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Schools in attendance at the MUN Conference were:

Cranford | Priorsfield | Reading | Blue Coat | Stowe | Gordon’s | Beaconsfield | Harris Academy

The Marist | Reigate Grammar | Tormead | Blenheim High School

The Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational model of the United Nations where students

learn about diplomacy and international relations. At a MUN Conference, each student works as a

representative of a country, organisation, or person and seeks to solve a problem with other

delegates from around the world.

In terms of personal development MUN is a great way for students to improve their confidence in

public speaking, oracy and ability to effectively communicate. It is also a great way to meet other

students from other schools.

Blenheim students joined with over 10 other schools to attend a two-day MUN conference at

Gordon’s school last weekend. They represented Germany on the Disarmament & International

Security Committee (ISEC) and the Environment and Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committees

(SOCHUM) and then represented Uruguay on the Disarmament & International Security

Committee (DISEC), Environment and Special Political & Decolonisation Committees (SPECPOL). In

preparation they researched the position of their respective countries on the topics under

discussion. The committees discussed a huge range of topics as you can see listed below.

The conference opened with an address from the chair, where students were encouraged to be

brave and propose resolutions, suggest amendments and be prepared to engage and take

questions. Committee work then began. Mrs Kirkham and I were delighted to visit committees

and see Blenheim students speaking from the front, working with delegates from other schools

and getting stuck in to debate and discussion.

A lively quiz and pizza evening ended Saturday’s events. However, our delegations were back at

school by 8am on Sunday to begin day two of negotiations.

Blenheim students presented and debated a resolution which got passed and argued

successfully for 10 amendments to other resolutions. All of our students spoke at the General

Assembly in front of a whole sports hall full of delegates!

We are so proud of our students who demonstrated strong research and debating skills through

a complex and challenging range of topics. They confidently worked with students from other

schools and will benefit enormously from this experience.

If you’d like to find out more about Model United Nations please contact Mrs Benson at

Benson@blenheim.surrey.sch.uk.

Topics Discussed

Disarmament & International Security Committee (DISEC)

• The question of Crimea and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• The question of the eradication of terrorist training facilities.
• The question of piracy in the South China Sea.

Special Political & Decolonisation Committee (SPECPOL)

• The question of protection of former national identity.
• The question of sanctions on developing nations.
• The question of Uyghur Muslim genocide in China.

Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committee (SOCHUM)

• The question of providing adequate (mental) healthcare to prisoners.
• The question of equality between sexes in education.
• The question of using AI in roles of doctors and nurses.

Environment

• The question of advancing development in Antarctica.
• The question of measures to prevent illegal fishing in international waters.
• The question of tackling light pollution.