Salopians enjoy a successful trip to Royal Russell School International MUN

Shrewsbury School MUN enjoyed four days at the Royal Russell School International MUN over half term – with it being one of the most successful trips to the event for Shrewsbury.  

The MUN, which took place in Croydon, saw Shrewsbury’s UK team and Belize team both win Highly Commended Delegation awards.  

In addition, seven of our pupils won Distinguished Delegate awards: 

• Kate R (EDH, UVI) - UK 
• Abby W (M, LVI) - UK 
• Liam G (Rt, V) - UK 
• Issy U (G, UVI) - Belize 
• Harry C (Ch, UVI) - Belize 
• Fred B (Ch, UVI) - Belize 
• Sapna C (G, LVI) - Belize 

While debate was happening in committees and the General Assembly, our Advocates, Ella B (M, UVI) and Oscar R (PH, LVI) were in action in the International Court of Justice, representing Belize against two advocates representing Guatemala from Haberdashers' Askes, with Eva G (G, LVI) sitting as one of the 12 judges there.  

Huw Peach, Teacher I/c MUN said: “This ICJ court case was a very tense one, and it has required a huge amount of preparation since last May, when Oscar and Ella applied for the positions. Unfortunately, the case didn't go their way, but they did an outstanding job presenting their evidence, challenging the Guatemalan evidence, questioning our witnesses (Abby W and Sapna C) and cross-examining the Guatemalan witnesses. The ruling was very close indeed (7 judges' votes to 5).  

“The teams were great company and excellent ambassadors for the school, and I am absolutely delighted with this performance.” 

Lem M (I, UVI) reflected on his time at the Royal Russell MUN. 

“I was representing the United Kingdom in the Security Council at the Royal Russell conference in Croydon. Being in Security Council at such a high-level conference was a great experience. The quality of debate was high as we discussed topics such as the infamous Israeli-Palestine conflict, the question of Yemen and Reform of the ICC.  

“The intensity of the debate was high as we spent more time in session compared to other committees. The debates in the Security Council were very good and intricate as we wanted to make the best resolutions that we could all agree on. The meaning of the word ‘bias’ and ‘civilian’ was debated for around 30 minutes and whether it should be ‘zone’ or ‘zones’ showing how deeply we went into detail.  

“As a P5 nation I used my veto twice, but the French and Chinese delegates used a combined 12 vetoes. Every person in the Security Council contributed top quality points and arguments in such poetic and professional ways. Overall, I really enjoyed being on the Security Council and was a big part of the debate and the Council, making sure that everything we passed would sit well with Prime Minister Boris Johnson back home in the UK. However, the only downside was that my resolution on a revised Egyptian Jordanian (three-state) solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict didn’t pass.”