The first Yale Model United Nations Singapore conference in Southeast Asia was held from 15 to 17 March 2024. Organised by the student team at Yale, it was hosted at the Canadian International School (CIS).
400 registered student delegates assumed the roles of global leaders. They came from more than 20 schools around the world including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, The Philippines, Taiwan and as far as Canada.
Singapore’s Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan addressed the delegates at the opening ceremony of the conference. He also engaged them in dialogue before the conference commenced.
Highlights of the CIS Yale Model United Nations Singapore conference
During the three days, delegates at the conference gathered in the TK Wing of the Canadian International School’s High School Building to participate in meaningful discussions and debates, and propose creative solutions to global issues. These included:
- Access to Clean Water and Sanitation (WHO)
- Addressing the Humanitarian and Repatriation Challenges of the Rohingya Crisis (SPECPOL)
- Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa (CCPCJ)
- AI and International Security (UNSC), and
- Operation Tiderace 1945
CIS students chaired topics such as human trafficking and the reintegration of refugees into society. They also debated strategies for nuclear disarmament and the role of agricultural subsidies in improving access to food in developing nations, among other topics.
Another highlight of the programme was a panel discussion with the Yale team on general advice surrounding university admissions. These students are just a few years out of high school themselves so they were able to provide great insights.
After the programmes of the day, the students informally gathered on their own for social activities. This enabled them to form stronger bonds with each other outside of the Yale Model United Nations Singapore programme.
Hear from CIS Grade 11 students who participated in Yale Model United Nations Singapore
Ishaan P. (in the advanced level committee representing Japan)
“Yale Model United Nations is really about fostering communication and dialogue to meet a common goal. This experience has helped me in growing my communication skills. My most memorable experience of this event was meeting new people while strengthening the bonds I already have. With so many people participating from so many different walks of life, it was refreshing to meet new people from different schools within Singapore as well as from abroad. Some had flown in from Canada just to attend.”
Keira G. (part of the Operation Tiderace committee, representing France as General Leclerc)
“The Yale Model United Nations Singapore experience has definitely helped me develop my skills as a public speaker. Since this was an international conference, most delegates were very well prepared. To meet their level, I had to put in extra effort into learning each delegate’s role and historical background in order to make effective arguments on the floor. My favourite experience was meeting students of my age from all around the world. Not only was this great networking, we were also able to learn about different ideas and beliefs that the students had from across the world.”
Ada J. (Assistant Director of the conference and on the committee for Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice)
“This was my first conference as a chair and working with the Yale students was a brilliant way to learn. My counterpart Shalina Effendi from Yale was the director and she took charge of most of the first day. Over the next two days, I gradually practiced the things she taught me such as the procedural aspects that I never knew before. Working with the Yale team behind the scenes as part of the secretariat has taught me valuable lessons about organisation. They were very welcoming and kind to learn from, which made the experience special for me. It’s made me really excited to try chairing another committee soon! I also love that we got to expose them to local Singaporean staples like calamansi juice and Milo Dinosaur whenever we went out for dinners together.”
Canadian International School is at 7 Jurong West Street 41
6467 1732 | cis.edu.sg
Read on for more about how Canadian International School students engage in purposeful play as well as the award-winning eco-garden at CIS. To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free!
