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30 January 2018
Pupils from schools in Latvia and Iran were joined by over 300 teens from across the UK to debate some of the world’s burning issues; from nuclear disarmament to LGBT rights.
MUNHigh2018 Secretary General, 18-year-old Alexandra Thacker from Didsbury, helped organise the two-day event with a group of seven other Sixth Formers from Manchester High.
She said: “We were thrilled to welcome delegates from Iran and Latvia; they brought a distinct international perspective to the event and made it feel all the more like a real United Nations meeting. We hope that our successors at MHSG will continue to build relationships with schools worldwide and make MUNHigh an internationally renowned student conference.
“Model United Nations helps develop our understanding of the world around us and gives us a forum to discuss pressing issues that currently challenge the global community. Our theme this year was technology and we felt it was important to highlight the benefits and challenges that technological innovation brings for ours and the next generation.”
Elizaveth Lagutina (18) a Russian student from the International School of Latvia said: “It’s been great to be part of this conference and to visit Manchester! I studied really hard to make sure I do a good job in the debates, and it paid off as it’s been a fantastic experience. I love the UK and I have actually applied for a few university places to study Business and Management, so fingers crossed.”
In keeping with the theme of technology, former MHSG pupil and Class of 1995 alumna, Rosie Slater-Carr, returned to School to deliver the keynote speech. Rosie is Chief Information Officer at the British Red Cross where she is responsible for all technology including information systems, websites, apps, and ensuring data is kept safe.
Rosie is passionate about technology and a big advocate of women going into STEM subjects. She gave an insight into how important IT is when it comes to facilitating the humanitarian work that the Red Cross undertakes.
Rosie said: “I am really excited to be back at Manchester High where I first used a computer. The girls have chosen a very important topic for their conference. Applications such as Whatsapp can be utilised to educate people on how to reduce the spread of Ebola and mobile payment systems can facilitate cash to those who need it quickly after a disaster. The technologies are increasingly available to us and they can play an important part in helping people in crisis.”
