On 28 January, just ahead of Chinese New Year, 15 schools from around the world, including 6 from China and Melbourne's Methodist Ladies College, will participate in a model United Nations entitled 'Good Cop Bad Cop.' The conference is organised by Engage with China, a UK-based, educational charity. Over 140 students will debate and negotiate on the climate resolutions agreed at COP26 in Glasgow.
"The effects of global warming have no borders," says Theresa Booth, Director of Engage with China. "Without collaboration between nations we will all suffer the devastating consequences". This conference will force students to debate from the perspective of a country other than their own. In this way, they will develop a greater understanding of the complexities and sacrifices involved in tackling Climate Change"
Engage with China aims to build China literacy and develop global awareness in UK schools. This is the first major MUN event and will provide students from the UK, Australia, Ireland and China, with a rare international experience during these pandemic times. "We expect," adds Ms Booth, "that students will be enriched by the opportunity of meeting people their own age from other countries and discussing the biggest challenge of our time."
The conference host school is a UK independent school, The Grange in Cheshire. Guest speakers taking part include from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Chinese Embassy in the UK.
Engage with China also hopes that students will be inspired to influence behaviour change after the conference, by establishing an eco-project in their local community for six months.
