J’can high schools successful at WIMUN Conference in New York

The World International Model United Nations (WIMUN) Conference 2025 came to a close at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, marking the largest gathering of delegates in its history. The event saw students from across the globe engaging in days of intense deliberations, negotiations, and simulations of realworld diplomatic challenges.

Among the standout delegations was Jamaica’s contingent, which consisted of 149 students from 13 schools, including Central, Old Harbour, Queen’s, Immaculate, Campion,

Hillel, Wolmer’s Boys’ and Garvey Maceo high schools. In a show of national pride and appreciation, Jamaica’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Brian Wallace, hosted the delegation for a celebratory luncheon at his office. Attendees enjoyed a spread of traditional Jamaican cuisine while reflecting on their achievements during the conference.

WIMUN is a simulation of the United Nations. It’s an annual conference that brings together students from around the world to learn about the UN and practice negotiation and teamwork. It serves to enhance negotiation skills, make students aware of global issues, practice teamwork, get a taste of global citizenship, and learn the functioning of the United Nations (UN).

Each year, several schools in Jamaica, journey to New York to make up the yearly average of 60 countries that participate in the experience. The Jamaican students returned home on Saturday.

Eighteen-year-old Malachi Burke, president of the Jamaica College United Nations chapter, lauded the experience as one beneficial to any career path a young person may choose. He said Jamaica College has avidly participated in the conference for at least the last decade and this was his third and final year in attendance.

Another member of his team, Devon Barnes, was honoured with a prestigious Diplomacy Award.

Several other Jamaican students were recognised for outstanding contributions to the conference.

The entire trip (registration, airfares, accommodation, transportation, food, etc.) was primarily funded by corporate entities, parents, parent-teacher associations, alumni, and various fund-raising events.

One such corporate entity this year was the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), that provided round-trip tickets from JetBlue.

AFJ Executive Director Caron Chung stated, “The American Friends of Jamaica, courtesy of its airline partner, JetBlue, supports giving in the areas of youth and education. We are passionate about inspiring the next generation through meaningful collaborative initiatives.”