Model UN Conference

On the weekend of 5^th - 6^th March, Canford took seven pupils representing two delegations, Somalia and Laos, to the annual Magdalen College School Model United Nations Conference. Model United Nations (MUN) is a student-led simulation of the real United Nations. Each school taking part represents a different country, and Canfordians took part in a series of debates on topics ranging from the question of genetic engineering in vector control, to the inflation crisis is Venezuela, to establishing democracy in Eritrea. Conferences such as this offer an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the key international issues of the day within a lively and focused environment. 

The conference got off to an inspirational start with a speech from Sveto Mukammed Ishoq, an Afghan women’s rights activist and Afghanistan’s first Schwarzman Scholar. Day One focused on debates within committees and our Canford delegates put themselves very much at the forefront of proposing and challenging amendments and passing resolutions. This culminated in Day Two with a meeting of the overall General Assembly where delegations then work together to deal with an emergency crisis, which in this case was the Israel-Palestine tensions. 

Naomi Ings, Head of Global Connections at Canford said "We were delighted to come away with a clean sweep of individual awards as well as the best overall delegation which, out of 47 delegations, was awarded to Somalia. This was a fantastic weekend where pupils came away with new friends, strengthened confidence, and a more in-depth and nuanced understanding of international issues and the skills required to negotiate through these often-challenging territories. Rarely has the timing of an MUN conference seemed more apt, and the crucial lessons of international co-operation, compassion, and mutual respect were evident throughout the conference." 

List of Awards 

Somalia - Best Delegation - Agatha, Amelie, Adaya, Lara and Sophia 

Politics 1 - Commended - Agatha

Politics 2 - Commended - Leo 

Environment and Health 2 - Commended - Sarah

Environment and Health 2 - Highly Commended - Amelie

Economic and Social - Commended - Adaya 

Human Rights 2 - Best Junior Delegate - Lara 

International Court of Justice - Best Junior Judge - Sophia