Seventy-five delegates from nine schools convened in Harrow earlier this month to debate the most pressing global issues at a Model United Nations (MUN).

John Lyon School hosted the student delegates – aged 14-18, collectively representing 36 nations – in February.

Opened with an address by the former economics editor of the Economist, Professor Richard Davies, topics of debate included regulation of the pharmaceutical industry, urban pollution, civil unrest in Hong Kong, online access as a right, the sovereignty of Kashmir and regulating UN peacekeepers.

Like last year’s inaugural event, the weekend was wholly student-led.

“They say the second time you do something it is easier and I felt that was true with this conference,” said committee member, Patrick Miles.

“I witnessed young people involving themselves in fruitful and astute debate. In my opening speech I talked about the message of creativity and, more importantly, the crucial aspect of collaborative creativity, and I felt that by the end of the weekend this message had been embraced by most of our attendees.”

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