By Nawaal Qazi, Head Girl and BGS Secretary-General at BGS MUN
You might avoid politics in small talk to steer clear of controversy, but at BGS MUN 2025 we welcomed it.
On Friday 13 June, we hosted our third Model United Nations (MUN) conference, welcoming delegates from five schools: Stephen Perse Foundation, Caroline Chisholm School, Bedford Modern School, Bedford School and Bedford Girls’ School.
MUN is a simulation where students take on the roles of world leaders and diplomats to debate global issues and find solutions. It’s become a much-anticipated annual tradition at BGS.
Preparation began months in advance, with a clear focus on delivering our best conference yet. Sonia Erwirg (Lower Sixth), one of my co-general secretaries said: “What many attendees might not realise about this conference is just how much organisation, coordination, and behind-the-scenes dedication went into bringing BGSMUN 2025 to life.
“We had to ensure that delegates received study guides, placards were printed, folders assembled, and classrooms transformed into international meeting halls in time for the conference. Planning a large-scale student-led event is no small feat. We faced unexpected hurdles, but careful planning, constant communication, and a shared sense of purpose kept us on track.”
After all the anticipation, the day finally arrived, and it went exceptionally well.
In my opening speech, I introduced this year’s theme: The Price of Life. We chose it because questions about the value and cost of human life remain central to global discussions. Each committee explored this from a different perspective:
• Crisis Committee
• UNODC – Combating Child Recruitment by Drug Militias
• WHO – Legalisation of Euthanasia and Global Health Policy
• WTO – Tariffs on Essential Goods
• UNHRC – Human Rights and Peaceful Protests
Our guest speaker, Sarah Owen, MP for Luton North, was unfortunately unable to join us in person as she was in Parliament for the Assisted Dying Bill. Instead, she sent a video message, encouraging us to truly listen to one another. Then the conference got underway.
Lively debate, thoughtful discussion, and humour filled the day. It was brilliant to see such open, honest conversation.
Safa Akbur (BGS, Year 10) reflected on the “fun and engaging” nature of the conference, saying she felt “it was a really good experience.”
Zara Saleem (BGS, Year 10) shared that, as a less experienced delegate: “There was much less pressure than I usually feel. The chairs were great at guiding us and organised the conference in a way that made sure everyone knew what they were doing and could enjoy themselves.”
Izaan Aris (Bedford School, Lower Sixth) added: “As a Chair from a different school, there was no awkwardness at all in bringing together students from so many places – I felt we could all talk easily because everyone was just as passionate and excited as each other.”
By the end of the day, the atmosphere was buzzing. Congratulations to every delegate for making it through a full day of heated debate, pun intended.
This was my first time as Secretary-General, stepping away from my usual delegate role to help oversee the event. What stood out most was seeing delegates using their research to negotiate and draft resolutions on complex issues – showing the mindset of true problem-solvers.
In my closing speech, I reminded everyone that MUN is more than just an enjoyable day. Young people are often made to feel that real change is out of our hands, left to politicians, lawmakers or global institutions. But none of these can act without our involvement.
We are the next generation, inheriting today’s decisions. Political awareness isn’t just important, it’s essential.
Seeing so many articulate, passionate delegates tackle these issues gave me real hope. They didn’t shy away from difficult questions, they faced them, challenged them, and aimed to do better.
On Friday, we didn’t just debate. We practised diplomacy, the kind that can, and must, change the world.
