More than 400 students took part in the 34th annual Model United Nations conference last week, held at Kingswood School in Bath.
Students taking part in the annual conference | Photo © Kingswood School
The event saw students drawn from schools across the city and the wider country, and for this year, the conference also welcomed a group from Mexico.
The delegates represented over sixty member states of the United Nations in a series of debates on some of the major issues facing the international community, including the conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, the challenges presented by climate change, and the rights of women and LGBTQ people.
The students had to represent accurately the views of the countries they were assigned, as well as show a mastery of the issues under discussion.
Craig Woodgate, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Few activities can rival the value of MUN. Not only did students have to grapple with some of the big issues facing the world today, but they also had to engage in debate from the point of view of a country whose views may have been very different from their own.
“They also developed a range of valuable skills, from public speaking and research to teamwork and consensus building.
“To watch over 400 students from thirty schools engaging enthusiastically with the issues on our agenda was immensely impressive, and showed that today’s young people were eager to have their say at a time of immense uncertainty in global affairs.”
Kingswood student, Gala Marrack, this year’s Conference Secretary General, said: “BISMUN was an incredible opportunity for both delegates and chairs to experience what it was like to be part of a global challenge bigger than themselves.
“This year, it was great to see so many delegates grow in confidence over the weekend, and I found all their debates very thought-provoking.
“I loved how there was such an exciting buzz in the air as everyone was so enthusiastic about getting involved.”
