• The issue of the federalization of fragile states 

• The issue of sanctions and their impacts on global security and stability

As part of the Community Mentor Program, I met with Mr. Alvaro Grana, a Spanish and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teacher who has been involved in MUN for many years. He has also lived in several countries, including Vietnam, Taiwan, and the United States, and currently coaches volleyball at UNIS.

I began by asking Mr. Grana about what he enjoys most about MUN. He explained that one of the strengths of the activity is the way procedure creates distance in conflict. “MUN is designed to keep a respectful distance by using protocol,” he said, noting that this structure helps delegates debate in a more balanced and toned-down way, which ultimately de-escalates tensions. He added that he especially enjoys the process of merging and forming blocks, as it reflects the real dynamics of negotiation. When asked about the UN itself, he said that he values its role as an instrumental part of global structure, but he also questioned its future. “The veto is controversial,” he said. “In an ideal world it wouldn’t be fair, but in reality it’s a major part of politics. It created balance at the end of WWII, without it, the P5 might not have joined at all.”

Our conversation then shifted to how his experiences have shaped his beliefs. Growing up in Spain and later traveling widely, Mr. Grana said that culture is central to any belief system. For example, when he moved to the US after university, he realized that the country was very different from what he had imagined from the outside. Similarly, living in the Middle East helped challenge his assumptions about stereotypes and showed him how much perspective and bias affect the way people receive information. These experiences, he said, pushed him to think more critically about his own values and outlook.

I also asked him about classroom management and mentoring students. He compared it to being a “cat person”: “You can’t force a cat to do anything, just like you can’t force a student. It has to be shared responsibility.” He explained that while he cannot make students participate, he can create opportunities for them to succeed by establishing fair conditions, such as sending messages, giving prompts for discussion, or talking to students early so they have time to prepare. In his words: “1000 x 0 is still 0. I don’t know everyone’s backstory, but I can set parameters and be fair.”

Finally, I asked Mr. Grana for advice for MUN participants. He stressed the importance of presence: “If you come to a meeting and aren’t shy, if you take command of the space with your body language, your voice, and the way you dress, people will respect you.” He encouraged delegates to observe their teachers as models of authority, especially the way they project their voices to fill a room. He believes that projecting confidence, along with respecting protocol and staying transparent, are the keys to chairing and debating.

Overall, Mr. Grana’s insights showed me how culture, experience, and protocol all play a role in how we learn and lead. His perspective on MUN and the UN show both the value of procedure and the importance of balancing fairness with reality.

As part of the Community Mentor Program, I had the chance to meet with Mr. William Schofield, a high school substitute teacher with a very international background. Through our conversation, I learned more about his approach to teaching, his personal story, and the advice he gives to students.

Mr. Schofield described himself as a third-culture individual. Born in Thailand to a British family, he grew up in Bangkok before moving to the UK for university. He studied business management, and he chose that major because of its broad connections to many fields. Looking back, however, he reflected that he might have preferred a more specialized subject, such as environmental science since he is deeply passionate about biodiversity, wildlife photography, and travel. He also shared a memory from university, when he met the CEO of a football club at a lunch event. From that conversation, he learned that “the hardest thing is just turning up. Once you are there, everything becomes easier.”

I then asked him about his teaching philosophy and how he manages a class. He explained that the key is empathy. “The most important skill is being able to understand why a student feels a certain way and to find a respectful solution,” he said. For him, respect and kindness are essential in making students feel comfortable and included rather than isolated. At the same time, he highlighted the importance of being clear with expectations, so that students always understand what they are working toward.

Finally, our conversation touched on politics and how it has shaped his perspective. Growing up in Thailand during times of political instability gave him an early awareness of how much governance impacts daily life. Later, in the UK, he experienced the debates around Brexit and heard leaders like Jeremy Corbyn speak about issues such as healthcare and public services. These experiences, he explained, made him reflect on his own values and recognize how important it is for young people to stay engaged with political and social issues.

When looking at the SC and the UN, Mr. Schofield noted that he did not believe that having Veto power is a good idea. He stated, “It's not fair. How do you decide which countries get this power?”

Overall, my interview with Mr. Schofield showed me how his global knowledge, passions, and political awareness have shaped him into a thoughtful mentor. He encourages students not only to succeed in school but also to build empathy, show kindness, and engage with the wider world.

Greetings honorable directors, fellow chairs, distinguished delegates, and most esteemed guests,

My name is Donggyu Han, a junior at St. Paul American School Hanoi, and I am wholeheartedly honored to serve as the head chair of the Security Council in the upcoming 2025 November UNIS MUN Conference. This conference marks my 9th MUN conference overall, 5th as a chair.

