Model United Nations Conference

Wycombe Abbey recently hosted its annual Model United Nations (MUN) conference, welcoming more than 150 participants from across the country to debate global problems.

The conference simulated the debate of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the United Nations body responsible for the encouragement of gender equality and female empowerment.

Pupils represented either a Member State or a non-governmental organisations during negotiations on the protection and advancement of the rights of women during armed conflict and in post-conflict situations. The Commission was founded in 1945 with the help of two Wycombe Seniors: Elsie Bowerman and Jessie Street.

The conference started with an intense day of negotiations, punctuated by an elegant black tie dinner, which offered pupils a brief dalliance with the fineries of diplomatic life. Hosted in a beautifully decorated Big School, the meal was remarkable and guests were entertained afterwards with a speech from Flora, the Secretary General of MUN.

The standard of debate and frenzied nature of negotiations rose to new levels on the second day, with multiple resolutions being put forward throughout the course of the day.

Ultimately, all points of contention were overcome and the resolution drafted by the pupils was passed.

The weekend’s close saw multiple Wycombe Abbey girls being award Highly Commended and Outstanding Delegation Awards: a tribute to the girls’ hard work throughout the weekend.

Nadia, UV