A group of Grade 10 and 11 students got the incredible chance to attend the 22nd annual Johannesburg Model United Nations (JoMUN XXII) conference at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) from October 3rd to October 5th. Students from Ghana, Mozambique, Cameroon, South Africa, and Namibia were among those who attended the event, which had as its topic ´´Peace in
Our Time: Exploring Boundless Opportunities Through Cooperation and Concession´´. As Namibia´s sole school participating, we took part in discussion as delegates of Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and France in a number of committees, such as the Security Council, UNESCO, UNICEF, and ECOSOC. Every committee tackled important worldwide concerns, such as combating piracy in the Red Sea, developing long-term solutions for fair and equitable education, and investigating ethical solutions for lunar and asteroid mining.
Before the conference began, we got a chance to explore the city of Johannesburg, which was a nice change from the quiet and boringness of Windhoek we’re used to. We visited places like Monte casino and Fourways Mall, where we could unwind, have fun, and spend time with each other. The energy of the city, with its bright lights and bustling atmosphere, gave us a fresh perspective and helped us bond as a team. These fun outings were the perfect way to prepare for the intensity of the conference. Compared to last year, we performed exceptionally well at JoMUN. Five of our school´s delegates (Kazuki, G11, Naeem, G11, Kiran, G10, Marta, G10, Benjamin, G10) showcased their diplomatic abilities, pro-activity, and their lasting impression during the debate and lobbying sessions, earning them Honourable Mentions for their exceptional contributions in their respective committees.
For us, the conference high point was when one of our delegates (Leah, G10) took home the UNOOSA committee´s Best Delegate award. This esteemed honour symbolised her strong diplomatic abilities and the greater impact she had on the outcome of the discussions of the committee. Overall, we did a fantastic job representing Namibia and our school; we demonstrated the strength of teamwork, critical thinking, and determination on an international stage.
At the conference, we practised critical skills like writing speeches, arguing, drafting resolutions, and lobbying with the other delegates. Presenting our speeches to an international audience pushed us to communicate and present ourselves confidently and clearly. During lobbying sessions, we learned how to work with students from different schools, merging ideas and reaching compromises in an attempt to represent everyone’s interests. We learnt how to remain composed under pressure, think of ideas and respond quickly, and adjust to new problems thanks to the intense nature of the debates, particularly during General Assembly crisis sessions. It was an intense conference, but it was also a lot of fun.
During our late-night brainstorming sessions at the hotel, we laughed a lot and made new friends from Ghana, Mozambique, and Cameroon. The friendships and
connections we formed made the experience even more rewarding.
If you’re thinking of attending JoMUN next year, we definitely recommend it. It’s a unique mix of hard work and fun that helps you grow as a leader while broadening your understanding of the world and its issues. It is almost guaranteed you’ll leave with new skills, lasting memories, and new friendships that cross borders. JoMUN is the perfect chance to challenge yourself, represent WIS and Namibia, and begin to make a real difference in our world.
Nazeema Rattansi
MYP Science,and DP Biology/ESS.
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