Model UN pupils attended MUNCH23 at Cheadle Hulme School in Manchester representing Jordan with over 200 delegates from across the UK. 

The conference opened with keynote speaker Amy Dunning, former pupil of Cheadle Hulme. Amy spoke about the importance of involving indigenous communities in the wider discussion of climate change, arguing for the protection of diversity, culture and recognising the importance of oral history in these communities. 

Amy studied Spanish at Cambridge and is currently working in Finland. She took the opportunity to remind us of the importance of Model UN and the pivotal role MUN played in developing her key skills in debate. She left the pupils with a call for action on climate change and not to underestimate grassroots involvement in campaigns. 

The six pupils, James (S6), Kirsteen (S5), Moha (S4), Katrina (S4), Tanish (S4) and Naira (S4) debated a variety of issues from access to healthcare in refugee camps, mental health and stress in education to the right to strike and the role of journalism during conflict. The delegates worked hard all weekend, submitting resolutions and amendments in the hope of producing a solution for the issue posed across their committees. One particular highlight was the declaration of the conference opening with a flag ceremony welcoming each delegation to the floor. 

The pupils enjoyed the debate and perhaps more importantly in the spirit of MUN made some new friends. Naira was Commended for her role in the Special Committee on Media and Katrina received a Special Mention for her role in the Science Committee having her resolution chosen for debate. 

Mrs Willetts, Model UN Coordinator shared: “I’m always very proud of the pupils when I take them away for a MUN Conference, they represent the school with the highest of standards and I am always blown away by their knowledge of current geopolitical events.” 

“This conference was the largest they’ve attended since our return from Covid and they handled this with decorum and professionalism, furthering their skills in debate and discussion, well done!”