Framlinghamian 2022 - Flipbook - Page 22
ACADEMIC MATTERS
MODEL UN
The Model United Nations (MUN) is an
international debating competition in which
participants take the role as ‘delegates’
of a given country and debate global
political issues from the perspective of that
country. For the 2018 MUNISH conference
at The International School of The Hague
in Holland, where there were over 1,200
students from all around the world, we
were given Côte d’Ivoire to represent. We
chose different councils/committees to
debate a range of issues.
•N
iall Pearson-Shaul debated in the
Security Council
• Zaylie Mills debated in the Environment
Commission
• Harry Rowland debated in the General
1st Committee and was also Ambassador
• Maggie Mikovi debated in the Special
Conference 2
• Philip Lewellen debated in the Security
Council
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THE FRAMLINGHAMIAN 2019
The issues we debated included: the
political situation in Syria; implementing
measures to prevent state-sponsored
terrorism; tackling the opioid epidemic;
the question of asymmetrical warfare, and
examining measures to protect endangered
species. On a typical day, we would have
debating time which was structured into two
parts: lobbying and session. A session is a
formal debate while during lobbying you
meet and find delegates with similar ideas
to support your resolutions and policies.
I was in the Security Council, which tends
to be for more experienced delegates, but
everyone there was very supportive and
helped me find my feet so I could become
an active part of the debates.
After a long day of fascinating debates
there was also a range of activities in
the evenings. On the first night, our host
family took us out and showed us round
The Hague, and on the second night there
was the MUNISH party which was great
fun. One of the best things about MUN is
the range of amazing people you meet.
I have kept in contact with students I met
at the conference who come from many
different countries, such as Russia, Turkey
and Zambia.
While participating at MUN you stay with a
host family. My host family (who had moved
from Russia to Holland) were extremely
welcoming to Niall and me. We had
amazing conversations with them, such as,
what it was like living in the Soviet Union
leading up to 1991, as well as enjoying
a delicious range of homecooked local
Dutch and Russian dishes.
I could not recommend MUN more
highly; in my opinion, it is one of the
best opportunities within the school’s
enrichment programme. It really helps to
develop participants’ public speaking skills
and knowledge of global issues, as well as
their overall confidence as a person, with
the chance to make lasting international
friendships.
PHILIP LEWELLEN
YEAR 13