Model UN: Protecting Global Security from Cyber Attacks

Six schools joined forces to create a Model United Nations event on Monday 23^rd June discussing the challenging topic, ‘What can the United Nations do to ensure Global Security in the new era of Cyber Attacks?’. Students from four Reading schools; Leighton Park, Blessed Hugh Farringdon, John Madejski Academy and Reading Girls’ School plus those from Kingswood School in Bath and Sibford School in Banbury, represented a selection of 23 nations from five continents.

In a Model United Nations event, the participants are assigned countries and encouraged to debate real-world issues from their assigned nation’s perspective. They have the opportunity to enhance their skills in research, negotiation, teamwork, critical thinking and public speaking as well as gaining an improved understanding of diplomacy, global challenges and international relations. The Main Hall was beautifully transformed into a formal UN-style chamber, complete with national flags, nameplates, and a structured seating arrangement that reflected the dignity of the occasion. The atmosphere encouraged participants to fully immerse themselves in their roles as diplomats and negotiators.

Co-organiser of the event, David Hammond, commented: “It is valuable for students from all sorts of schools to mix and to socialise, but also to have a task they work on together, which is to consider international collaboration for the future. They are playing a role but also studying international politics and current affairs by doing this. It’s great for confidence building!”

Jumela (Year 8) from Reading Girls’ School enthused “It was very interesting to see everyone in such a formal setting I felt like I was very grown up. It really makes you feel part of something.” Theodora (Year 8) also from Reading Girls’ School added “I think the people were really nice to talk to. Everyone was really open and they wanted to talk to us, even though it was very scary for us as we were some of the youngest in the room.” Noah (Lower Sixth) from Leighton Park contributed, “It’s been really fun just interacting with all the other parties and the experience of it, and the other schools as well. I’ve picked up better communication skills and confidence, definitely.” Fellow Leighton Park students, Alejandra (Year 11), concluded, “As someone attending their first MUN, I was impressed by how confidently students stepped into the roles of diplomats. It was great to see how easily students from different schools connected and worked together. Personally, this event reminded me how much we can learn when we truly listen.”

In the first session, each country presented their position paper  in a two-minute speech. The session began with Australia and continued in alphabetical order with Brazil, Canada …Finally, the United States of America, one of the countries represented by our school, gave its speech. Each country (represented by an Ambassador and a Deputy Ambassador) presented their work and took notes to aim to identify possible allies to work with when producing a draft resolution.

After a short break, the second phase, writing a resolution where each country allied  where each country allied with those who share their beliefs, arrived at a solution to cyber attacks. Only one resolution was accepted, therefore, the different participants had to communicate with others to arrive at an agreement.

The debate was cooperative, and delegates demonstrated strong research and persuasive speaking skills. Throughout the day, all the students demonstrated exceptional public speaking, negotiation, and leadership skills. Their ability to maintain character, engage respectfully with opposing views, and strive for consensus was truly impressive.

We are looking forward to continuing to empower students to tackle real-world challenges through diplomacy, dialogue, and critical thinking. We can’t wait to host more events like this and see our students continue to grow as confident, curious global citizens.