Model United Nations

Last week, Grace D, Emily W and I (Ava L) had the opportunity to represent Vietnam at the Canberra Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA). As a team, we went into the event eager to test ourselves in a new environment, meet other students, and step into the shoes of real-world diplomacy. While we didn’t come away with a prize, the experience was hugely rewarding and gave us skills and insights we’ll carry forward.

From the very start, MUNA had a strong sense of atmosphere. Each team arrived with their country’s flag, ready to debate resolutions on global issues. It was exciting to see so many students our age committed to representing nations as diverse as the United States, Russia, Japan, and small island states. As Vietnam, we knew we were speaking on behalf of a country with a unique history and growing influence on the world stage, which gave us a strong sense of purpose.

In the lead-up to the Assembly, we had worked hard to research Vietnam’s positions on issues such as climate change, human rights, and international security. This preparation gave us the foundation to confidently articulate Vietnam’s stance during debates. One of the highlights was putting this knowledge into action, sending diplomatic notes, delivering speeches, and responding directly to other delegations. Rather than being intimidating, the debates felt energising. They encouraged us to think quickly, stay flexible, and work as a united team.

A big part of the experience was the collaboration that happened outside the formal sessions. Between debates, we spent time negotiating with other delegations, drafting resolution responses, and forming alliances with countries whose policies aligned with Vietnam’s. These conversations were often just as important as the speeches themselves, as they showed us how diplomacy is about listening, compromise, and building trust as much as it is about presenting arguments.

From MUNA, we developed greater confidence in public speaking, learned how to adapt arguments under pressure, and deepened our understanding of global issues from multiple perspectives. Just as importantly, we built a strong team dynamic, encouraging and backing each other throughout the event.

Overall, representing Vietnam at Canberra MUNA was an unforgettable experience. It allowed us to apply our research in a practical setting, connect with students from across the region, and gain an insight into how international relations play out in practice. We left proud of the way we represented both Vietnam and our school, and grateful for the chance to be part of such an engaging and challenging event.

Ava L
Year 11 2025