Students from across the country visit city sixth form for debate.
Last weekend, Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College welcomed over 100 students from across the country for one of the largest Model United Nations Conference in the UK. Now in its eleventh year, the event brings together the next generation of leaders and social changers in a discussion forum parallel to the United Nations conference. The event also welcomed special guests including Liberal Democrat politician and member of the House of Lords, Susan Garden.
Over the course of the weekend, the students came together to debate issues, develop compromises, practice public speaking skills and debate resolutions controversial topics and global issues. Susan Garden, Baroness Garden of Frognal, officially opened the conference before students went on to debate key issues affecting today’s youth, including ‘The Future of the Falkland Islands and ‘Climate Change’.
Originally the first event of its kind in the UK, Joseph Chamberlain’s MUN conference maintains its status as the largest in the country; aiming to increase global awareness amongst young people.MUN has a long pedigree with over 400 conferences taking part worldwide, and Joseph Chamberlain being the first institution to offer MUN exclusively for Sixth Form College students.
Although just a mock event, MUN is not to be underestimated as UN Secretary-Generals agree to take MUN resolutions to full United Nations meetings in New York and Geneva. It’s no coincidence that US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, former World Court Justice Stephen M Schwebel, Samuel Jackson and Chelsea Clinton, were all involved in Model United Nations in their youth.
Speaking about the MUN conference, Principal Tony Day, comments: “It is so amazing to see over 100 students come together to be part this year’s MUN conference. Young people’s impact on communities has never been so strong and their contributions can play a huge role in finding the solution to many global issues.
“Our Model United Nations Conference has spearheaded the way for events of its kind in the UK; giving students the freedom to explore global issues and the confidence to engage in debate. I’m so happy that we are able to provide a platform for students to understand the structure of debates and put their skills into practise.”
