Academy MUN demonstrates student leadership | Aga Khan Academies

Academy MUN demonstrates student leadership

20 November 2017
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 participated in the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad MUN from 11th to 13th November. 
 
Diploma Programme students organised last weekend’s AKAHMUN event to hone their debate skills. Priyodarshini Das, the Academy’s Model United Nations coordinator, commented, “I think the most important aspect was the leadership quality of the students, as it was an entirely student-led conference. These students really took initiative.” 
 
Students were divided into seven committees to discuss issues such as human rights, nuclear disarmament, and political ideologies. 
 
The participants were well-prepared for the MUN, since they had taken part in a special delegate training session on 1st November. At the training session, senior students went over the rules of procedure and the agendas for each committee with the juniors. 
 
During one of the historic security council sessions, Priyo was particularly impressed by the interest students showed towards the Suez Canal Crisis. “The students also responded very well to the crises that the committee chairs designed," she added. 
 
Additionally, grade 12 students Secretary General Moiz Rajwani and Director General Zia Chapman spent hours with each committee to ensure adherence to the rules and procedures. 
 
All in all, 45 awards were given to outstanding delegates and members of the International Press. 
 
“One of the best moments was the presidential speech I wrote myself," said Saloni Panjwani of grade 12, delegate to the United States at AKAHMUN. At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to defend myself well against the other delegates’ points, but I did. It made me think I really could become a delegate. Maybe one day I will even study international relations.” 
 
Writer: Jennifer Tubbs