St Leonards MUN Conference 2026

9 March 2026

The weekend opened with a welcome to delegates from our Head of School, Mr Simon Brian, Head of St Leonards MUN, Mrs Vanessa Samuel, MSP for North East Fife Wendy Chamberlain, and President of the General Assembly and Chair of GA3, Lana M. Delegates were encouraged to connect, speak up and make the most of the experience.

Across the conference, pupils took part in a wide range of debates on global issues, including Indigenous rights, cybersecurity and the impact of social media on politics. Discussions were thoughtful and, at times, intense, with delegates confidently presenting their views, responding to points of information and working collaboratively to develop resolutions under tight timeframes.

In GA3, debate on Indigenous rights saw strong contributions from a number of delegations, with pupils engaging in complex discussions around identity, development and inclusion. In SPECON, delegates explored the role of media in global politics, debating its power as both a tool and a risk in shaping public opinion. Meanwhile, in GA1, cybersecurity sparked particularly lively exchanges, with differing perspectives leading to some tense but engaging moments.

The conference also included moderated caucuses, lobbying sessions and resolution writing, giving pupils the opportunity to build alliances, negotiate and refine their ideas. Leadership was a key feature throughout, with pupils taking on roles such as President and Vice President within their committees.

Alongside the formal debate, the conference retained its characteristic sense of fun. ‘Delegate dares’ and the ever-popular gossip box, while social time, including a disco, allowed pupils to relax and connect with others from different schools.

Although competitive, the conference was above all a shared experience, with pupils building confidence, forming new friendships and gaining insight into global issues through discussion and collaboration.

Many thanks to Mrs Samuel for her leadership in organising the conference, and to all pupils, staff and visiting schools who contributed to such a successful weekend. The Parents’ Association also supported the event by running a pop-up café alongside Year 12 volunteers, helping to create a welcoming atmosphere across the weekend. All proceeds from the café will go towards the Head’s Wish List.

As an IB World School, opportunities like this allow pupils to apply their learning beyond the classroom, developing the confidence, communication skills and global awareness that will support them in the years ahead.

This article has been adapted from a longer piece written by the St Leonards MUN Press Team.