Model UN

The Model United Nations (MUN) programme at Catholic University School offers students the opportunity to engage with global affairs, develop real-world leadership skills, and experience international diplomacy in action. As part of this exciting extracurricular activity, students step into the role of UN delegates, researching, negotiating, and debating some of the most complex issues facing the world today.

From topics like climate change and social justice to global security and economic development, students represent assigned countries and work within formal UN-style committees to craft and advocate for effective solutions. In doing so, they build critical skills in public speaking, research, diplomacy, teamwork, and persuasive writing.

CUS students have embraced MUN with passion and purpose.

• A group of 5th Year and Transition Year students began attending MUN events, including those at Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School and Blackrock College’s RockMUN. Their dedication and performance quickly stood out, earning both individual delegate awards and whole delegation accolades.
• With guidance from Mr. Daly, the team applied to attend the prestigious Royal Russell International MUN Conference in London, one of the largest and most competitive events of its kind. Six CUS delegates travelled to England to compete against over 650 students from 82 schools worldwide. Representing different UN committees, the students debated everything from disarmament to ecology, working long days to craft compelling arguments and navigate the complexities of international dialogue.
• Their efforts were rewarded when the team won the Distinguished Delegation Award, a major achievement that placed CUS firmly on the international MUN stage. Michael O’Boyle, acting as the team’s ambassador, gave a speech at the closing ceremony, and the trophy now sits proudly in the CUS office as a symbol of the team’s success.

As 6th Year student Jack Likely wrote:

“Hopefully, we’ve left a legacy of success within CUS that will encourage future students to compete in one of the best public speaking and debating competitions available to them, both in Ireland and beyond.“

That legacy is already taking root. A new delegation of TY and 5th Year students began attending events, winning two Distinguished Delegate awards at their first event in Mount Anville. The team continued to impress at RockMUN and SAIMUN, and are now preparing for the next Royal Russell Conference, determined to match or exceed the achievements of their predecessors.

Model UN at CUS is more than a debate club. It is a gateway to global citizenship, where students do not just study the world, they shape it.