Model United Nations (MUN) challenges pupils to step into the shoes of diplomats, navigating global issues with careful negotiation, persuasive debate and strategic alliances. This year, 14 Oundelians represented both Ethiopia and the United Kingdom at the Felsted MUN 2025, engaging in debates across a range of committees, from human rights and disarmament to ecology, health and security.
With half of our delegates receiving Commended or Highly Commended awards, the event showcased their ability to think critically, collaborate effectively and engage with real-world diplomatic challenges. We caught up with a couple of pupils to reflect on their experience.
Stepping onto the minibus was a relief, and the hum of the engine as we set off lulled us all into silence. The only other sounds were the quiet rustle of pastry wrappers, the soft crunch of a croissant and the sporadic tapping of fingers on a Surface screen as someone skimmed through resolutions one last time. Our AirPods were in, heads rested against windows, eyes flickering between the fogged-up glass and the documents that would soon define our debates. It was a peaceful morning filled with quiet anticipation.
Felsted greeted us warmly, both figuratively and literally. After stepping off the minibus and onto the school grounds, we were ushered towards a large dining hall, where the first order of business was collecting our lanyards and notebooks. The lanyards, dangling with official-looking name cards, proudly displayed our assigned countries and committees; mine read UK UNICEF, a title that felt both important and slightly intimidating. The little notebooks would soon prove invaluable for scribbling hurried notes to other delegations and making last-minute amendments.
From there, we were swiftly guided into a large hall for the opening speeches. The sheer number of pupils crammed into the space was impressive and slightly overwhelming. Blazers pressed against blazers, chairs squeezed far too close together; if international diplomacy failed us, we were at least getting a masterclass in personal space management. But the scale of it all was undeniably inspiring. Hundreds of pupils, each ready to argue, negotiate and defend their nation’s interests, were all gathered under one roof.
The guest speaker, someone who had actually worked within the UN, took the stage first, offering insights into the real-world complexities of diplomacy. Then came a speech from the Upper Sixth Felsted pupils running the event who, despite looking far too put-together for a Sunday morning, did an impressive job setting the tone for the day ahead.
And then, just like that, the crowd scattered. What had once been a packed hall buzzing with collective anticipation suddenly fragmented as we dispersed into our individual committee rooms. Gone was the comfort of sticking together as a school delegation. Now we were on our own, facing a day of debate, diplomacy and (hopefully) some well-timed points of information.
Stepping into the committee room, I was met with rows of neatly arranged single desks, each marked by a small placard bearing the name of a nation. It had the air of a high-stakes examination hall, except instead of solving equations, we’d be solving the world’s problems (or at least attempting to). I found my seat between Ukraine and the USA, greeting both delegates with a smile and some small talk, the usual mix of polite introductions and joking about how unprepared we all might have felt.
As the murmurs of delegates settling in filled the room, I turned my attention to my fast-track resolution, which would be the first to be presented. Having worked on it back at School, I already knew it inside out. It proposed the creation of a Multilateral Aid Stabilisation Fund, supported by escrow mechanisms, to prevent abrupt aid cuts that could cripple humanitarian efforts. Alongside this, it called for targeted child benefit schemes, skills-based education and microfinance initiatives to empower families trapped in poverty.
When my name was called, I stood up and made my way to the front. I was nervous, but once I started speaking, I found my rhythm. I laid out the key points of my resolution: why addressing child poverty required more targeted welfare, the importance of skills-based education and how the Multilateral Aid Stabilisation Fund would prevent sudden aid cuts. As I wrapped up, I could see some delegates nodding along, others making notes; reassuringly, they were paying attention.
Then came the Points of Information. The first placard to shoot up belonged to China. Their delegate raised concerns about national sovereignty and questioned whether this fund was simply another Western financial tool. I gave a polite smile and explained that the fund would be managed through neutral third-party audits, and recipient nations would have a seat at the table, so, in short, no, this wasn’t some sneaky Western power play. A few delegates exchanged glances. China didn’t look entirely convinced, but they didn’t push further.
Next came China’s proposed amendment, which would have watered down the entire resolution. The first vote was uncomfortably close, but after a second round, where I pointed out how their amendment would essentially render the fund useless, the tide turned. Delegates who had hesitated earlier now raised their placards against it and the amendment failed.
Finally, we voted on the resolution itself. I held my breath as placards went up, nearly unanimous. Even China voted in favour.
The chair gave me a small nod and announced, “Clapping is now in order.”
Applause broke out across the room, and I grinned as I sat back down. Not bad for the first resolution of the day!
It was 7.45am on a Sunday morning. On any other Sunday we’d probably still be asleep, but not today. We were off to the Felsted School MUN conference, the first experience for many of us. As we left Oundle and our minibus drove quietly through the fog-covered Cambridgeshire countryside, the atmosphere was understandably muted given the early hour.
Upon arrival at Felsted, we received neatly prepared notebooks and were told we had some time to prepare. As the human rights delegate for Ethiopia, I faced the task of debating a rather confused resolution proposing a change to national abortion laws. First, however, there was a brief opening ceremony featuring a guest speaker who had worked with the United Nations. Following his insightful remarks, I debated this controversial resolution and, after an entire morning (and part of an afternoon) of vigorous discussion, successfully prevented it from passing.
Next, we debated the topic of prisoners’ rights to vote. This resolution aligned more closely with Ethiopia’s stance. I managed to introduce and pass an amendment before ultimately voting in favour. The resolution passed!
After the day’s conference ended and a quick refreshment break, we headed off to the glamorous Braintree Premier Inn. We then made our way to the bowling alley, where impressive scores from Dr Meisner and others set the tone for the evening. Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner at Nando’s, savouring various dishes with varying degrees of spice, topped off by soft-serve ice cream, before returning once again to the Premier Inn for a restful night ahead of a busy day.
The following morning, we returned to the conference for the second and final day. Upon arrival, we discovered our committees had merged. My human rights committee now collaborated closely with the ecology and economic committees, aiming to pass a resolution on the use of AI in human rights work. Following an intense morning of debate, the motion ultimately passed.
We then moved into the final part of the conference, the simulated crisis scenarios. After discovering the Panama Canal had been occupied by an unidentified paramilitary group, we rushed around lobbying other nations, striving for the best possible outcome from Ethiopia’s perspective. Despite a dramatic revelation that the paramilitary troops had been funded by the US, we passed a resolution to deploy UN Peacekeeping troops and provide aid and additional support.
We returned to Oundle slightly fatigued but pleased with our achievements. Thank you to Felsted and to everyone who helped make this such a memorable two days.
