Baroness Valerie Amos Visit

Pupils from Wood Farm School host Baroness Valerie Amos, top British diplomat and master of University College, to see them debate world issues.

One of Britain’s most distinguished diplomats joined pupils at Wood Farm School, who each week form a model Security Council to debate the big issues facing the world. Baroness Valerie Amos was UN Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs, British High Commissioner for Australia, Leader of the House of Lords and is now Master of University College.

Wood Farm prides itself of being a “world school”, preparing pupils with both the human and academic skills to have a happy, fulfilled future in a complicated 21^st century world. The ability to connect with others from different backgrounds and to talk through disagreements without conflict are vital lessons.

The Model United Nations group was founded by fourteen pupils in Year Six with the help of teacher Nick Stanton, a former UN diplomat. Each week the group meets and divide into pairs to role-play as different members of the UN Security Council. Each week they research and debate one big issue, and through dialogue, achieve agreement on future action. This term, they’ve considered how to respond to natural disasters, how to protect endangered animals, how the UN should be organized, and most recently, how to protect the oceans.

Baroness Amos listened to the debate and then took questions. “They’re so articulate. When you look at what’s happening in the world, there’s so much negativity. It’s been the most incredible hour, to come into a classroom where children were talking through so many different ideas. They had strong opinions but disagreed in very positive ways. They told me some great ideas for future debates on what’s wrong with the world.’

Mr Stanton, who himself worked for the UN, said “We were thrilled to have Baroness Amos visit our Model UN, which we think might be the newest Model UN in the world! Before I was a teacher, I worked for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, so I’ve got experience working on global issues. Our pupils have connections with countries all over the world. They’re also incredible scholars and diplomats. I’m sure we’ve got some future ambassadors in our classrooms right now.”

Justin, a Year 6 student, represented France in a debate on protecting the oceans. “I enjoyed trying to think what France would do to protect the oceans, then listen to other countries and their ideas. I’ve learned lots about the world already and can now debate big problems with other children.”

Lucrecia, who chaired the debate, said, ‘Baroness Amos was so nice. She told us lots about her work and it was really interesting hearing about all her different jobs. She has done so much. She was such an inspiration and I didn’t even mind missing breaktime!’

Baroness Amos says that “Model UN” programmes have a vital role in schools. “They give  young people a structure to think about the big issues facing the world, but also how they can do something themselves. The children came up with their own ideas. Right at the top was learning more, talking to friends and thinking about how to help them to understand. They were absolutely brilliant.”