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More than 450 students from London and abroad participated in this year's Global Classrooms London Model United Nations Conference, acting out the role of diplomats grappling with real-life global issues. Held at International Maritime Organization, this two-day event marked the third occasion that this academic exercise has been held at IMO Headquarters, and the fourteenth conference organised by Mulberry Model United Nations programme (MMUN) in London.
This year's conference consisted of ten ‘UN committees’ focusing on climate change. The purpose was to mirror the COP17 event simultaneously taking place in Durban, South Africa. While trying to draft and adopt a resolution advancing CO2 mitigation, students gained a better understanding of the issues involved and were able to sharpen the debating and negotiation skills that are crucial in international diplomacy.
“I am hoping to get out some key skills like listening and putting your views across” said Tomer Raphael from London.
“The art of negotiation and diplomacy can be learned through Model UN and the ability not only to voice your opinion but to persuade someone else to agree with you which is very difficult can be developed here and it allowed me to improve that” said Sumayyah Tasnim, the conference Secretary General, a year 13 student from Mulberry School for Girls, London.
“It gave me the chance to develop my speaking skills and learn how to debate and voice my opinion in a diplomatic manner” said a participant, attending the conference from Bahrain.
Other topics ranged from global food and water security to partnerships for climate refugees and also included a Security Council simulation with ‘hot topics’, including the situation in the Arctic.
The Conference concluded with the committees presenting their resolutions during the MMUN General Assembly and a closing ceremony where delegates demonstrating excellent diplomatic, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, were recognised with committee awards.
Background
The Global Classrooms London programme, is organised by Mulberry School for Girls, Whitechapel, in London which offers UN simulations to students from state schools across the UK.. The programme is part of the international Global Classrooms network, coordinated by the UNA USA and the United Nations Foundation, active in 24 major cities around the world.