This summer we caught up with Cameron Boland, Model United Nations (MUN) Secretary General for Exeter College to find out more about the upcoming conference on 23rd September.

So what is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an extracurricular activity in which students role-play delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. Although many schools and colleges have their own MUN Club, most use it to prepare for MUN conferences, a day or more of structured debating. At the end of most conferences, outstanding delegates in each committee are recognized and given an award certificate; the Best Delegate in each committee, however, receives a gavel. Many thousands of students in the UK participate in Model United Nations, which involves substantial researching, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, as well as critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities.”

The theme of this year’s conference is change. Each delegate will be allocated a country and they will be asked to put forward their country’s view on various issues. At some point during the proceedings a crisis will be issued with individuals and delegations aiming to find a solution that suits not only their country but the wider global community too. You can read more about the order of proceedings, along with the guides and paperwork on the Exeter College MUN website here.

Cameron first signed up in his first year where he was coached by second years on how to develop his arguments, “When I started in my first year, I couldn’t really debate at all. I didn’t have any experience and had never done anything like it. Over time I could see I was developing, not only in confidence but in forming arguments and getting the most out of my classes.” Cameron went on to help the first years in their development towards award-winning performances, during his second year at Exeter College. Having studied A Level History, Chemistry and Maths, he has gone on to begin a career in accountancy with Big Four firm, EY, in Leeds.

The fourth Exeter College Model United Nations Conference will be hosting to approximately 100 delegates from a wide range of local sixth forms. If you want to take part or find out more then you can find more information on the website here. Students can come along and take a look at how it works, just fill out the form here to let the organisers know. There will be guest speakers such as Dr Vik Mohan, who appeared at TedxExeter. You can read more about Vik here.

If you are interested in taking part in Model United Nations in the future then Cameron would highly recommend it. He said:

I joined in in my first year and I was quite within myself, to an extent, but now I am quite outgoing. You build up a lot of friends too as you are all going along to the same conferences. Frankfurt was a highlight, a 3 day university level conference with people from places such as France and Germany. I’ve been to a lot of conferences this year. With the experience and confidence I gained, I was able to win awards at many conferences. For those thinking about university applications, to be able to put something like winning at an MUN event into your personal statement, it highlights an interest in the world around you and in personal development, which are two huge plus points for any application.”