able to communicate this eloquently is an integral expertise to being a successful Model United Nations delegate and professional.
Confidence
Many of our delegates (including now Board Members!) initially joined us because they struggled with self-confidence when it comes to public speaking in particular. The PDP mentoring scheme is an ideal time to tackle these worries in a less intimidating setting. Your PDP will guide you in exercises to advance your skills which can help resolves feelings of inadequacy. Moreover, the PDP sessions are a great chance to discuss your fears and insecurities with someone who understands and has been in your very shoes. A large portion of our delegates cite the PDP programme as a transformative experience alongside the Prep Track for self-belief and confidence. Come join us and try it out yourself!