On October 25th, 20 TIS Model United Nations students and two staff coaches travelled to Xiamen, China to participate in the 8th Xiamen Model United Nations (XIAMUN VIII) conference.  The two-day conference engaged the students in diplomacy, collaboration and the occasional heated debate.

Model United Nations (MUN) challenges students to see the world through perspectives that may not necessarily align with their own.  MUN delegates must approach each topic from the perspective of their assigned country, and through research, determine how their country would respond to hypothetical situations. 

MUN is a unique and innovative program that is quickly gaining traction around the world, and TIS is no exception.  This year’s delegation was our largest and strongest yet, with a balanced mixture of first-timers and experienced veterans.

In this conference, TIS delegates worked diligently with delegates from schools from China and South Korea to find solutions to many real-world issues facing the world today.  From combating the spread of ebola in Africa to procedures for dealing with climate refugees, no topic was too daunting for the students to undertake. The students’ hard work paid off as many were able to find workable solutions and managed to get resolutions passed.  Many new friendships were made and students are already looking ahead to the next conference!