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From January 18 to 20, AISG students went to Concordia International School Shanghai to participate in the tenth annual Model United Nations conference, along with Mr. Cheung and Ms. Herrin. Throughout the three days, students participated in heated discussions and debates discussing many relevant issues. They also got to enjoy presentations from keynote speakers such as diplomat, Kenneth Jarrett, and wildlife conserver, Paula Kahumbu.
This year’s theme was the Cause of Freedom, which was inspired by a quote by Anna Julia Cooper. Living through slavery and inequality, Cooper said that the “cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class — it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.” In the opening ceremony, CISSMUN’s secretary general, Anna W., elaborated that it is “essential to our self-definition” in order to “understand who we are and our place in this world.” She also explained that “when we consider freedom, we must remain cognizant that individual freedom is deeply intertwined with the collective freedom of social groups. […] Freedom requires a price, and it requires conscious effort.”
Eddie K., a junior who participated in CISSMUN as Deputy President in the Economic and Social Council said that “in all MUN trips, what makes it especially unique is that we are not alone. When we get home from our committees, we can talk about what made us stressed and what was funny, and that makes it better because we have someone to talk to.”
CISSMUN was the first conference for some and the last conference for others. The experience taught many participants about what it means to be a global citizen, as well as the values that change can bring when confronting challenges. We will definitely miss the seniors, but are also looking forward to the next conference later in the year!
For more information, please visit cissmun.org and traffickinginstitute.org.
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