High schoolers get a taste of the United Nations at MUNYP Conference

Model United Nations Society (MUNYP) at the University of New York in Prague has emerged as an initiative for creating a platform for young students interested in international relations to discuss global current affairs. Since 2011, our society has grown considerably in size, with students showing dedication, passion and enthusiasm in meetings and their increasing interest in participating in domestic or international model UN conferences.

Due to such a well established society and the help and support of the University of New York in Prague, MUNYP was able to host their 2nd International High School Model United Nations Conference. This time, MUNYP held a three-day conference which took place on the 26th till the 28th of January, 2018.

We welcomed 40 students from international schools from the Czech Republic, including Český Krumlov, and Prague, as well as schools from Turkey, Georgia and the Netherlands. Each student brought to the group a range of cultures and ideas.

During the three-day conference students had the opportunity to solve international political issues, promote intercultural understanding and familiarize themselves with the bodies and inner workings of the United Nations. This year the students tackled topics around the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals. The committees and themes they had the chance to look at were the Security Council on the threat of cyber warfare on international peace and security, the Human Rights Council on the situation of Rohingyas in Myanmar, and the Economic and Social Council on post-conflict development.

After all the long days of debating, students had the opportunity to bond and network on a tour of Prague and an enjoyable evening of glow-in-the-dark mini golf.

We hope the students had a fantastic time filled with memories and we look forward to seeing familiar faces next year!

The MUNYP team would like to personally thank the organizers and all those who supported this event: Danai Baouraki, Arina Rossikhin, Mark Anderson, Olga Paxidrova, Huy Do Quang and Robin Nguyen. In addition, a big thanks to the chairs, Anastasia Latenkova, Aus Alasbahi, Daniel Fridel, Diana Ghalib and Jakub Malhocky. Special thanks go to the professors, Oscar Hidalgo, Tanweer Ali and Jakub Leps, who took their time and dedicated a speech at the event as well as an exceptional welcome video from Jan Zahradil.

Currently the 2019 MUN Conference preparations are on the way, in order to make it even bigger and better next year. So watch out for updates on our website as well as our Facebook page.