MODEL STUDENTS IN UNITED NATIONS DEBATE

80 Year 9 students from nine Stockport secondary schools took part in a mock United Nations (UN) debate, organised by Stockport Council’s Ethnic Diversity Service and the University of Manchester and held in Stockport Town Hall’s Council Chamber.

Left: The Stockport schools taking part were: Sr. James, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Kingsway, Stockport School, St. Anne’s, Marple Hall, Hazel Grove, Priestnall.

The debate featured a mock UN General Assembly as the students discussed ‘Human Trafficking’, giving opening speeches, debating forced labour, sexual exploitation and human trafficking as a result of conflict. They then worked together to write a resolution which was voted and and passed.

The debate was the culmination of four months preparation: sixteen countries around the world were represented by teams of four students from different schools.  The teams were mentored by postgraduate students at Manchester University’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute who helped them research their country and topic for debate. 

The judges, who included Dr Tanja Muller from the University of Manchester, Alan Beswick, Stockport Council’s Head of School Effectiveness, and Councillor Shan Alexander, Executive Member for Safe & Resilient Communities, gave out awards to ‘delegates’ and ‘diplomats’ for outstanding team work and individual efforts.

Cllr Alexander said:

“The day showed the qualities of the young people in our schools; their commitment, engagement, enthusiasm and contribution to the debate about human trafficking was exemplary and the high level of public speaking was extraordinary. They brought immense credit to their schools, teachers and colleagues from the University of Manchester who oversaw the project. Well done to everyone concerned.”

The Model United Nations … supports young people to develop life-skills such as critical thinking, decision making, active citizenship, research, conflict resolution, communication and negotiation.   By working in mixed-school teams with students from other schools, and working with a postgraduate student mentor, the young people have the opportunity to meet new people and build new relationships with other young people in Stockport.

The Stockport schools taking part were: Sr. James, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Kingsway, Stockport School, St. Anne’s, Marple Hall, Hazel Grove, Priestnall.