WIS MUN Conference

The inaugural WISMUN Conference was hosted on 29-30 May 2021. Over 100 students took part in the Conference, some from West Island School and others took part from different schools. We even had participants Zooming in all the way from New Jersey, USA and the UK. With a mix of both inexperienced and veteran delegates, I believe that everyone has learnt something and enjoyed the Conference.

I am Leanne Nguyen and I was honoured to be the Head Chair of the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”) and the Technology Director for this Conference. This was my first formal chairing experience and I had a great time chairing with my Deputy Chair from another school. It was my first time writing a chair report too and I believe that I’ve not only improved my research and leadership skills but have gained knowledge about conflicts that are happening in the world right now. I’ve gained insight into what other delegates and countries think whilst listening to the different arguments and well-crafted speeches judges formulated. Through this experience, I saw delegates from past conferences as well as met new delegates. I truly believe that this Conference was an amazing experience, especially since it was the first-ever WISMUN and was online.

Overcoming technical difficulties and obstacles, such as delegates not showing up and last-minute delegation changes, I am happy to announce that we had a successful two days. In the ICJ, judges and advocates debated on the US embassy move to Jerusalem and the Crimes against the Rohingya in Rakhine State. With many passed and struck charges, the ICJ had very perspicacious and informative debates with many active judges and advocates giving an abundance of thought-provoking speeches and asking for points of information (POIs).

I believe that MUN Conferences are a great way to meet new people and to learn and improve skills that you need both academically and in the “working” World. These include research, leadership, organisation, public speaking and much more.

I would like for all the participants of this Conference, whether they were delegates, judges, chairs, teacher supervisors or the secretariat team, to all take a moment and pat ourselves on the back for how far we’ve come.

Lastly, I want to thank Mr Rudall, Mrs Tang-Hales, Mrs Murchie, Ms Lee, Veejay, Aidyn Wong (the Secretary-General), Chor Wei Tang (Deputy Secretary-General), Arwa Badri (Deputy Secretary-General), the fellow Secretariat Team and Chairs for making this Conference possible. Without you all, this Conference would not have been achievable, nor would I have been able to participate in this unforgettable experience.

Leanne Nguyen