BERMUN 2020

Our Secondary School students continue to excel in representing our school on an international level. Recently twelve students have attended the Virtual Berlin Model United Nations and some of them have written about their experience. 

November, me and 11 other KS4 and KS5 students had the opportunity to take part in a virtual MUN conference. Of course, we were devastated that we couldn’t go on the trip and see Berlin, but the experience was very enriching nonetheless. So I declare BERMUN XXIX 2020 officially in session! As the delegate of Russia in the Security Council I can say that this year’s BERMUN was a unique and amazing experience even considering the different circumstances. Connecting to the zoom platform in the morning made me so nervous but as soon as I got the opportunity to speak I remembered the reason I decided to take part in the first place. 

Our school got the opportunity to represent the Russian Federation and the Republic of Sierra Leone in numerous councils including: the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Special Conference and the Political committee. As well as some students being advocates and judges in the International Court of Justice, a completely new experience. So all I can say now is, hope to see you in person next year Berlin!

Giulia Gardumi Y11
 

In my opinion, what makes MUN extra special is that you will get to learn and consider world issues taking place in the present moment that cannot be learned in school. Every time I participate in the conference, there are always some great people who push me up even further and that’s why I am obsessed with MUN. This year, I took part in BERMUN as the advocate of the United States of America with my partner Polina in the case of relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem. 

Despite the fact that this was my third MUN conference, having participated in ICJ was a completely new experience for me which has greatly fortified my persuasion skills as well as a mental to go through with our side’s policy until the end even in a tough situation. Although our side was not granted to the final conclusion, I was truly grateful to have such an eloquent speaker to be my opponent, who was the advocate of Paletine, the winner of this year’s case. Her evidence lists were exceptionally strong and the way she pointed out our arguments was exceedingly accurate. 

However the most extraordinary part was when she immediately improvised her speeches after my partner and I had finished closing speeches. She undermined every argument we’ve made without looking at her original speech which must have been prepared before the conference. This gave me a positive shock, realizing this is the skill required to confront the global stage. 

Overall, this year’s conference turned out to be immensely stimulating and memorable which taught me to develop an ability to predict and the flexibility to prepare every possible scenario that might encounter not only in the court but also in real life. 

Miu Yamada Y11

MUN will always be a one of a kind experience. Not only do we get to know people from diverse places, but we have the opportunity to discuss and debate on real issues that many people globally are facing. We as children do not have the opportunity to put our thoughts into vital topics such as the ones discussed in MUN, but with the help of many people we had very eventful and passionate debates. We had the pleasure to socialise with many other delegates and negotiate on different solutions for the problems we are currently faced with. Many of ISM pupils engaged in the debates, making speeches, suggesting many ideas and showing their true potential. I am very proud and confident to say that the individuals in ISM who took part in MUN have a very bright future ahead of themselves. I hope for many more students to take part as this is one very important step to help those around us suffering. 

Sophia Eberhard Zolle Y11