Model United Nations

Our MUNers represented IHS in the the first conference of the year recently. Model United Nations is a mock simulation of the United Nations – it is engaged with worldwide, providing pupils with an opportunity to look at real problems and discuss real solutions. Each conference, different schools are allocated different countries to represent (this year, IHS was allocated Israel, Pakistan, Syria and Nigeria.) Pupils are assigned a particular country and they conduct extensive research into that country. They will need to adopt their countries views on any of the topics that are discussed at conference, defending them where necessary. This can be challenging, particularly if their country’s views on a particular issue conflict with their own personal views.

Here are three pupils summary of their experience at the MUN this year:

Esther K: Last weekend, I was one of the seventeen IHS students who got to attend the MUN conference at Alleyn’s school in London. This was my first experience conferencing and I represented Pakistan for the World Health Organisation. The questions being debated on my committee were ensuring medical care in conflict settings and reproductive rights, specifically access to abortion and contraception. These were challenging topics both to research and discuss, especially when arguing for a country whose perspective differs so vastly from my own. It raised questions that were difficult to engage with, such as whether attempting to legalise abortion internationally imposes on a country’s religious freedoms. It also gave me a fantastic chance to improve my public speaking skills and further my knowledge of international relations.

Eniko S: Last Saturday, we participated in the Alleyn’s MUN conference where I was lucky enough to get my resolution debated and passed in the morning. I was in the Special Political and Decolonisation committee where the debates were interesting and of high standard throughout the day. Aside from the debating, I had the opportunity to meet many people with a passion for diplomacy and conferencing, and the environment in which it was set was constructive and welcoming. I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to practise my public speaking in a thought- provoking and intriguing manner.

Fay W: For the Alleyn’s Model UN conference at the weekend, I represented Israel, which was both challenging and incredibly complex. However, I really enjoyed it and felt that I went out of my comfort zone to voice an opinion that differed to my own. At this conference we discussed difficult topics such as the crisis in Sudan and Neo-colonialism. It was interesting to find out other countries’ views and how to talk about difficult subjects in a politically correct manner. MUN has really improved my public speaking and improved my ability to quickly think on my feet. MUN is a very worthwhile and interesting enrichment to do, and one I would 100% recommend.
All pupils excelled at the MUN this year and one of the highlights was hearing from SherardCowper-Coles, the former British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Well done to all who participated.