About

What is a MUNGA?

MUNGAs are held worldwide, generally involving sixth form students, to replicate as nearly as possible a session of the United Nations’ General Assembly. Typically three subjects of topical international importance are debated, and draft resolutions on each subject are tabled and amended (see below). Students run the entire event on the day, acting as President, Secretary General, and as chairs of committees, as country delegates, as press reporters and as Secretariat.

The Tunbridge Wells MUNGA

12 schools from the Tunbridge Wells / Tonbridge area take part in the Tunbridge Wells MUNGA. Each school provides a number of 3-person country delegations, one person for each area of debate. They also send students to act as press, producing newspapers of the day’s events, radio programmes in conjunction with local radio stations, and a video. Secretariat students keep the wheels oiled, copying and typing documents etc.

Students and their teachers research ‘their’ countries’ views on the subjects under discussion; the 2016 MUNGA committees were:

• Refugees and Human Rights
• International Security
• Women and Girls

Delegates’ task is to agree formal resolutions in each subject area. The day ends with discussion of an emergency debate on a topical subject, eg the situation in the Middle East.

The day is organised by a committee of local teachers and a local representative of the UN Association, and is supported by the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (providing meeting rooms, copying and IT facilities free of charge).

The Briefing Day

Prior to the actual MUNGA a briefing day is held at Tonbridge School, in late September/early October, giving the student delegates an opportunity to learn more about the issues being discussed via presentations from expert speakers, to meet each other and begin to network, and to understand what will be involved on the day of the MUNGA.