Fifteen students from Royal Russell School were lucky enough to be among the 3,500 students who last week attended, The 43^rd Hague International Model United Nations Conference (THIMUN). THIMUN is a five-day simulation of the United Nations for secondary school students to which the Royal Russell students were accompanied by History teacher John Piggin, who also sits on the THIMUN Advisory Board.

The object is to seek, through discussion, negotiation and debate, solutions to the various problems of the world. The theme of this conference was Crime and Punishment, looking at Elimination of International Terrorism, Promoting Rehabilitation of Criminals, International Piracy on the High Seas and Measures Against Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

The Royal Russell School delegates, representing Pakistan, successfully put forward solutions to different problems. For example Lucie wrote a resolution on the plight of the Great Apes which was supported by many delegates at the conference and was debated and passed by a large majority in both her committee and the Environment Commission. She greatly enjoyed arguing her case in front of nearly 200 fellow delegates.

The young delegates, in seeking solutions to these problems, can learn to break away from narrow, national self-interest and develop true international cooperation. The research and preparation required, the adoption of views and attitudes other than their own, the involvement and interaction with so many other young people from around the world, all combine to give the young people a deep insight into the world's problems, to make them aware of the causes of conflict between nations and to lead them to a better understanding of the interests and motivation of others. Thus, in a small way, the THIMUN Foundation, through its conferences, attempts to fulfil the aims and goals set by the founders of the United Nations in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations:

“to practice tolerance and live together in peace with neighbours.”

The students also had the opportunity to visit the International War Crimes Tribunal where they saw Radovan Karadzic on trial. As well as visiting the House of Anne Frank.