On Saturday 16th, Queen’s College welcomed students from across the South West and Wales for the annual Model United Nations conference, a day dedicated to debating pressing global issues.
This year’s event was the largest yet, with around 300 students and 40 visiting staff in attendance. Fourteen Queen’s students took on the challenging role of chairing debates, with Head of School Francesca serving as Secretary-General. The conference was further enriched by a keynote address from John Derrick, whose impressive career includes roles within the United Nations, the Foreign Development and Commonwealth Office (FCDO), and the Department of Business and Trade. His insights into diplomacy and his experiences as Deputy Head of Mission and Consul-General at the British Embassy in Chile captivated the audience.
Debates tackled a diverse range of topics, including the war in South Sudan, the prevention of HIV and AIDS, the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and deforestation. Queen’s students demonstrated exceptional leadership and composure while chairing committees of 50 participants, and their peers engaged in thoughtful, well-researched discussions marked by a spirit of collaboration and diplomacy.
The day was a resounding success, filled with energy, meaningful dialogue, and a shared commitment to understanding global issues.
