News15th January 2014
Pupils from nine ARK secondary schools became diplomats for the day when they took part in the second Model United Nations (MUN) conference hosted by on 13 December. They participated in a day of debate, diplomacy and resolution around the theme of 鈥楶rotecting Our Future: Preparing for the Threats of Climate Change.’ Delegates researched and prepared position papers in advance and proved to be adept at representing the interests of their allocated United Nations country or committee. Reuben, a year 10 pupil from commented: 鈥淚鈥檝e learned how debating works, what other country鈥檚 opinions are and how people can interpret different ideas.”
Stand up for what鈥檚 right
All schools did well but excelled by winning seven out of 13 awards, including 鈥淥verall Best Contributing School.” King Solomon and also received awards for 鈥楤est Delegates鈥 and and King Solomon also received prizes for 鈥楤est Position Papers鈥. Alice Evans, a student, who represented DPRK (North Korea) said: 鈥淚 believe the Model United Nations teaches you to speak up, express views and stand up for what鈥檚 right鈥. She enjoyed mixing with other ARK schools stating: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 feel there are any barriers between us.鈥
It gives you of vision of what鈥檚 happening in the world
The conference allowed delegates to explore and analyse a situation affecting unfamiliar people in different settings. 鈥淚t gives you a vision of what鈥檚 happening in the world. I enjoyed representing Russia,鈥 said Bethanie, year 7 from Evelyn Grace. The event gave students the chance to work in leadership roles, as teams in alliances and working parties and guide students with less MUN experience. It helped to develop communication skills and build self-confidence. 鈥淚鈥檓 a quiet and reserved person, so it鈥檚 taken me out of my comfort zone, talking to people that I haven鈥檛 met before, it鈥檚 a confidence boost,鈥 said Reece, year 12, Walworth 鈥 delegate of South Africa.
For more information about the Model United Nations or other ARK Schools enrichment programmes, please contact sarah.gregory@arkonline.org.