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It has been a busy year for our Model United Nations (MUN) club, with conferences held almost every month at different international schools across Switzerland and even in Madrid! Part of our extracurricular offering here at Collège Champittet, our MUN club gives students a unique opportunity to learn more about the world and themselves.
As members of MUN, students take on the role of delegates who represent different countries in a simulation of the United Nations. One of the benefits of this activity is the wide range of international topics that participants explore. In this year alone, our students have attended conferences with themes such as globalisation and global cooperation; migration and human movement; equality, diversity and inclusion; and promoting harmony and solidarity.
Along the way, our MUN delegates have researched subjects as diverse as the impact of climate change on refugees; combatting drug trafficking; the militarisation of space; preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons; addressing the global opioid epidemic; countering extremist ideologies in Sub-Saharan Africa; and conflicts in regions such as Cyprus, Yemen and Syria.
Our MUN students not only learn more about today’s global challenges, but they also discover the functions of the United Nations’ various branches. At MUN conferences, delegates participate in simulations of committees ranging from the Security Council and the International Court of Justice to the Human Rights Council and the World Health Organization, to name just a few.
“This was my first year participating in MUN. Public speaking has been one of my fears since childhood and the MUN club was something that got me out of this. My first ever conference was at the International School of Lausanne, where I didn’t say a word. But throughout the year I kept participating and finally won the best delegate award in a regional MUN held at International College Spain, Madrid,” shared Sardor, a MUN student at Champittet. “I would highly recommend students who are afraid to speak up to join this club and participate in the conferences. Shoutout to Mr Foster for helping us with debating skills and accompanying us on the trip!”
With research, debate and dialogue at its core, MUN is an excellent platform for students to develop their leadership, public speaking and diplomacy skills. The experience helps participants to build a strong toolkit that transfers into other areas of life, including empathy, critical thinking and the ability to negotiate.
Joining MUN also encourages students to broaden their worldview, as our student Bianca noted: “During the MUN conferences this year, the biggest lesson I have learned was to look at topics from different points of view. On a human level, I have learned to be more considerate of other people’s perspectives and opinions. It’s not easy to be at the United Nations, and different nations may not come to agreements quickly.”
Our student Maria Vittoria also pointed out how MUN helped her to step out of her comfort zone: “‘Honourable chairs, esteemed fellow delegates…’ This is the key phrase to memorise if you want to join MUN. This year was my first experience in the club, and one word I would use to describe it is ‘wonderful’. To be honest, at first, I was a bit scared at the idea of having to speak in front of a committee and debate, especially since English is not my first language; however, thanks to this club, I learned to let go a little, to defend my ideas, and to listen to others. I had very stimulating – and sometimes even heated – conversations, and I made new friendships. In short, for me, the MUN experience was definitely enriching and inspiring.”
At Collège Champittet, we applaud the efforts of all our MUN delegates – and we’re proud to shape the next generation of changemakers and leaders!