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- Students to debate global topics including Taliban rule in Afghanistan and integration of transgender people in sport and society
600 secondary school students from 36 schools from across Ireland will gather at City Hall to debate current political, economic and social issues facing Ireland, Europe and the wider world as the country’s largest Model United Nations Conference returns again for the sixth year on Tuesday January 24th.
The Davis College Model United Nations Conference (DCMUN) will continue across Wednesday and Thursday before concluding on the evening of Friday January 27th.
The four-day conference provides students with a unique mock EU parliament style platform to tackle crucial world issues, with Mallow’s Davis College, a Cork Education and Training Board school, to play host to 36 schools from across Ireland, including one school from Valladolid, Spain.
Students will debate topics of national and global significance in General Assembly, Special Conference and Security Council, as they take on the position of delegates and representatives from different countries and non-governmental organisations.
Charlie O’Callaghan, Secretary General stated that “DCMUN gives students skills that we can’t find and develop anywhere else. It is, by far, the most meaningful thing I’ve done in secondary school”.
This year’s conference will include debate and discussion on the following topics:
- Taliban rule in Afghanistan
- Drug trafficking and the threat of drug cartels to international security and stability
- The integration of transgender people in sport and society
- The prospect of the expansion of NATO
- Gun control and widespread access to weapons
Denis Leamy, Chief Executive, Cork ETB speaking at the Welcoming Speeches said:
I am delighted to join you here this afternoon for this very important conference based on the United Nations model. A conference indeed that has grown from strength to strength over the last number of years.
I see that over the course of the next few days, you will be tackling difficult issues ranging from the Israeli-Arab conflict, trade wars, child soldiers to Islamophobia. I am sure that in discussing these topics you will reflect on the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goads to be achieved by 2030. These goals include Gender equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Peace and Justice.
He also took the opportunity to commend and congratulate José Horta, Deputy Principal in Davis College, whose brainchild the conference is and thanked him for the tremendous work that he and his team have put into this fabulous venture.
For updates and images from the Davis College Model United Nations or to find out how your school can get involved next year, visit the website www.daviscollege.ie, email [email protected] or follow Davis College on Twitter @Davismallow.