Mini Model United Nations 2023

Last week we welcomed more than 100 prep school pupils across Years 6, 7 and 8, from Bryanston Prep, Walhampton, Arnold House, Farleigh, Port Regis, Thomas Battersea, Dumpton, Clayesmore, Yarrells, Castle Court and Hanford, for the return of our Mini Model United Nations event.

The event was hosted and chaired by Bryanston’s Sixth Form members of the MUN society, with an aim of providing a forum for prep school pupils to investigate and debate global issues, from the perspective of assigned nation-states and using simplified forms and protocols of the United Nations.

With delegates representing different countries, they debated topics such as tackling global food insecurity, protecting press freedom for democracy, and ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy in three separate committees, (United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Human Rights Council and World Food Programme).

Prizes were awarded to:

• United Nations Environment Programme – best delegation: Ireland
• United Nations Environment Programme – highly commended: Brazil, Japan, UK and USA
• World Food Programme – best delegation: USA
• World Food Programme – highly commended: Gabon, Ghana, France, Japan, Norway, Albania
• United Nations Human Rights Council – best delegation: USA
• United Nations Human Rights Council – highly commended: Gabon, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland
• Runners Up Overall Best Delegation: Gabon
• Best Overall Delegation (All Committees): USA

Prizes were awarded for highly commended and best delegations in each committee. The Best Overall Delegation Award went to USA, ably represented by pupils from Arnold House, who had travelled over three hours to the event.

Teacher of History and Mini Model United Nations Event Co-ordinator Arabella de Steiger Khandwala, commented: “It was such an informative and exciting day with top quality debates between participating schools. I’d like to say a special thank you to Bryanston pupils for doing an incredible job of looking after the visiting prep school pupils and chairing the various committees. Roll on next year's event!”