Sixth Form Extra Curricular: MUNGA
For the last three years Sixth Form students at The Grey Coat Hospital have participated in a Model United Nations General Assembly (MUNGA). The programme and preparation time is delivered through the tutor programme for a single lesson each week during the Autumn Term. A MUNGA is a forum where students have the opportunity to debate international, political and economic issues by taking on the viewpoint of a member country of the United Nations (UN). The programme encourages students to gain an understanding of the role of the UN and their selected country’s viewpoint on the topics to be debated.
When the tutor programme is launched form groups are initially asked to select the country they would like to represent at the MUNGA. Where possible, each form group is given their first or second choice; it is inevitable, however, that students want to represent some countries more than others! After each form has been allocated a country to represent, students are informed of the topics to be debated. Typically, two debates are prepared for and both take place on a selected day at the end of the Autumn Term. This means that roles are allocated amongst students in each tutor group, as half of the group is likely to prepare for and research one of the topics while the other half will research the other topic. These separate debates are known as ‘committees’ and on the day of the debate students are likely to attend the committee debate they have researched and/or are speaking at.
In addition to the debate, each participating country at the MUNGA must give an opening presentation about the country they are representing. The presentation should give the audience an overview of the country, presenting information on topics such as national dress, local food/delicacies, population statistics, geographic location, political power, and voting rights, significant historical events, as well as showing an awareness of the national exports which help create the country’s wealth.
As well as the researching, presenting and debating roles, there are also more creative tasks that need to be undertaken for the MUNGA to run smoothly. Each country attending a committee debate should have its own national flag, which the country’s representative raises if they would like to speak. Students debating -known as delegates in a MUNGA- also need official headed paper, denoting the country’s flag and delegates’ names allowing the delegates of one country to negotiate with another in writing.
Guest speakers have addressed the Sixth Form as part of the format for the day at The Grey Coat MUNGA. Conservative MP, the Rt Hon John Redwood, who ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party some years ago, gave his opinions on one of the debates students were to engage in last year. Other organisations such as The United Nations Association, Civitas and The Democracy Movement have also helped with the running of the debates enormously, by chairing committees and providing valuable research material for students to use.
The MUNGA enables Grey Coat students to experience a formal debate and develop skills in researching, giving presentations, creating artistic support materials and constructing lines of argument supported by reasons. It is a unique experience and those students who engage with the material and work hard to make the day a success inevitably have comments to make in their personal statement that helps their UCAS application stand out.
MUNGA 2007 - Report from Ms McMellan
DELIVERANCE FROM DEBT AND AIDS
Africa was the subject of this year’s sixthform MUNGA. From the presentation made by Dr Mukarji, the Director of Christian Aid on 16th October to the contribution made by Bonita de Boer from AVERT on 18th December, visiting speakers had delivered information to assist delegates when addressing the General Assembly in the last week of term.
Each tutorial group chose a team of individuals to represent 2 countries so that, for instance, Mrs Demming’s form waved their flags for France and Namibia. A pair from each delegation delivered a powerpoint presentation on key facets of French / Namibian culture and economy during the morning session whilst other pairs debated in the afternoon.
The students discussing AIDS elected not to amend the resolution, that there should be free universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need it. The motion on International Debt, This House believes that, in the 21st century, Africa should stand on its own financial feet, was vigorously debated with strong partisan views from China, France, Zimbabwe etcetera. After an hour and a half of articulate discussion there were a score of potential amendments from which Miss Gibson chose 6. By a substantial majority the assembly voted in favour of the Brazilian amendment, that the interest on the debt should be cancelled and provision made for education, health etcetera.
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