February 2016 43 www.bahrainthismonth.com Bryan Wilkinson MUN takes place around the world For many of us the United Nations (UN) is a far away entity with little or no correlation to our everyday lives. However, when we look at the group’s function – simply put, the promotion of international co-operation – it becomes clear that it has an important role dealing with issues as wide ranging as healthcare, disarmament and, of course, refugees. But how can that be adapted to a school setting? Bryan explains: “The Model United Nations [which has been running at RVIS since 2012] is a simulation of the UN which is put on by schools and universities right across the world. “It uses the structure of the UN and is aimed at young adults, from around age 14 upwards. There have to be faculty members involved on issues such as finance and law etc, but it is mostly organised by the students themselves. “As we are hosting this conference, we have invited schools from across the island to take part. As with the UN, the conference consists of several committees and students, who are MODEL UNITED LEARNING known as delegates who are assigned specific areas to research and discuss. Committee chairs are rigorously interviewed and can come from any of the participating schools.” Committees, in which debate will take place, are: DISEC (Disarmament), Arab League (an Arab only committee) Human Rights, Security Council, the World Health Organisation and the Legal committee. There will also be a special Trusteeship Council, mirroring a council which came into being during the Second World War, which is specifically designed for history students. Bryan continues: “We will have student chairs and co-chairs for the committees as well as delegates. Students are allocated a country to represent and one of the big things about MUN is that they then have to go off and research their country’s position, which might not be their own, and argue it coherently in the meeting. “Each country gives an opening speech. As at the real UN, it’s up to the delegates to find allies and they can then work together. Debates can LIZ O’REILLY In March, Riffa Views International School (RVIS) will host the Model United Nations (MUN) with youngsters coming from across the island to debate matters of international importance. MUN director Bryan Wilkinson explains why this is more than just a classroom exercise. get a bit fiery but they are controlled, they can only speak when recognised by the chair, they can’t just blurt out their points. “The purpose is to create resolutions to the problems presented to them. “From the students’ point of view the benefits are many. They have to research their allocated country and history, they are involved in the organisation and hosting of meetings, it develops leadership skills, problem solving and confidence in public speaking and this is something that is very well viewed by future employers and universities.” Students from RVIS have won multiple awards during previous MUN conferences. Awards such as Best Opening Speech, Best Delegate, Most Likely to be in the UN and Best Position Paper. Across the course of the two-day conference there will be various prizes such as Best Delegate and Best Dressed, with the young people expected to turn out in Western business attire. And the resolutions presented can actually be forwarded to the UN.
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