This year was full of fun MUN events that PPE students were able to partake in. Some were organized by SIBMUN at the UvA, another was a collaboration with ILS as the main organizer, together with UNISCA and Merlijn. Furthermore, some were even lucky enough to step onto the debate floor in Cologne, Germany. The motions ranged from warfare and privacy to climate change, but all shared the common ground that these experiences led to honourable memories.
The debate at SIBMUN UvA consisted of fierce discussions on regulations regarding the use of autonomous weapons in war. This one‑day‑long debate may have been shorter than the usual four‑day period, but that did not take away from the amount of material discussed, with different cases and resolutions being argued for. On top of this, the SIBMUN UvA debate club was open to anyone interested and not exclusive to its own university (which one could possibly still join!).
The collaboration with ILS consisted of one evening of heated debates, which ended with a PPE student winning the Best Delegate Award. Experts were invited for both topics: one discussed whether climate‑induced displacement should be rightful grounds for international protection, and the other focused on the international prohibition of real‑time facial recognition in public spaces. Both beginners and more experienced debaters passionately took to the floor to justify their country’s stance.
Altogether, every single one of these debates helps shape your ability to speak publicly, make arguments, and be knowledgeable about international affairs. This is why, as PPE, we are proud to bring our students into contact with these opportunities.