If you ventured out early on Saturday morning, you might have been surprised to find a dozen teenagers in full business attire, some with the smartest of briefcases, others struggling to stay upright in heels never worn before. This would be, of course, a group of students heading for the 2022 Model United Nations Conference at the London Oratory School – LOSMUN 2022.

Model UN, as it is commonly called, is an extra-curricular activity offered by schools and colleges across the globe, in which students take on the role of delegates from different countries of the UN to represent that country’s view on topics such as climate change, human rights and exploitation. This might happen through weekly meetings in the form of General Assemblies (where all countries in the UN are welcome), or selected councils and committees. Students gain experience in public speaking and how the UN works, and might have the opportunity to represent a country at a Model UN Conference such as LOSMUN 2022, where students from various schools meet for a conference as though they were delegates of the UN.

One local college offering students the opportunity to attend LOSMUN 2022 was BHASVIC, and I was fortunate enough to be part of their group of students setting off for London Oratory School (before the sun had even risen)! This was my first Model UN conference, and whilst I was nervous, all the other delegates were extremely supportive. We began the day with an exciting welcome from Julie Etchingham, who offered a valuable insight into public speaking and presentation, before some informal lobbying. This was invaluable in helping us to feel more comfortable among delegates from other schools and colleges, and was strategically useful too in enabling us to identify our potential allies!

The committees then debated resolutions on various thought-provoking topics. Preparation was the key for confidence here and I felt eternally grateful for my pages of notes as I stood at the podium to speak. The General Assembly was slightly different, in that it centred around a crisis which had more information around it released throughout the day. Thinking quickly was essential here, showing me the importance of rapidly understanding a situation and taking a stance on it.

Overall, LOSMUN 2022 was a fantastic experience. The delegates and chairs all conducted themselves in a ‘model’ UN delegate manner. I would absolutely recommend this opportunity to anyone interested in politics, geography, or public speaking, and anyone who has a desire to understand how the UN brings different perspectives together in order to create real positive change.