The ISP Model United Nations (ISP MUN) is a truly international and multicultural event where our students come together from around the world to experience an educational simulation of a real UN conference. This activity invites the school community to join a real-life committee representing a country’s delegation. The task is to debate with other countries to solve an international issue in a diplomatic manner following the ideals from the Charter of the United Nations. Student delegates learn about diplomacy, international relations, research techniques, public speaking, debating, compromise, and writing skills in addition to improving their critical thinking, teamwork and leadership abilities.
Delegates are placed in committees and assigned countries, and occasionally are asked to represent specific organisations or political figures. They are presented with their assignments in advance, along with a topic or topics for their committee to discuss. Delegates carry out research before conferences and formulate positions that they will then debate with fellow delegates in pre-assigned committees, staying true to the actual position of the member country they represent. At the end of a MUN the best performing delegates from each committee, as well as delegations, are usually recognised with trophies and/or awards.
ISP MUN conferences typically last for just over a week and are hosted by a different ISP school each year; making it a valuable international and cultural experience for our students to take with them into their future. Beyond the debates it is a unique learning opportunity for our students to discover more about the diversity of the host country, meet people from different countries and cultures make connections from around the world and foster long term friendships.
The first ISP MUN entitled ‘Together we can make a difference’ was hosted at Laude The Lady Elizabeth School in Spain. The delegates discussed and debated topics including the Denuclearization of DPRK and Solving the economic and political crisis in Venezuela.
The second annual ISP MUN entitled ‘Solving Issues – Building the Future’ took place at St. Jude School in Costa Rica in April 2019. Around 90 students aged 15-18 years old from 11 ISP schools in Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico and Spain took part in a memorable international opportunity.
During the debates at this year’s ISP MUN, delegates were passionate about making the world a better place and came together to propose solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. They discussed and debated topics including Misuse of Personal Information and the limits of privacy, Ensuring the protection of children seeking asylum and Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: meeting growing energy demands.
Student delegates also learnt about the traditions and culture of Costa Rica and had the opportunity to discover the amazing wildlife and breath-taking natural beauty of the country by visiting the Poás Volcano, la Paz Waterfall Gardens and the city of Sarchí.
Our next ISP MUN will be for students aged 13-18 years old and will be hosted by Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in March 2020.
If you are a parent or student at an ISP school who would like to find out more or apply to be part of the next ISP MUN, please contact your school’s Admissions Office from October 2019.
