A Day of Diplomacy and Debate: Our Students at the Sub-Saharan International Model United Nations Mock Debate

On Saturday, 14th March 2026, a group of enthusiastic students from Year 8 to Year 10 had the exciting opportunity to participate in the Sub‑Saharan International Model United Nations mock debate held at Amref International University at Northlands. The half‑day conference offered a vibrant and engaging introduction to the world of Model United Nations (MUN), especially for many of our students who were attending a conference for the very first time.

Stepping into the World of Diplomacy

From the moment the conference began, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and curiosity. Students quickly began learning how MUN conferences operate, from understanding debate procedures to confidently raising their placards to speak.

To allow for more focused discussions, students were divided into two conference rooms:

- Year 8 and Year 9 students in one committee

- Year 10 students in another

This arrangement allowed each group to participate comfortably while still experiencing the energy of a full conference environment.

Debating a Global Issue

The motion for debate was both challenging and thought‑provoking:

“European states should provide reparations to former colonies for historical damages and loss of life.”

Students explored the issue from different perspectives, grounding their arguments in international law, historical accountability, economic feasibility and modern diplomatic relations. It was inspiring to watch them analyze the ethical foundations of reparative justice while also discussing the practical realities of implementing such measures in today’s global political landscape.

Many students demonstrated impressive critical thinking as they built arguments, listened to opposing viewpoints and responded thoughtfully during the debate.

Advisors’ Meeting: Supporting Future Delegates

While the students were actively participating in their respective committees, Miss Catherine Koki and I attended the Advisors’ Meeting where teachers and coordinators discussed ways to further strengthen student participation in future conferences.

Some of the key discussions included:

- Encouraging students to take on leadership roles such as Junior Chair positions and joining the Press Team.

- The importance of attending delegate workshops to help students better understand debate procedures and build confidence before conferences.

- Strategies for preparing students to become more active and effective participants in future MUN events.

Learning Beyond the Debate

Beyond the formal sessions, the conference offered valuable opportunities for students to interact and connect with peers from other schools. During the breaks and after the sessions ended, students exchanged ideas, shared their experiences and reflected on the debates they had participated in.

Experiences like these help students develop essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and diplomacy.

A Memorable End to the Day

After an engaging morning of debate and learning, we made a brief stop for lunch before heading back to school, where parents were waiting to pick up the students.

A total of 32 students participated in the conference, accompanied by Miss Catherine Koki and myself, Stephanie Malika. It was wonderful to see how excited and grateful the students were for the opportunity.

Looking Ahead

On the journey back, many students were already discussing future conferences and how they could improve their speeches and arguments next time. Their enthusiasm was truly encouraging.

Events like these remind us that learning does not only happen in classrooms. Sometimes it happens in conference rooms where young minds come together to debate global issues, challenge ideas and begin to see themselves as future leaders of the world.

(BY MS. STEPHANIE MALIKA)