NISCMUN: the first MUN Conference in Nord Anglia Education

NISCMUN: the first MUN Conference in Nord Anglia Education Have you ever wondered what would happen if you put about two hundred middle school and high school students in a few classrooms and told them to debate world issues and try to figure out solutions for them? At NISCMUN, the first MUN Conference in Nord Anglia Education, you would get educated debate and solutions that would work in the real world.

By Makayla Stanley

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you put about two hundred middle school and high school students in a few classrooms and told them to debate world issues and try to figure out solutions for them? At NISCMUN, the first MUN Conference in Nord Anglia Education, you would get educated debate and solutions that would work in the real world. 

A Systematic Frenzy

As the students from Nord Anglia schools in Southeast Asia, and other invited international schools Phnom Penh, started flooding in the gates on the first day, the NISCMUN Executive Committee and delegates alike were thrilled but also nervous, but kept their heads cool.

Everyone in the NISCMUN team, from the directors to the delegates, were excited to achieve the best possible conference they could have, and from the amazing interactions among delegates, it was achieved.            

The Executive Committee was settling into the swing of running an MUN conference on the first day, but by the end of the weekend, it felt like we had been doing it for ages.

On day one, the opening day of lobbying, we were running everywhere, almost frantically trying to keep everything in order. Tables had to be set up, podiums put in place, and delegates led to their committee rooms.

I felt like at any moment, things would go out of control. But soon enough, it transformed into an amazing place where delegates were able to work on ideas together to help build a better world. The enthusiasm was palpable and the energy from the delegates was far beyond.

Inspiring the Youth

Speeches from a UN representative opened the conference days to debate and endorsed the present youth who are thoughtful enough to make changes in the world.

There were inspiring speeches from the Secretary Generals, Cameron Kouch and Makayla Stanley, Mr Polycarp Ambe-nida, a Court Interpreter at the UN Assistance at the Khmer Rouge Trials in Cambodia, and Mr Nick Koumjian, the International Prosecutor in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

A Cultural Celebration 

Day two brought fruitful debate and a beautiful banquet with speeches and dancing from many cultures such as the traditional coconut dance from Cambodia followed by a K-pop dance by students.

The diversity of these performances illustrated how many different people can come together to do great things, which is the true beauty of MUN. 

On top of the cultural celebrations were intense debates. Some of the most interesting points in the conference were in committee rooms, which were filled with new ideas and new resolutions.

One of the most satisfying things that happened was seeing delegates already done with resolutions and prepared to debate within only a few hours.

A Ceremonial Conclusion

The final debate time was in our crisis council, where we informed the delegates that a disease had broken out and they must find a solution within an hour.

This prompted some very interesting solutions brought up by the delegates that brought our conference to a lighthearted close. 

Finally, there was the closing ceremony, where the chairs of each committee shared their best delegates and best moments with everyone.

When the Secretary General brought NISCMUN to its official end with the banging of the gavel, there was a sense of sadness within all delegates, because the intellectual and amazing people that surrounded NISC for three days would soon leave. 

However, there was also a sense of happiness at the fact that NISC had been a part of the first and successful Nord Anglia Education Southeast Asia MUN conference in, where everyone helped each other learn, cooperate, and solve world problems.

For more information, contact Ms Nancy: nancy_calimlim@nisc.edu.kh