The theme of the November 2025 conference, “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility,” resonates deeply with the goal of the Security Council. Sovereignty is a fundamental right that every nation must be allowed to withhold, yet it must coexist with cooperation and shared responsibility to preserve peace and stability. While debating in the Security Council, it is fundamental to explore how to balance sovereignty with collaborative action on counteracting various international crises.

The United Nations Security Council is the most fundamental organ of the UN, responsible for maintaining peace and stability. It holds the unique power to impose sanctions and address threats to global stability within its unique structure composed of P5 nations and 10 non-permanent members.

For the upcoming November Conference, the Security Council will be debating these two topics: “The issue of the federalization of fragile states” and “The issue of sanctions and their impacts on global security and stability.” The first topic is significant in the Security Council because federalization can be considered a reasonable solution to stabilize the fragile nations. However, when executed poorly, it can also lead to severe ethnic conflicts and eventual fragmentation of a nation, requiring careful balance of extent to the delegates. The second topic lies at the heart of the Security Council, as imposing sanctions is one of the key roles of the Security Council. While approaching this topic, it would be crucial for the delegates to understand how sanctions can both enforce international responsibility and inadvertently harm civilian populations.

I hope all of you will make memorable experiences during the conference, and I look forward to seeing fruitful discussions and insightful solutions. See you there!

Honorable chairs, distinguished delegates and most esteemed guests,

My name is Junyoung Cho, a senior in UNIS Hanoi, and I will be serving as the Deputy Chair for the Security Council at the November 2025 MUN Conference. This is my fifth time participating in the MUN Conference, and the second time serving as a chair. 

The theme of our conference is “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility.” What stood out to me about this theme is how it asks us to think about the balance between state sovereignty and global cooperation. The security council deals with this issue at all times: on one hand respecting the sovereignty and rights of the nations, and on the other, stepping in when peace and security are at risk. I believe that this is a significant point for our debate.

The Security Council is one of the most major organs of the UN, with the power to authorize peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, and respond to threats to global stability. These responsibilities make the committee especially meaningful, both in the real world and here in MUN.

In this conference, we will be discussing two pressing topics. The first is “The issue of the federalization of fragile states.” This topic is significant because fragile states are often the victims of internal conflict, ethnic division, and weak governance. Federalization may sometimes provide greater autonomy to regions but could have the potential risk of further division. The second topic is “The issue of sanctions and their impacts on global security and stability.” Sanctions are one of the most widely used tools, but are also controversial. They can pressure governments into compliance, but they may also negatively affect citizens and create long term instabilities. The debate on this topic is essential for having an understanding whether sanctions are an effective method for peace enforcement or whether alternative methods are needed.

That being said, I am looking forward to a fruitful debate between engaged participations from countries with distinct perspectives as the deputy chair of the Security Council.

Welcome honorable delegates, fellow chairs, and most esteemed guests,

My name is Julian Danailov-Benguernane and I am a freshman student at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. This is my second year in the UNISMUN program and my fourth conference, and I am honored to serve as the procedural chair for the Security Council at the November 2025 UNISMUN Conference. 

The general conference theme for this year, “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility,” is both current and pressing. It shows the delicate balance between national rights and international law. In the Security Council, this theme is especially relevant, as diplomacy and international law must be upheld while nations operate within their own authority.

The Security Council is one of the six key organs of the United Nations and carries the important responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. It is the only body with the authority to pass binding resolutions, authorize peacekeeping missions, and even sanction or intervene militarily. Its work is delicate, balancing state sovereignty with the urgent need to prevent or resolve conflict. I strongly encourage all delegates to carefully read the UNISMUN Manual to understand how the veto power is used in UNISMUN. Mastering the use of the veto will be essential to being a delegate in the Security Council.

The two questions for this year are “The issue of the federalization of fragile states” and “The issue of sanctions and their impacts on global security and stability.” The first addresses how nations without strong central governments face risks of instability and exploitation, as seen in cases such as Libya and Yemen. This topic forces us to reconsider how humanitarian aid and international security can be balanced. The second topic examines sanctions, a tool that can deter aggression but also trigger humanitarian crises and economic instability. Past sanctions on Iran and Russia can teach us their potential and their risks.

If I can give one tip to prepare delegates for this conference, wholeheartedly embrace the spirit of Collaboration over Competition. When you enter the gates of UNIS, remember: you carry the hopes, dreams, and voices of the world with you. Represent them boldly, lead with compassion, and let your actions inspire others to build a better future together.

Sincerely,

Julian Danailov-Benguernane