QMUN Model United Nations Conference
Q-MUN is a Model United Nations conference hosted by Queen’s and involves a range of other schools from the North West, involved in a whole variety of roles.
Delegates take part in diplomatic negotiation and debate on a diverse range of topics and the event is an entirely student-led collaborative venture simulating a diplomatic summit at the UN.
Background
Q-MUN is a Model United Nations conference hosted by Queen’s and involves a range of other schools from the North West, involved in a whole variety of roles.
Delegates take part in diplomatic negotiation and debate on a diverse range of topics and the event is an entirely student-led collaborative venture simulating a diplomatic summit at the UN.
Our latest event in began with an inspirational speech by a guest who works in international investigations - a little-known area that has clear links with the interests that drive our students to become involved with Model UN: international affairs, politics, diplomacy and global justice.
Resources
Our Model UN Club meets on a weekly basis. It is run by our experienced students who prepare topics for debate and help the younger students familiarise themselves with Model UN format, procedures and jargon
In the lead-up to the conference, the student organising team meets regularly with MUN co-ordinator. The organising team select the topics for debate, write briefing papers to provide to all delegates, and organise a whole range of other aspects of the conference from briefing the external guest chairs to producing award certificates for delegates and chairs.
School building used to host the event on the day where classrooms and areas are transformed into committee rooms and the Hall is used for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Impact
QMUN gives students from across the north-west the opportunity to increase their understanding of world issues and the work of the United Nations.
Being part of MUN fosters key skills such as independence and self-motivation, team-working, confidence and public speaking.
Quote from Christleton High School teacher:
'I just wanted to email to say how fantastic I thought your Model United Nations Conference was at the weekend. For many of our students, it was their first or second time attending an MUN conference and they finished the conference feeling a massive confidence boost and keen and eager for the next one. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.'
'The students at The Queen's School were incredibly welcoming and supportive to all students, and this made for a positive environment in all of the committees. They did an amazing job and fantastic representation to your school. Thank you for inviting us and allowing us to be part of QMun2. A massive thank you to Jochen and all the staff for doing a sterling job in organising it also. Having hosted a MUN conferences myself in the past, I know that the logistics and the preparation for such an event is a huge task. Hopefully we will see you on another MUN conference again soon, if not at QMun3!'
Pupil Involvement
The conference is predominantly student-run and involves a committee of students who organise it alongside our Model UN Co-ordinator. The committee selects the topics of debate, liaises with schools to assign delegations and oversees the debates and organisation of infrastructure on the day.
A student press team takes photo and video footage of the day, carries out interviews with delegates and reports on 'news' from the committees. They produce a newsletter and video ready for Closing Ceremony.
A team of runners are assigned for the day delivering messages between committee rooms.
Over 140 Y9-12 students from schools across the north-west took part in the most recent event.
Frequency
Q-MUN is a biennial event and we have held two events to date.
