Fifth South African United Nations Conference

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The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa’s second year Diploma Programme (DP2) students, Aleem, Bhavik, Michelle and Mirabelle returned successfully from South African Model United Nations (SAMUN) competition held in October, winning third place overall against 13 other teams. Aleem was also the recipient of the Best Diplomat Award.

The South African Model United Nations is based on the principles and format of a UN General Assembly Debate. The students act as delegates of a country to debate on current global and human rights issues. At the conference, the students get an opportunity to test their research, speaking, writing and negotiating skills. They prepare and draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and resolve conflicts.

The AKA,Mombasa team represented Brazil and debated issues of climate change, indigenous peoples rights and development.They had a tough competition against the top nine teams from South African provinces, a team from Nigeria, a team from UK and two other teams from Kenya.

The conference concluded with a South African school from Gauteng province, Opray Winfrey Leadership Academy and Meyerton high school combined, taking first place. The City of London school came in second place. The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa came in third and also won the Best Diplomat Award.

At the end of the conference, the students took an educational trip to Robben Island to learn about the history of apartheid in South Africa. Now a UN World Heritage Site, Robben Island is the location of a prision where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years.

Congratulations to our future young United Nations diplomats