Student Diplomats Tackle Global Challenges

Shanghai American School recently hosted two standout Model United Nations conferences: SHAMUN XXIV on the Puxi campus and SHASMUN XII on the Pudong campus. These events brought together hundreds of students, teachers, and leaders, fostering collaboration, debate, and problem-solving on some of the world’s most pressing issues.

SHAMUN XXIV saw over 400 delegates from 20 schools across China gather at the Puxi campus. Guided by the theme The Keeling Curve, students examined the intersection of science and geopolitics, addressing climate change as a borderless challenge requiring collective solutions.

Adding to the event’s impact were two inspiring guest speakers. Ms. Jill Xu, a television presenter and former lawyer, opened the conference by encouraging students to make their experience personal. She encouraged every delegate to walk away from the conference with something unique to themselves, urging students to find personal meaning in their participation, whether through new connections, perspectives, or insights that inspire their futures.

Closing out SHAMUN was Mr. Richard Brubaker, a Corporate Social Responsibility leader, who spoke about the hard work and sacrifices required to create meaningful change. He left delegates with a sense of urgency and hope, empowering them to take bold steps in shaping a better future.

 

 

Over on the Pudong campus, SHASMUN XII brought together more than 400 participants from 15 school delegations. This year’s theme, The Crystal Globe, reflected the fragility and interconnectedness of our world. Like a crystal ball, it symbolized the foresight required to predict global challenges while emphasizing the delicate balance needed to maintain peace, prosperity, and sustainability.

Throughout both conferences, delegates worked tirelessly to draft resolutions, debate policies, and reach consensus. But as Alexander Z, a senior at the Puxi campus and SHAMUN’s Secretariat General, emphasized: “MUN is more than just debate. It emphasizes negotiation and compromise to tackle real-life problems, from public health to international security.”

 

 

Both conferences highlighted the creativity, leadership, and passion of the next generation of global changemakers. From fiery debates to innovative solutions, SHAMUN and SHASMUN were powerful reminders of what students can achieve when given the opportunity to lead. These events continue to strengthen SAS’s legacy of inspiring young leaders to make a difference in the world.