From Diplomatic Roles to Leadership, Thirteen Students Earned Awards at the Conference
From October 3 to 5, thirty-six students from the School of the Nations participated in the 10th edition of the Brasília Model United Nations (BSBMUN X) Conference, hosted by the American School of Brasília (EAB). Competing alongside delegates from other international schools in Brasília, our students showcased their talents in diplomacy, debate, and global awareness, winning a total of thirteen awards across various committees.
BSBMUN is an event where students assume the roles of country delegates, engaging in simulations that mirror real United Nations meetings. Participants discuss and propose solutions to current global challenges, gaining hands-on experience in international diplomacy. This year’s conference focused on pressing issues such as the Sarajevo Murder Trials, Taliban restrictions on women’s rights, child labor in developing countries, and other global challenges.
Meet Our Awarded Delegates
The Security Council, a vital part of the United Nations, tasked delegates with maintaining international peace and security. At BSBMUN 2024, two Security Councils were featured—one for High School and one for Middle School. Several School of the Nations students stood out for their exceptional performances. In the Middle School Security Council, Luiza Marquardt Roriz de Almeida and Alice Miranda Cavalcanti (both Grade 8) were awarded Best Position Paper for representing China, while Sérgio Cabral Daher and Lucas Lariu Hennessey (both Grade 8) earned Best Delegation for their representation of Israel.
In the High School Security Council, Malak Masadeh (Grade 12), representing Iran, received an Honorable Mention, while Moh'd Ward Qais Marouf Shqair (Grade 11), representing Ukraine, was named Best Delegate.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which addresses global economic and social issues, also saw outstanding contributions. William Chao Wang (Grade 11) earned an Honorable Mention for representing Pakistan, and Maria Clara Felipe Brum (Grade 11) was recognized as Best Speaker for representing Afghanistan.
Crisis and Portuguese Committees
Crisis and Portuguese committees provided unique opportunities for delegates to tackle historical and national topics, often assuming the roles of key historical figures to enrich the discussions. In the Crisis Committee, focused on the Sarajevo Murder Trials of 1914, students took on the identities of individuals central to the events of the time. Ana Catarina Leite Scheidemantel (Grade 9) received an Honorable Mention, and Isabel Matos Rios Mendes (Grade 11) was awarded Best Delegate for their performances.
Similarly, in the Portuguese Committee, which debated the political crisis of 1961 in Brazil, students represented pivotal figures from this turbulent period in national history. Clara Ferraz Torres (Grade 10) won Best Position Paper for her portrayal, adding depth and context to the discussions.
A Word from Our Secretary General
Two of our students also took on significant leadership roles as Secretary General for the School of the Nations' MUN Club. Giovanna Britto (Grade 10) was invited by the BSBMUN Secretariat to serve as Chair for ECOSOC, marking a major milestone in her Model UN journey. Reflecting on the experience, Giovanna shared:
"I've attended many conferences before, but this was my first time being a chair, and I was able to oversee all the details and witness firsthand how hard our students worked to reach this moment. I'm proud to have participated in such an amazing event, especially with a record number of Nations’ students attending and excelling, bringing home so many awards."
She added, "It really helped me develop my leadership abilities. As a chair, it felt great to have people look up to me and ask for help, and it taught me a lot about staying organized while managing multiple tasks. It was an honor to be a role model for these students."
Giovanna also emphasized the long-term benefits: "I've always had a passion for international relations, and this experience is going to play a huge role for me in the future, both as a professional and a student." She concluded with enthusiasm for future events, saying, "Seeing how amazing our students were in BSBMUN, I can’t even begin to imagine how great MUNations will be in April."
Ward Shqair (Grade 11), who represented Ukraine in the High School Security Council and was awarded Best Delegate, also reflected on the impact of the conference:
"I think it's very challenging to be in a leadership role. You don’t realize how many things you have to manage when you're only participating as a delegate, but it’s very rewarding when you plan something and it goes the way you wanted."
He added, "I'm very proud of myself, and I feel that all the effort I put in paid off with the certificate." Ward highlighted the skills he developed, saying, "I think I’ve improved my ability to speak in front of a large audience and sharpened my critical thinking skills. You have to think on the spot and express your thoughts eloquently and diplomatically. It also gave me the opportunity to meet students from different schools, which made the experience even more enriching."
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