Queen’s College played host to its fourth Model United Nations Conference on Monday, which saw a day full of debating and discussion amongst Queen’s pupils and students from other schools.
Year Nine students from Castle School, Courtfields and Kingsmead School, were all welcomed to Queen’s for the event. The event was a great success; involving over 100 students from the different schools.
Model United Nations is a recreation of the United Nations in terms of the format, organisation and issues discussed; with the aim of improving students’ debating and negotiation skills, as well as developing their understanding of current global issues. Throughout the day, students were given the task of representing a variety of different countries and debating a range of different topics from their assigned country’s point of view; encouraging the students to not only understand significant global subjects, but also empathise with nations from across the globe.
The main topic of debate addressed issues of Iraq and the government fighting ISIS. With students proposing actions and consequently challenging their peers, such subject matters resulted in all pupils becoming hugely passionate about what they were discussing; with the majority of concerns highlighting human rights issues.
The event resulted in a school buzzing with excitement and enthusiasm; finally concluding in a General Assembly where delegates came together to debate and interact with all of their fellow students; a chance to share such passionate views with all peers. Concluding the conference was Queen’s College teacher and organiser, Nick O’Donnell, who awarded the grand prize to China for best delegation.
Said Queen’s College Headmaster, Chris Alcock: “Queen’s College takes great pride in hosting the Model United Nations and the event is terrific for both the pupils and staff who take part. The event provides pupils the opportunity to interact with pupils from other schools and develop important life skills”.