BHSMUN 2021

This year, our Model United Nations delegates have resiliently navigated the difficulties of online conferences and the stress of this academic year and won an unprecedented number of awards – an amazing achievement of which we are all extremely proud! 

Our team has also been hard at work planning our 5th annual BHSMUN conference, which is taking place this weekend (on Zoom). We are very excited to be hosting over 170 delegates from over 20 schools in 6 different countries. 

We would love it if BHS teachers, staff, and parents could join us for our opening ceremony, at which we are honored to have journalist Raghida Dergham as our guest speaker, as well as our closing ceremony where we will wrap up our conference and announce the awards. (The meeting links have already been sent via email.)

Below are some excerpts from our conference guide including welcome messages and committee descriptions.

Welcome Messages

It gives me great pleasure to welcome MUN Delegates to Brummana High School online for our annual Model United Nations Conference. The United Nations was established after the Second World War in order to find a forum whereby countries around the world could settle their differences peacefully. This year’s conference is being held online owing to the continuing difficulties caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic which has presented the world with many fresh challenges. Life however continues and those involved in the Model United Nations are well aware of the significance of carrying on rather than giving up. The world needs young people to debate and consider the contentious issues which preoccupy us today, the resolution of which, peacefully and through discourse, will result in a happier tomorrow for all of us. Those participating in this year’s Model United Nations Conference are next year’s leaders of society and it is to them that we turn now. Let debate and negotiation begin and let better mutual understanding and tolerance be the outcomes.

JND Gray
Principal of BHS

Dear Future Delegates,
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations where students play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world issues with the policies and perspectives of their assigned country. Students can attend Model United Nations conferences around the world gaining first-hand experience and knowledge of today’s issues. This year’s MUN experience promises to break the barriers of tradition in our first ever online simulation. In taking part in this simulation, BHS hopes to provide the experience of conflict resolution, peace building, and the attention to today’s modern complex dilemmas that world leaders and countries continue to grapple with. A special thanks goes out to all the students, faculty and staff who have supported and continue to do so for this unprecedented year. As we look to the future of the MUN experience at BHS, we look to build on previous successes and carry on the tradition of excellence Brummana is known for! On behalf of Brummana High School, I look forward to being able to welcome you all and listen to how tomorrow’s world will solve today’s problems!” Fareed Halabi Student Leadership Director This year, unlike every other year Brummana High School will be holding its annual MUN conference Online. The Covid 19 outbreak stopped many non-vital activities throughout the world and restricted the global society to urgent matters only. For us at Brummana High School, having young leaders of the future debating and resolving world problems is an urgent matter. For us at Brummana High school, exhibiting tolerance and nurturing openmindedness and balanced policy making is a vital matter! On the behalf of Brummana High School, I would like to welcome young ladies and gentlemen from all over the world to come join us in a pivotal weekend to explore the leader within you. A weekend where virtual roundtables will be created to solve real life issues, but most importantly to make you, young leader of tomorrow experience a learning journey like no other! Together we will continue the Legacy, and together we lead no matter what the circumstances are!

Jina Abou Merhi
Student Leadership Director for BHSMUN

Conference Logistics

Schedule: Time zone: (UTC+2)

Day 1 – April 17
9:00 – 10:00 Opening Ceremony
10:00 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 1:00 Committee Sessions
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch Break
2:00 – 5:00 Committee Sessions

Day 2 – April 18
10:00 – 1:00 Committee Sessions
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00 Committee Sessions
4:00 – 5:00 Break
5:00 – 6:00 Awards Ceremony

Payment: The 5th BHSMUN conference is free of charge for all participants.

Committees and Topics

General Information:
– No position papers are required for BHSMUN.
– Our limited committees will be filled on a first come first-serve basis.
– Our committee sessions and ceremonies will all be held on Zoom.

Committee #1: United Nations Environmental Program
Topic: Restoring Marine Ecosystems for Sustainable Development
Grades: 7-8-9
Limit: Unlimited

Description: Delegates will represent different countries in the United Nations and will be expected to tackle the 14th Sustainable Development Goal – Life Below Water – which focuses on the sustainable management of water, animals, minerals, and plants in marine ecosystems. This encompasses addressing the rapid degradation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity as a result of industrial ocean pollution, overfishing, and unsustainable tourism practices. In addition to mitigating environmental risks, delegates are advised to consider the protection of livelihoods of communities depending on marine resources by promoting food security and building the capacity of third-world countries to lead sustainable futures. Resolutions must therefore stem from environmental, social, and economic aspects, while maintaining a logical balance between environmental conservation and economic prosperity and bearing in mind the looming 2030 deadline of the SDGs and the risk of irreversible climate change.

Committee #2: General Assembly 3
Topic: Reversing Institutional Racism
Grades: 9-10-11-12
Limit: Unlimited

Description: Delegates will represent different countries in the United Nations and tackle racism domestically as well as globally, and in various institutions including education, criminal justice, labor, civil law, healthcare, immigration, and urbanization. They are expected to have an understanding of the history of immigration, slavery, and racial discrimination in their own countries as well as others. Resolutions must be and focused on tangible long-term and short-term change rather than social awareness. This can include constitutional reform, policy changes, and the introduction of new standards and consequences for racial equality in various institutions. Crises can include protests and movements, riots, or assassinations of important figures.

Committee #3: Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Social Organization
Topic: Establishing Opportunities for Arab Youth (SDG 4)
Grades: 9-10-11-12
Limit: 44 delegates

Description: Delegates will represent the different countries in the Arab League and work towards ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for Arab youth, regardless of their religions, genders, or socio-economic backgrounds. Delegates are expected to have an understanding of the current political climate in the region and the implications of civil wars, political conflicts, economic crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic on action plans. Resolutions should revolve around empowering the Arab youth both in the short and long-term, through economic, educational, social, and cultural changes. This committee will allow double delegation if delegates wish to work with a co-delegate of their choice. Both delegates must fill out one registration form and place both their names under the “Name of Student” section, so that they will be assigned the same country. For example, (Delegate A – Delegate B).

Committee #4: 2020 US Presidential Debate
Grades: 10-11-12
Limit: 32 delegates

Description: Delegates will represent the Democratic and Republican candidates who ran for the US presidential elections in 2020. The debate will be separated into different sections including healthcare, the economy, the US-China trade war; and each representative would have a few minutes to present their arguments. The chair will introduce each segment and play the role of the moderator. After each segment, the delegates will vote for another candidate and the votes would determine which candidates will represent their party at the final debate. Towards the end of the conference, instead of writing a draft resolution, each party will work together to write down the policies they want to implement for each issue.

Committee #5: Historical Crisis Committee
Topic: Economic Relief During the Great Depression
 Grades: 10-11-12
Limit: 18 delegates

Description: Delegates will represent prominent political figures and work together to devise strategies for economic relief during and post the Great Depression. They should therefore have a clear understanding of economic concepts such the stock market, international trade (tariffs, quotas), interest rates, trade agendas, relations at the time, etc… While attempting to minimize the domestic and global economic losses of the Great Depression, delegates will be faced with crises that have economic consequences such as the assassination of important historical figures which induce political tension, the imposition of tariffs, and market crashes. The conference will be set on October 30, 1929, and resolutions must therefore be devised appropriately.