On Saturday 6 October 2012 over 120 students from across the UK took part in UNA-UK's inaugural ‘UN & International Relations Masterclass’ at London Metropolitan University. Organised by UNA-UK and the British International Studies Association (BISA), this event sought to inspire 14-18-year olds to study international relations and pursue an international career.
Students participated in a range of activities, including listening to world-class lecturers from the UK’s top universities such as Professor Peter Willetts and Dr Dan Plesch. Students also had the opportunity to quiz international relations graduates who now have established careers, and to network with UNA-UK and BISA staff members and interns.
The most popular part of the day was a ‘miniMUN’, designed specifically to give students a taste of UN diplomacy. Model United Nations - simulations of UN meetings and conferences - can last for days and often require weeks' of preperation. At the masterclass, students were tasked with agreeing a resolution on nuclear energy in just an hour, with no preparation at all - a glimpse of policy-making on the hoof.
Students rose to the challenge admirably. Phil Mulligan, UNA-UK’s Executive Director, said: “The standard of debate today demonstrated the intelligence and enthusiasm with which this generation approaches the global issues that will one day be in their hands – the future will be a better one if they pursue this passion.”
This event was part of UNA-UK’s Generation United Nations programme, which seeks to equip teenagers with an interest in global affairs, advice on international careers, and life skills such as public speaking and negotiation.
