VOICES

A Glimpse into Global Diplomacy: Keys School Students Shine at MMUN 2024

For Keys School Manila students Arie Cenzon and her Grade 8-9 peers, the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) conference last March 20-23, 2024 was an unparalleled opportunity to develop essential skills and gain new insights into the world of international diplomacy.

Arie's overall impression of the event? "Eye-opening" is an understatement. "The MMUN experience really helped me develop skills like communication, critical thinking, and negotiation," the Grade 8 student shared. "I even discovered hidden talents, like public speaking."

But Arie was not alone in representing Keys School Manila at this prestigious model UN. Other Grade 8 and 9 students also participated, getting an early exposure to the challenges of multinational problem-solving and cooperation.

© Arie Cenzon

More than just skill-building, the conference offered a realistic look at a diplomat's life for students of all ages. "It's a great chance to broaden your horizons while developing new abilities and meeting people," Arie added.

One session stood out as truly memorable for the Keys delegates: the United Nations General Assembly. "Being there made me feel like we were really making a difference, that our voices would be heard and our ideas could impact millions," Arie recalled. "It was empowering and made all our hard work feel worth it."

© Arie Cenzon

The diversity of perspectives shared by students from around the world proved invaluable. "I commend everyone's creative, out-of-the-box ideas," Arie said. "My biggest realization was how powerful unity can be. Students from all over united to find solutions to global issues. If applied to the real UN, so many problems could be resolved."

For Arie and her peers, developing problem-solving abilities was a key takeaway. "We face problems daily, so knowing how to deal with them is crucial for moving forward, in studies and life," she explained. The conference honed this essential skill at every grade level.

The Grade 8-9 students gained critical experience in research, public speaking, and negotiating that will benefit them in future model UN events and real-world situations requiring diplomacy.

Looking ahead, Arie and the other Keys delegates are motivated to apply the negotiation strategies and collaborative mindset from MMUN. "If we approach issues with open minds and work together despite our differences, we can create meaningful change," she reflected.

From the senior students to the youngest participants, the Montessori Model UN offered Keys School students a transformative learning experience that will resonate for years to come.