On Friday, 18 October, and Saturday, 19 October, Vienna International School proudly hosted a Model United Nations (MUN) conference, organised by Grade 12 students Maria Feliziani, Ziva Pilgram, and Daria Yakovenko as part of their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project. This student-led initiative brought together around 60 participants, including VIS students from Grades 8 to 10 and ten delegates from the International School Herzogberg.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from VIS Director Dr. Zuman, followed by a keynote speech from Ms. Denita Vajzovic, a senior officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Ms. Vajzovic shared her experiences as a humanitarian officer, providing inspiring insights into her work supporting people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. Her address set the tone for the entire event, emphasising the importance of diplomacy, empathy, and action in addressing global challenges.
Delegates assumed the roles of representatives from various countries and engaged in passionate debates on critical global issues. The Security Council deliberated on the conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while the Human Rights Committee tackled the protection of human rights in conflict zones and during protests. Participants displayed impressive research, public speaking, and negotiation skills, making the conference a rich learning experience and an excellent preparation for upcoming MUN events, including the highly anticipated January conference at the UN headquarters in Vienna.
This event emphasised the dedication and initiative of the student organisers, who successfully created a platform for meaningful dialogue and skill development, while reaffirming VIS’s commitment to empowering students to tackle complex international issues.