Bede's Model United Nations Conference 2026: Uplands Students Excel in International Debate

On 13 October, a group of Uplands students attended the Bede's Model United Nations (MUN) 2026 Conference, themed "Empowering International Frameworks: Arguing for the Relevance of International Law in Today's World". The event provided an exciting opportunity for students to step into the shoes of diplomats and debate some of the most pressing issues facing the world today. 

Representing Argentina and Indonesia, our students participated in a range of committees, including the UN Environmental Agency, the Historical Security Council, and the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee. Throughout the day, they discussed complex international issues such as medical aid in refugee camps, competing economic zones in the South China Sea, and peacekeeping efforts in Western Sahara. 

In preparation for the conference, students spent several weeks working with Mrs. Underdown, developing their debating skills, drafting resolutions, and mastering the formal procedures and language used within the United Nations. Their hard work and dedication were evident from the very start of the conference. 

All of our students performed exceptionally well, confidently contributing to debates and demonstrating impressive diplomatic skills. It was particularly pleasing to see them engaging with students from other schools, building both confidence and new connections. One of the highlights of the day came when a student from another school went out of their way to compliment the quality of contributions made by the Uplands delegates in committee sessions. 

We were delighted that several students received individual recognition for their outstanding performances. Charlie B, Sam T and Callie C were each awarded Commended Delegate honours, reflecting the quality of their research, speaking and engagement throughout the conference. 

The afternoon brought an exciting challenge in the form of the annual Emergency Council Meeting, which this year centred on the discovery of a new land mass known as "China 2." Students from different committees combined to tackle this unexpected international crisis, requiring quick thinking, persuasive argument and effective teamwork. 

Thanks to their strong debating skills and confident public speaking, our students representing Argentina achieved one of the conference's highest honours, receiving the Highly Commended Delegation Award, along with a beautiful trophy for the school. 

Finally, a special mention must go to the enthusiasm shown by all of our students throughout the day. One delegate was even encouraged to scale back their contributions slightly due to their eagerness to participate in every discussion! It is wonderful to see such passion, commitment and intellectual curiosity from our students. 

Congratulations to everyone involved on a fantastic achievement and for representing Uplands with such distinction. We look forward to building on this success at future Model United Nations events. 

Our team was: 

Argentina: Sophie J, Charlie B, Nell C, Freddie H, Edie W, Cordelia M and Isabella H.

Indonesia: Julia U, India P, Aelitta H, Ruben C, Bea S, Sam T and Callie C.