This year, a group of Vittoria Licei students lived an extraordinary experience: taking part in MUNER – New York (Model United Nations Experience Run), the United Network project that every year brings hundreds of Italian students to New York to participate in the world's largest simulation of the United Nations General Assembly.
The project — included in the PCTO curricular pathways (transversal skills and career orientation) — involved students from classes 3B and 4ACD of the European Language Lyceum and from Year 1IB of the VIS – Vittoria International School.
For several days, our students represented countries from around the world within UN committees, engaging with peers from every corner of the globe on issues such as sustainable development, resource scarcity, climate change, and employment. All entirely in English.
Marie Bernadette L., who represented Eswatini in the UNDP Committee, brings us inside the experience:
"Thursday 19 March was the first day of the conference. I have to say that when my turn to speak came, the nerves kicked in — but right after, I felt like a real UN delegate inspiring genuine change in people."
On the second day, the work intensified with moderated caucuses focused on the global impacts of scarcity, and unmoderated caucuses — open discussion sessions where delegates built pacts and alliances. The final day was devoted to drafting the resolution paper, the official document outlining the shared solutions agreed upon.
"What made this conference special was that we produced just one document, with different alliances each focusing on different issues: some on employment, some on climate change, some on fundraising. With the resolution passing successfully and the joy of the closing ceremony — where I gave a wonderful speech! — I can say I am truly proud of this experience."
Growth that goes beyond the classroom
Alongside the conference itself, the students visited the United Nations headquarters and explored New York City, bringing home not only language and diplomatic skills, but a perspective on the world that is hard to gain from a classroom alone.
This is echoed by Dr. Laura Pompeo, Regional Councillor of Piedmont and mother of Lorenzo, a student in class 3B:
"For Lorenzo it was an experience of great value — not only culturally and educationally, but also on a human level. It will remain a meaningful milestone in his personal growth."
We are proud of our students, and we would like to thank the accompanying teachers and everyone who made this adventure possible. See you at the next edition. 🌍