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Posted on March 16th 2023
HAB Attends Edinburgh 'Model United Nations' Conference
Year 13 students travelled to Edinburgh recently to attend ScotMUN, Scotland’s Model United Nations conference, which took place at the University of Edinburgh from 10-12 March 2023.
Model United Nations brings together students from around the world to simulate real UN committees and discussions, with students representing different countries, taking part in debates and forming resolutions.
HAB has already taken part in conferences in Prague and the Netherlands, for example, as well as hosting our own mini Model United Nations conference for younger students. But we were the first Harris Federation school ever to attend the Scotland MUN, with our Year 13 HAB Model United Nations team preparing for the event for several months.
"The conference was much more fast-paced and high-level than previous conferences, but it gave us a really good chance to develop our debating and negotiating skills," said Amina. Students had to debate in committees such as the Human Rights Council, the Security Council, the Environment Programme and the WHO - and draft resolutions with other high school and university students.
MUN conferences always start with a prestigious opening ceremony. But this one was special because it was addressed by the Mexican Ambassador to Qatar, Graciela Gómez (pictured below). "She described gender bias in diplomatic work and how sometimes fellow diplomats made assumptions about who she was based on the fact that she was a mother, or the way she dressed," said Kandia. "She urged all the women in the room to never allow such prejudices to interfere with their work and to never compromise any part of themselves to conform to the ideal held by the men in the room. I found it to be the perfect motivator before the conference and it gave me so much inspiration to go into the debate with purpose".
Mexican Ambassador to Qatar, Graciela Gómez, addresses the opening ceremony, talking about gender bias in the workplace.
Students had to debate in committees such as the Human Rights Council, the Security Council, the Environment Programme and the WHO - and draft resolutions with other high school and university students.
As the conference took place in Edinburgh, the students were also able to explore the city. "We walked through the Old and New Town, which includes Edinburgh Castle, which sits on Castle Rock – part of a beautiful cityscape that has been declared a World Heritage Site," said Wiam. The conference took place in George Square and the Old College campus, a late 18th century building of the University of Edinburgh, which hosted the debates.
As part of the conference, we were also invited to a gala at the prestigious National Museum of Scotland, which included a traditional ceilidh, which the students really enjoyed as they got to experience Scottish culture and traditions.
"We were so proud to see HAB students discussing international affairs, solving global problems and dealing with world crises during the conference," said Ms Leontiou.
Well done to our experienced delegates and future diplomats Amina, Wiam, Kandia, Najma, Nishkala and Heyabel, and special thanks to Ms Leontiou and Ms Maquieira for leading the trip.
The conference took place in George Square and the Old College campus, a late 18th century building of the University of Edinburgh, which hosted the constructive debate.
As the conference took place in Edinburgh, the students were also able to explore the city.
And, of course, a celebratory selfie for our delegates and future diplomats Amina, Wiam, Kandia, Najma, Nishkala and Heyabel.
