The Anglophone Section has been sending delegations to M.U.N. Conferences for over 25 years.
These conferences (which are, of course, conducted in English) and the preparation for them constitute one of the most exciting and stimulating educational opportunities available. They are formative, highly-enjoyable events which frequently instil in our delegates a lifelong interest in world affairs. University admissions tutors are particularly interested in applicants who have had this sort of experience and many of our former pupils have, thanks to their M.U.N. experience, embarked on university courses and subsequently professional career paths in foreign affairs, international relations, etc. The French administration of the Lycée fully appreciates the importance of this experience for our students.
The underlying idea is that of a role-playing simulations of the work of the United Nations, aimed at encouraging young people (essentially in the 15 to 19 age group) to take an active part in the events of their world in order to promote international tolerance, understanding and cooperation.
Schools throughout the world are invited to participate and represent one or more UN member states. Initially each school submits a list of countries in which they are particularly interested and then a draw is made to determine the final attribution of countries. Over the years our students have represented South Africa, Finland, Denmark, Laos, South Korea, Bangladesh, Mexico, Bahamas, Israel, Germany, Côte d’Ivoire and many other countries. Students who are interested in the MUN programme can learn and prepare for the conferences through participation in the MUN Club. This club is organised and directed by the students as a forum to help one another ‘learn the ropes’ of MUN.
In terms of preparation, various stages are gone through:
- All students undertake thorough research of the country attributed to the delegation.
- Everyone must become well-acquainted with current events and all pupils are involved in both debates and the presentation of written papers.
- Each individual delegate selects a UN Committee or Commission in which he/she is particularly interested (e.g. Economic Issues, the environment, plight of refugees, etc. etc.) and through research and presentations becomes the delegation “expert” in the field.
- The delegates select their ambassador, whose main function is to make a one-minute presentation of the country and its political agenda to the entire Conference (sometimes an audience of over 3500!)
- Students debate issues in club and learn to write UN resolutions in the appropriate manner.
- The delegation participates in mock preparatory debates with other participating schools, e.g. Lycée International St. Germain, American School of Paris, etc.
- A group of delegates prepare a list of questions and visit the country’s Paris Embassy.