Students in UN conference

by Lesley Wilkinson
STUDENTS from Priestley College, Warrington, joined others from throughout the UK to take part in the first ever UN Conference for sixth-form students.
The Warrington eight, from the Graduate Enrichment Programme, travelled to Birmingham for the event. Students represented Germany and Angola in the mock process.
The group had to research policy resolutions on subjects such as human rights, disarmament, economics, the environment and politics before presenting to other members of the council – who in turn put the Priestley group through intense questioning.
Two of the students excelled with Jenny George and Conor Bennett receiving special prizes for their persuasive arguments from the guest of honour former BBC newsreader Martin Bell.
Senior tutor Mark Salmon said: “The trip to Birmingham to attend the first UN event of its kind was really challenging for our students but they performed excellently under real pressure.
“The opportunity to meet Martin Bell was also a highly rewarding experience and our students returned back to college buoyed by the entire process.”
Student Jenny George, a former pupil at Bridgewater High, said: “The conference was a really unique and useful experience in which we were challenged to work in a team and then negotiate with people we hadn’t previously met.
“It was also really good to hear from Martin Bell, which was the highlight of the weekend for me.”
Pictured: Priestley students with Martin Bell.