improving our global community by continuing to
discuss, negotiate and debate solutions to the various
problems facing modern society. Being a part of
THIMUN 2019 allowed us to embrace the spirit of the
UN: ‘to practise tolerance and live together in peace
with one another as good neighbours’.
(an honour in itself) and 11 of these passed; this was
an outstanding achievement and a school record. In
the BISMUN conference too, where we represented
Poland and Iran, Sevenoaks students received a
number of individual and team awards. At the time of
writing, the most recently elected presidents of the
Oxford and Cambridge Unions are both graduates of
the Sevenoaks School MUN group.
MUN fits into the Sevenoaks vision perfectly –
working collaboratively, showing global engagement,
considering ethics, and undertaking new challenges.
The trip was a really enjoyable experience for all of us.
As well as the conference itself, we also took part in a
visit to the International Criminal Court in The Hague,
and watched a screening of a documentary about
the use of fake news in social media, followed by a
question and answer session with its director. Huge
thanks go to Mr Taylor and Dr Cheung for organising
and accompanying the trip.
Tanaya Vohra and Sofia Balk, Lower Sixth
BISMUN
In March, a group of Model United Nations delegates
from Sevenoaks School travelled to Kingswood School
in Bath to compete in the annual Bath International
MUN conference.
Practising hard in our weekly MUN sessions with
our peers was a different proposition to debating in
rooms full of unfamiliar faces. Daunting at first, it
Chris Taylor
was nevertheless interesting to meet new people and
THIMUN
talk to them about crucial issues facing the world
today. A wide variety of agenda items were covered,
The Hague International MUN Conference is one
from the conflict in Yemen to plastic pollution. We
of the biggest forums for students to debate on an
had delegates representing Poland and Iran in lots of
international platform. Despite a small number of
different committees, all debating a range of topics
our team having some prior experience with MUN,
from a variety of different angles.
this trip was the first time most of us had partaken
in a conference of such high calibre, and lobbying,
We spent three engaging days discussing, lobbying
debating and speaking in front of committees of
and debating, and each day ended with a dinner
over a hundred students seemed, initially, a very
together when we could catch up with each other on
daunting task.
how our respective debates had been going. Four of
However, the conference also gave us an opportunity
finally to put into practice the nuanced diplomacy
we had developed over the course of the year, and
our results spoke volumes about the months of
preparation we had put in.
Collaborating with nearly 4000 student delegates
from over 160 countries instilled in us a passion for
us were awarded ‘Commended Delegate’ and another
four ‘Highly Commended Delegate’. We also had
the opportunity to visit the beautiful town of Bath,
which was a first for many. It was a memorable and
rewarding experience and we are all grateful for the
opportunity.
Viraj Patnaik, Lower Sixth
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2018-2019
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