International relations have been the focus for students at Penrith’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.
Following the success of a new Model United Nations lunchtime club, a group of students in year 12 attended a weekend conference at Manchester High School for Girls.
Model United Nations, or MUN, is a simulation of the real United Nations, where students debate global issues as delegates representing UN member states.
According to the United Nations’ website, many of today’s leaders in law, government, business and the arts participated in MUN as students.
Some 250 delegates attended the conference, most from schools across the North West.
QEGS’ team was tasked with representing Turkey and fielded delegates to meetings including the World Health Organisation, Human Rights Council and Disarmament Committee, where they had the opportunity to submit resolutions and amendments to other delegates’ resolutions, and debate a range of issues..
Eleanor Henderson, who is studying A-levels in politics, history and geography, submitted a resolution to the political committee regarding the provision of incentives for smaller countries to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Her resolution was passed, with amendments. Eleanor won the award for Most Improved Delegate at the end of the conference with judges seeing her confidence in addressing the committee and argue the issues grow throughout the weekend.
She said: “I joined MUN because I like debating and it links in with my politics and history A-levels. It felt really good when my resolution passed, I’d put in a lot of work and research to understand the issues that Turkey is facing and how they might vote or react to different country’s ideas.”
Cameron Cowan, who is studying for A-levels in maths, chemistry and biology, said: “I got involved with MUN because it was something new and interesting. I wanted to see how it worked and I could combine my interest in science with MUN by being part of the model World Health Organisation.
“I’ve learned how the UN works and I’ve improved my communications and public speaking skills. You have to really think about what you’re saying. It’s hard to think about what the point is that you want to make and then to work out how to get your point across effectively.”
Languages teacher Liz Terry is the driving force behind MUN at QEGS. Encouraged by the success of the club, she plans to take students to another conference later this year.
Ms Terry was inspired to start the club by former head student, James Lennon, who said it was an opportunity he wished had been available to him during his time at the school.
She said: “The conference was an incredible opportunity for our students to learn about world politics, to gain skills in debating and in public speaking.
“They now know more than I do about MUN and I hope we can harness their enthusiasm and knowledge to expand the club. I’d love to see us run our own MUN conference in school.”
