A total of 16 students of Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) had the opportunity to participate in the Asia World Model United Nations XII (AWMUN-XII) organized by the International Global Network (IGN) in Bali, in October 2025.
The involvement was the first time Thursina IIBS sent a delegation to an international UN simulation event. Of the total participants, six were from junior high school and ten were from high school students. It showed the courage and readiness of students of all ages to participate in the prestigious global forum.
Despite the first time, some participants had previous experience through a similar event, the Asia Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN). It helped the delegates navigate the international diplomatic forum with greater confidence.
"This is a new milestone for Thursina IIBS. We want the students to experience the atmosphere of a global conference that demands courage, communication skills, and critical thinking," said Ustaz Sulton, S.Pd., the companion and VP of English Development at Thursina IIBS.
During the program, the students participated in a series of official AWMUN agenda for several days. It opened with Airport Assistance and Registration, followed by Opening Ceremony & Gala Dinner, bringing together hundreds of participants from various countries. The core of the conference was the Committee Sessions, where delegates sat in simulations of United Nations (UN) institution meetings, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
They were asked to discuss, submit motions, negotiate, and formulate global solutions like real diplomats. Participants were also involved in pre-conference workshops, a Bali city tour, a closing ceremony and awarding session.
Although the Thursina students did not achieve any awards this time, their enthusiasm and passion grew. They gained valuable experience in diplomacy, presenting arguments in English, and interacting with delegations from various countries.
"We're not just pursuing success, but also a learning process. For us, the courage to perform, argue, and collaborate at the international level is a victory in itself," added Ustaz Sulton.
Through AWMUN, the students significantly improve soft skills, from public speaking, critical thinking, diplomacy, leadership, to networking with other international students. Furthermore, the experience provides a platform for developing basic, soft, and meta-skills, essential for academic success and future global careers. They learn to map global issues, understand perspectives of other countries, and present balanced and ethical solutions.
Moreover, Ustaz Sulton emphasized that events like this will continue to be promoted in Thursina's internationalization roadmap. He hopes that Thursina students can grow into young leaders with character, morals, and vision, bringing positive change to the global community.
"We hope that Thursina students will become a generation ready to deal with global challenges, provide solutions, and contribute to civilization. They are not just conference participants; they are future leaders," he concluded. (iz/lil)
