Two of our secondary students, Sofia and Annika from Year 9, attended a Model United Nations conference at the end of January. What was it like? In their own words, they reflect on their experience ...
At the end of January, we attended a Model United Nations conference in Prague organised by the Park Lane International School. At the conference, students pretend to be delegates from nations world-wide and learn diplomacy, simulate United Nations committees, and attempt to solve pressing global issues.. Beforehand, we had to prepare by studying the issues and writing position papers - we had to do a lot of research before we could even go to the conference!
On Thursday morning, we crossed the Charles Bridge and went to the New City Hall, where the General Assembly was held. We received our nametags and sat down in our assigned seats.
We listened to the opening speeches which were held by a multitude of people who organised the event, and an exclusive speech by the British Ambassador to the Czech Republic, His Excellency Matt Field. He gave a very mesmerising speech about what it means to be an ambassador. After lunch, we listened to the opening speeches of the Security Council, who fought hard to defend their claims and opinions.
When we finished, it was time for icebreaker activities with our committees! Sofia went with her committee, 32 delegates from the World Health Organisation, to play billiards, which allowed her to bond with other delegates and make alliances with Morocco, Palestine, and Iraq before the debating even started! Annika went with the Environmental Assembly, which consisted of 15 people, to a café in the Prague Old Town Square. There she got to know the members of her committee and became friends with China, Mexico, and the USA.
On Friday and Saturday we debated in our committees. We both gave our opening speeches, asked many questions and made motions. By the end of Saturday, Sofia was a signatory for one resolution and a co-submitter for another presented in her committee, while Annika was a co-submitter for one resolution and main submitter for another. That was a success!
On Sunday, we attended the last General Assembly, where we listened and voted on resolutions presented by the committees. Annika made speeches in front of the whole General Assembly! Can you imagine the whole New City Hall staring at you? Afterwards, we had the closing ceremony where the certificates were given out to the best delegates and the chairs of all committees gave their speeches.
Overall, this was a spectacular experience which we will take with us wherever we go. We enjoyed it immensely and hope to go again.The experience that we are taking from this will echo in later life and maybe we might even attend a real UN conference and shape the world’s future into one where no one will get left behind.
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