On 23-25 February, the University of Sussex Model United Nations Society attended the London International Model UN conference (LIMUN).
In LIMUN’s 25 years it has certainly built prestige, becoming Europe’s biggest Model UN conference. It draws approximately 1500 university students from more than 50 countries to participate in academic simulations of UN bodies called committees.
In Model UN conferences, students represent their assigned country’s position on real world problems and solutions in debates, gaining insight into UN functions and diplomacy. As part of LIMUN’s aims to inspire young people to become leaders on global issues, diplomat guest speakers are integrated into the conference program.
The location of opening events in Central Hall Westminster – venue to the first UN general assembly in 1946 – added significance to the occasion. Students presented questions to a panel of diplomats representing Australia, Canada, Finland, Mexico, Switzerland, and Austria. A noted Sussex favourite was the controversial Mexican ambassador to the UK, who was demoted as a minister for her unauthorised use of presidential powers to delay a commercial flight for her personal lateness. The event provided us with the surprising opportunity to meet and network with, albeit by chance in the lobby. She spoke to us eagerly about her desire to hear from young people; as much as diplomats talk, she emphasises the importance of listening. She gave us business cards, saying we must meet her for tea and Mexican food. It’s uplifting to hear politicians listen to what students really want.
Throughout the conference, guest speakers and panellists repeated calls for young people to participate in politics and rise up as future leaders, specifically regarding climate change. Connected most strongly to this climate theme was a speech and Q&A by Conservative MP Alok Sharma, in which he recounted challenges as COP26 President in Glasgow, discussing his views on climate policy and the importance of global cooperation. Sussex student Jack Campbell raised a question about the link between Sharma’s former finance career and his assertion of the necessity for private investment in climate change initiatives. Sharma’s answer disappointingly repeated both facts. In light of this exchange, and upon learning previous years’ guests included a former UN General Assembly President and Angelina Jolie, the Sussex Delegation grew slightly jealous.
The eleven Sussex delegates put this inspiration into action in a range of committees: the economically focused ECOSOC and ECOFIN, regional committees Arab League and Organisation of American States, climate change-focused UNFCCC and UNEP, and specific issue committees Legal, WHO, and SPECPOL-Decolonisation. Three days built to attempting to pass resolutions, with the majority of us succeeding – an uncommon feat!”
The closing ceremony presented awards to the best-performing delegates of each committee, and further inspired with an address from a Hult International Business School director. First seeming to buck the optimistic trend, declaring “the world is a horrible, destructive, and messed-up place”, the speech then implored listeners to turn this sentiment into action, asking ourselves “will we […] do what we can to try and make the world a better place?”.
The Sussex participants feel robbed of formal recognition, but the lack of trophies was remedied by better peer recognition within our committees. This came with sweeping gains in joke ‘superlative’ awards, with highlights: Most Likely to Become a Dictator – Denmark; Most Likely to Lead a Protest – Saint Lucia; Best Hair – Tanzania; Best Dressed – multiple. A second form of recognition came with Denmark’s inter-committee fame for speeches with “Michelin star chef level cooking”, per a note passed by ‘Thailand’.
The Sussex delegation may not have won any official awards, but we certainly won the hearts and minds of the people in our fellow pretend diplomats. After all, in the pursuit of pretend world peace, surely that’s what really matters?
MUN Soc meets on Wednesdays 4:00pm-6:00pm in Fulton 214.
