On Friday 11th March, our Year 11 and Lower Sixth students participated in an engaging virtual Model United Nations conference organised by St George's British International School Rome. The BGS students reflected on the experience.

Kiki Adams (Year 11): “During the MUN conference, I was the Canadian delegate on the UNHCR committee discussing displacement due to climate change. It was a great opportunity and even though it was my first time experiencing something like this, I didn’t feel out of place at all as many of the other delegates were beginners like me. I think that it was a great way to boost my confidence in public speaking and it was also great fun as the heads (Chairs) of the committees put polls together to help us to get to know each other better. I think that this has been one of the most eye opening and enjoyable experiences the school has provided.”

Ella Allen (Year 11): “At the conference, I was also part of the UNHCR committee representing Ireland. I think it was a very rewarding and enjoyable experience and will definitely take the opportunity to do another one if possible. I felt that it was a really good way to practise public speaking and the chairs were really helpful and nice. It was my first conference but I didn't feel uncomfortable or out of place. Overall, I found it to be a useful and educational experience and I really enjoyed debating clauses and speeches and the research I did before the conference was very interesting.”

Manal Husain (Year 11): “I was a delegate in the online MUN Conference and was in the UNHCR representing Bangladesh. I found it amazing once again even though I was just as scared as the first time. I have learned different speaking and confidence techniques while also having fun debating with other delegates my age. I was confronted with disagreements which I was able to respond to rationally. The atmosphere of the debate was very inviting and encouraged everyone to ask questions and state their opinions. I learned so much more this time round and am so excited to do it again.”

Hanifah Miah (Year 11): “I was the delegate for Ethiopia in the special summit of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) discussing the food related insecurities of many vulnerable countries. Representing Ethiopia allowed me to gain a substantial insight into the contributing factors which result in food shortages and the impact that they have. It was highly enlightening and enriching to indulge in other countries’ histories and situations. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and think MUN is a perfect environment to develop many useful life skills.”