YOUNG people from schools across Jamaica recently gathered at Hillel Academy for Hillel Model United Nations 2026 (HILMUN), a student-led conference that provided a platform for emerging leaders to debate international issues, negotiate solutions and demonstrate the power of youth participation in shaping the future.

Hosted under the theme, ‘Youth Leads. Tomorrow Follows’, the one-day conference brought together approximately 100 secondary school students for an experience centred on diplomacy, international relations, collaboration and leadership. Organised and executed by the student executive board of the Hillel Academy Model United Nations Club, HILMUN 2026 marked the school’s first-ever model United Nations (UN) conference.

Inspired by the World International Model UN experience, the initiative sought to recreate an environment in which students could represent UN member states, engage in meaningful discussions on pressing global challenges, negotiate agreements and draft resolutions.

For Co-President Gina Strachan, the conference was particularly meaningful following last year’s destructive hurricane. She explained that the executive team believed young people needed an outlet to demand and inspire change while learning how to present their ideas diplomatically.

“In every chair’s committee, delegates could find their voice through another identity and debate change in global issues that real diplomats in the UN battle with every day. Our passionate delegates were at the forefront of discussions, using quick thinking to analyse global challenges, consensus to negotiate solutions, and lead with diplomacy,” Strachan said.

Co-President Noah Bayley-Haye described the conference as an opportunity to strengthen delegates’ diplomatic skills, encourage collaboration on global issues and develop young leaders.

The conference featured six committees, each examining different international issues.

The first committee produced engaging discussions, including a memorable debate between the United Kingdom and United States delegations over an amendment referencing a previous UN resolution.

The second committee, the Economic and Financial Committee, explored economic challenges faced by countries worldwide, with discussions focused on financial stability, sustainable development and international cooperation.

The third committee examined measures to strengthen human rights and protect vulnerable groups, while the fourth committee addressed measures to advance the right to self-determination and the continuing political, economic and social impacts of colonialism.

The fifth committee focused on financial and budgetary matters, examining resource management, financial responsibility, transparency and the effective allocation of resources to support the UN’s goals and operations, and the sixth committee also created memorable moments, particularly when delegates completed their resolution document and celebrated together.

Participants in HILMUN 2026.

For the delegates, HILMUN was an experience that pushed them beyond their comfort zones and strengthened their understanding of diplomacy and international relations.

Nia Robinson of Hillel, who received Best Speaker, Best Position Paper, Best Delegate and Overall Best Speaker, described meeting new people and collaborating with fellow delegates as some of her most memorable experiences.

Peyton-Paige Tulloch of Immaculate, recipient of the Overall Best Delegate award, highlighted her interactions with fellow delegates and successfully reaching an agreement with the United States delegation as memorable moments.

Victoria Salazar of Campion College recalled passionate debates in the third committee, including a ten-minute discussion over whether to use a semicolon or colon when finalising committee proposals.

Peter-John Murdock of Jamaica College identified his greatest challenge as guiding a resolution towards consensus when participating countries disagreed over its clauses. He emphasised the importance of collaboration, negotiation and compromise in reaching meaningful agreements.

Fellow Jamaica College delegate Zachary Brown, who earned Best Delegate, Best Legal Analyst and Best Legal Analysis, shared that he initially felt anxious about debating students he had never met. However, he became increasingly confident, took on a leadership role within his regional group and helped draft resolutions.

HILMUN 2026 recognised five categories of achievement: Best Speaker, Best Delegate, Best Resolution, Best Negotiator and Best Legal Analysis, which was exclusive to the sixth committee. Overall winners were also recognised in each award category, celebrating delegates who demonstrated exceptional public speaking, diplomatic skills, critical thinking and collaboration.

Beyond the awards, the conference provided an environment where students developed essential life skills through research, debate, teamwork, empathy, negotiation and problem-solving.

The organisers also witnessed nervous first-time participants transform into confident speakers, advocate for amendments, build consensus and deliver closing remarks.

With its successful inaugural staging, HILMUN has established a foundation for future conferences, with the organisers already looking ahead to HILMUN 2027.