The 2024 edition of the Bond University High School Model United Nations (BUHMUN) conference at Bond University on Tuesday 7 May – Wednesday 8 May was attended by A. B. Paterson College’s delegation of 12 students. It was the eighth edition of BUHMUN and the sixth delegation that the College has sent students to for participation.

BUHMUN is Australia’s first university-run High School Model United Nations conference. The conference theme for this year's BUHMUN was centred around Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reducing Inequality and Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action. Chloe Burns, Coordinator at The Decisive Point, who mediates discussions between Defence Forces, addressed the conference in a presentation in the opening session.

• Committee 1 – Climate-Induced Displacement and Refugee Rights - Chloe Ward and Miles Britton represented Kenya.
• Committee 2 – Climate Resilience and Inclusive Development - Ramandeep Sethi and Finlay Proverbs represented Kenya 
• In Committee 3 – Mitigation Strategies and Global Responsibility - Isabelle Doo represented Kenya and Matilda Grant represented Germany.
• Committee 4 – Climate Finance and Wealth Disparities - Nicole Hu for Kenya, while Agan Pillai represented Spain. 
• On the Security Council this year, April Chen and Tiantian Shen represented France, while Jessica Harrison represented Sierra Leone. 
• Sienna Gostelow worked as a journalist covering and reporting the events as they unfolded. 

We participated with 250 students from schools around Queensland and New South Wales.

BUHMUN was a deeply affecting experience, especially considering the backdrop of climate change and its impact on refugees. While all global citizens grapple with the challenges posed by climate change, refugees are disproportionately affected, facing heightened vulnerabilities exacerbated by environmental crises. Women and children face unique challenges in these areas, particularly in developing nations, while developed nations actively work to support initiatives under development. The committees worked to draft resolutions that will be compiled and sent to the United Nations General Assembly for consideration.

This year was another highly successful year for the A.B. Paterson College delegation:

• Sienna Gostelow won the Best Journalist Award
• Finlay Proverbs and Ramandeep Sethi won the Best Delegates Award for Committee 2
• Matilda Grant won the Best Position Paper Award for Committee 3
• Nicole Hu won the Best Position Paper Award for Committee 4
• The A.B. Paterson College delegation received an inaugural Secretary-Generals’ Outstanding School Award.

I am extremely proud to present the Secretary-Generals’ Outstanding School Award to Ms Sheehy on behalf of this wonderful 2024 delegation.

Information on the event is available at the link below:

https://buhmun2024.my.canva.site/