Model United Nations
Senior high school students develop an awareness of the United Nations and the countries they represent at a simulated UN Assembly. The event provides an excellent forum for students to develop and practise their public speaking skills while debating topical world issues. The two-day event was organised by the Blue Mountains/Western Sydney Rotary District. This is an annual event attended by many schools in the area. Santa Sabina was represented by two well-prepared teams – Brazil (Jasmien El Khoury, Kate Pitman-Fernadez, Kelly Ghali, Aditi Kamath) and Saudi Arabia (Remi Apostoplolous, Anna-Maria Sulukojian, Zara Powter).
Below are some thoughts from the Santa Sabina participants:
Over the weekend, I was honoured to partake in a Model UN competition in Emu Plains with six other students. My team represented Brazil as we worked together to demonstrate our nation’s stance on global issues including International Trade, Information and Telecommunications, and Climate Change. Whilst we enjoyed the debating aspect, we were also able to grow alliances and friendships with other countries which assisted in us passing two of the motions which we had moved (spoken in favour of). Thank you so much to the teachers (Ms Harris, Dr Richardson, Ms Imber and Mr Henao) who trekked with us to Emu Plains and helped us prepare for the Competition. I strongly recommend the opportunity to any student interested in Debating, Politics, Social Justice or even just looking to understand how the United Nations Assembly functions.
Aditi Kamath
Year 12 IB
The Rotary Model United Nations was a fantastic experience to immerse in the global affairs and events that shape our modern world today. I, alongside Remi Apostolopoulos and Zara Powter, represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The resolutions and debates were interesting and valuable to discuss as they apply to current issues. The MUN conference provided me with a personal understanding of international relations by simulating realistic diplomatic situations.
Anna-Maria Sulukojian
Year 11 HSC
The key highlights of the MUNA for me were:
- the level of debating we engaged in
- the friends we made and the alliances formed
- engagement in the discussion of topics that got heated because of differing opinions and how everyone had to maintain their country’s stances.
Jasmine El Khoury
Year 12 IB
Attending six rigorous resolution sessions, we were able to develop our public speaking, debating, and negotiation skills that allowed us to both engage in friendly competition, and in more serious, heated negotiation. Over the two days, we were able to vote for and against resolutions relating to real-life issues such as the Gaza vs Israel conflict, legislation against lethal autonomous weapons systems, and climate change. While representing Brazil and Saudi Arabia, we were able to express our respective countries’ viewpoints to pass or defer resolutions that we believed would be of benefit to our society. Additionally, we were able to formulate positive relationships with countries with the same viewpoints and ideologies as us, to communicate our certain stances on issues and to stand together in unity to pass and defer resolutions. Overall, it was an extremely interesting experience that allowed us to gain valuable insight into operations of the United Nations and ongoing communication between the international community.
Kelly Ghali
Year 11 IB
Julie Harris, Christopher Richardson, Gabriel Henao and Lauren Imber
Santa Sabina staff
