On 24th – 26th January eight intrepid Year 12 students headed to the Model United Nations Conference to participate in their first experience of a full weekend at a Model United Nations conference. As the delegates for Iran and Argentina, our students spent the weekend on the human rights, economic and social, political and special committees which involved being thrown in at the deep end with pupils from other schools as far away as Paris and the UAE. MUN conferences are the culmination of weeks of work for the delegates who have to research their country’s views on a range of topics and prepare resolutions for debate.
The conference kicked off with a truly inspiring keynote speech from journalist Alex Cadier. He gave students insight into the importance and urgency of good journalism and the role journalism plays in today’s world. His speech was a highlight of the conference for many of our students who commented that learning about Alex’s work showed the importance of being well informed and able to understand global issues from different perspectives which is, of course, what MUN is all about.
MUN Conferences offer students the opportunity to engage in an academically rigorous activity where they must research a position, think on their feet and respond to questions in character. Students are on a steep learning curve as they learn about how the United Nations functions, the correct way of speaking in the debates – for instance, you refer to yourself in the third person as “the delegate” – and how to get strangers on your side quickly as you try to get your resolution passed. Many of our students commented how much more comfortable it can feel to defend an allocated position that seems unreasonable than to talk about your own ideas.
The conference was very busy with packed committee rooms and a buzzing general assembly; all our students said how much they enjoyed meeting and working with pupils from other schools who share their interest in international affairs and conflict resolution. Like the RGS Conference pupils had participated in last term, it was pupil led with the support of “runners” from further down the LEH and Hampton communities. The support and encouragement seasoned “MUNers” show newbies is one of the most inspiring aspects of conferences. Although debates are fierce, students show real kindness and camaraderie in helping others to get the most out of the conferences. The pride we feel in our students’ passion, eagerness to learn, willingness to put themselves out there and openness to other people is wonderful and a real highlight of being part of the Surbiton High School community. All our students did a brilliant job at LEH MUN and could not have been more of a credit to the school. Many thanks to Mr Blake, Mrs Suthers and Miss McNabb for their support over the weekend.
Written by Mrs Gladwyn and Ms Modi
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