Model United Nations - October 2024

We are pleased to have hosted our 23rd Model United Nations (MUN) event. For the first time since before covid, we hosted representatives from neighbouring schools. This year, we were delighted to host 4 country delegations from Robert May’s (accompanied by their teacher, Ms S Garneau) and 4 country delegations from Court Moor (accompanied by their teacher Mr S Chinn) bringing the total number of country delegations to 38. This brought a real sense of occasion back to the MUN proceedings and we hope to invite more schools next year. 

Wednesday 16th October

After introductory speeches from Headteacher Mr John and Mr L Jones, the Jazz Combo (Andrew N, Mia K, Jasmine K and Winston R) officially opens the Model United Nations event of 2024 with a stunning performance of “From the Start” by Laufey. For the rest of the evening the delegates submitted and voted for their resolutions in their separate committee rooms, making alliances and encouraging other countries to support their proposals, ably supported by our staff who had kindly volunteered to help support the event.  Overall, it was an incredible evening and a spectacular opening to this year’s MUN conference. Students were delighted by the buffet that had been prepared for the evening.

Friday 18th October

Friday began with a musical performance from our Calthorpe Park Samba Band and introduction to our Judging Panel (Ms Katherine Bett (Former Student) – BBC Berkshire, Mr Ben Willcocks (Parent) – Home Office and Mr Mark Russell (Vice Chair of the Governing Body) – CEO The Children’s Society). Katherine Bett spoke to our MUN delegates about her own experiences of participating in the MUN at Calthorpe Park School and how this sparked an interest in Radio and Journalism, leading to her career at the BBC.

The students on the Top Table (Lily J and Rory M – Joint Secretary Generals of the MUN, Lily D and Lily-Ella M – Deputy Secretaries of the MUN and Ryan F – Head of Security Council) gave opening statements setting the scene for the context of the MUN 2024 and Mr Jones formally opened the meeting of the General Assembly of the MUN.

The country delegates were kept up to date with breaking news throughout the day by the Research team, who also ensured that country delegations maintained integrity by fact-checking statements throughout the day. Rory M and Lily J in their role as Secretary-General maintained discipline in the assembly meeting at all times and that rules and procedures were followed.

The Security team, headed by Amelie W & Precious O and supported by Mr Talibart ensured no breaches of security affected the proceedings. This year there were 3 attempted interruptions to the General Meeting of the MUN – a cyberattack, a “Stop the plastic” protest (led by our Geography department) and a suspected suspicious package in the Meeting Hall. These were dealt with swiftly and ably by our Security Team.

The standard of debate at this year's MUN has been phenomenal. Students debated a wide range of issues, robustly and with clarity of thought and expression. All participants can be justifiably proud of themselves, whether they were on the Top Table, a country delegate, researcher, press team or part of the security team.

The MUN culminated in a celebration at the end of the day. Mr Walker had organised two beautifully moving performances from Sister Act – “Life I Never Led,” sung by Tilly H and “Sister Act,” sung by Olivia K. Ben Willcocks and Mark Russell gave students a rousing speech, recognising their achievements and encouraging them to not be constrained and to aim for the top. The judges (Governor – Mark Russell, Parent – Ben Willcocks and Former Student – Katherine Bett determined that the best overall Country Delegation was from Hungary (Emily G, Lilliana A and Emil W from Robert May’s School) and that the overall best Individual Delegate was Harry H (representing Russia, from Court Moor School). 

On behalf of everyone involved in this year’s Model United Nations, we would like to say a huge thank you to the staff at Calthorpe Park who supported this event. We also offer our congratulations to winning students from Robert May’s and Court Moor.

     

This year’s resolutions (agenda all set by students) :

Committee Room 1 – Disarmament & International Security

1. Reducing Conflict linked to religious beliefs and ideology, and encouraging peace in the Middle East. (submitted by Lebanon, Cuba, UK, India, China and Egypt) (Passed)
2. Global non-proliferation and Disarmament. (submitted by USA, Ukraine, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Japan, Poland, Portugal and Norway) (Passed)
3. Reducing the Risk posed by Terrorist Attack and use of nuclear weapons (submitted by Italy, Turkey, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) (Ran out of Committee Discussion Time)

Committee Room 2 – Economic, Financial and Environmental

1. Global cooperation on air quality and the reduction of pollution. (submitted by China and Sri Lanka) (Passed)
2. Promoting sustainable economic development (submitted by USA, France, Japan and UK) (Passed)
3. The need for supra national regulation of deforestation (submitted by Columbia) (Not passed)

Committee Room 3 – Social, Humanitarian and Cultural

1. Land-locked countries being unable to access trading markets as result of restrictions imposed by bordering states (submitted by Czech Republic) (Adjourned)
2. Reducing gender inequality and empowering women (submitted by Canada) (Not passed)
3. Reducing poverty (submitted by Portugal) (Passed)