Kingswood Hosts 32nd Model United Nations Conference

Kingswood recently hosted the 32nd Bath International Schools’ Model United Nations conference.

Approximately 300 students took part, representing 66 member states of the UN in two days of debate on a range of issues facing the global community today, including Artificial Intelligence, LGBT rights, the Israel Palestine dispute, climate change and China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The conference began with an Opening Ceremony which saw two powerful speeches from Kingswood students. Eloise, Secretary General for this year’s conference, addressed the delegates, speaking eloquently about the role of MUN in shaping her own personal journey as well as the importance of international cooperation when faced with crises such as the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. One of our pupils then gave a very personal and heartfelt speech about what has happened in his homeland of Ukraine over the past year, reminding everyone present that the issues they were about to debate were all too real.

The Opening Ceremony was followed by a period of lobbying, during which delegates sought to build support for their resolutions. Saturday saw a day of committee based debates on the issues on the conference agenda, before the conference climaxed on the Sunday with the always popular emergency scenarios, where delegates are asked to respond to an unexpected international crisis; this year these ranged from a crisis in the Straits of Taiwan to an Israeli air strike against Iranian nuclear installations.

Well done to the Kingswood students who represented New Zealand and Malawi over the course of the weekend, and in particular to Tom and Oscar, who were both commended for their work in the Political Committee. Thanks to Mr Francis and his technical team for all their support in making the event happen, to the Press and Admin teams, and also to the Catering Department and the Friends of Kingswood who helped us to offer such a warm welcome to our guests.

Special mention should be made of the 40 Kingswood sixth formers who served as chairs of the committees, on whose efforts the success of the conference rested. All rose to the challenge of taking charge of their committees magnificently, showing exceptional organisational skills as well as great maturity in dealing with a variety of sometimes difficult situations.

The visiting teachers were full of praise for their professionalism and warm and welcoming manner. A huge thanks to Mr Woodgate for running the event, and to Mrs Davies and Mr Newbould for their help and support in the run up to the conference and throughout the conference weekend, without which the event would not have been such a success.