By: Christopher Nathan Mulyadi, Sean Dylan Herlyanto, and Sam Francis Lokanata (Secondary 3 Peace)

 

The 4th Bina Bangsa School Model United Nations was hosted by BBS Bandung onsite on 24-25 February 2023. With more than 250 delegates and guests from the different BBS campuses across Indonesia, it aimed at developing not just the communicative competence of the students, but also their leadership skills through a formal discourse, simulating that of the United Nations.

 

 

The opening programme was graced by the Guest of Honour, Ibu Dewi Nuraini, S. Pd, MM, M.Sc, PhD, Young Expert Public Relations Manager. With its theme: 'The End of Adversity: A Great Vision in a Post Pandemic World', the school aimed to instill in all delegates the need to work together to solve pressing global issues, in order to attain and experience a better global community.

 

This year's BBS MUN had 6 Councils: World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Interplanetary Olympics Committee (IOC), and CRISIS Committee. Through these Councils, the students were able to engage with other delegates through meaningful discussions and debates which would bring them to deeper awareness and understanding of global issues. In today's interconnected world, it is important for students to develop an understanding of global issues and to be able to communicate and collaborate with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

 

 

Sam Francis, a delegate from BBS BDG said, "The MUN was an opportunity for me to use my voice and make a difference. I wanted to put into use the skills that I got from the Harvard Model Congress Asia (HMCA) and I was amazed to see how far my skills had progressed since the HMCA days.

 

The BBS MUN was not just an academic exercise. It was a chance for the students to learn about different cultures, appreciate different perspectives, and develop empathy for others.

 

As one of the participants from BBS BDG, Sean of Sec 3 Peace, said, "I learned so much about different countries and their stands on different issues, and I also learned how to work with people who had different opinions from me. As this is my first time joining MUN, I encourage others to invite their friends to join this wonderful experience."

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Closing Ceremony was particularly exciting as it was where the efforts and superb performance of the students were recognised. For each Council, there were awards given: Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, Honourable Mention, Verbal Commendation, Best Position Paper, and Best Directive. Beyond these awards, the skills that the delegates had developed throughout the event, such as public speaking, negotiation, and compromise, were their actual rewards and takeaways.

 

 

 

During the 2-day conference, some classes got the chance to showcase their talents through the Speech Choir presentation. The Secondary 4 and the Secondary 2 classes performed a fantastic interpretation of 'The Highwayman' and 'An Essay on Man' respectively.

 

The Lower Primary students also had their special participations by sharing their special wishes for a Greener and Better Bandung City to the Guest of Honour. They also handed to the said guest all the wishes of their classmates. The rest of the Lower Primary classes also made all the delegates feel special through their song and dance when the delegates were arriving to BBS Bandung.

 

 

Apart from the committee sessions, another reason why many students were eager to participate in this MUN was the Social Night. This year's Social Night was held at Grand Pullman Hotel's ballroom with the theme: A Magical Night in Wonderland. All the students entered the building in their elaborate costumes after a long and tiring day of Council Sessions in school.

 

 

The sounds of clattering plates and metal utensils soon filled the air as the delegates rushed to claim their fill of the night's banquet. The night would not be complete without the entertainment. After everyone's bellies had been stuffed to the brim, the Family Feud started the long night of fun, followed soon after by the Talent Show participated in by the 5 BBS campuses. To close out the act, a DJ session on the floor was held, leaving many to remember this unforgettable night.

 

 

The BBS Principals and the members of the Academic Board, the School Directors, the teachers, and the student leaders (specifically the Junior College 2 class headed by this year's Secretary General Stephen Abraham Lee and Deputy Secretary General Benevolence Zoe and their Faculty Advisors: Ms. Leslie Irang and Mr. Melvin Nifas) have worked together to put up such a big program for the BBS students, hoping that in the future, these young leaders and dreamers will become the global leaders the world needs to have!