At Nexus International School Malaysia, learners are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, explore global issues and develop the confidence and skills needed for the future. This commitment to learner leadership was clearly demonstrated at Nexus International School Malaysia Model United Nations Conference (NISMUNC) 2026, where learners took the lead in planning and delivering the conference from start to finish.
Led by a dedicated learner organising team, the event was carefully coordinated in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. From managing logistics, promotions and communications to overseeing the flow of the conference, learners demonstrated initiative, responsibility and teamwork while gaining valuable real-world experience in leadership and diplomacy.
In total, more than 71 Nexus learners played a role in bringing NISMUNC 2026 to life, including 24 delegates, 29 members of the secretariat team who organised the conference and 18 administrators and photographers who supported operations and documented the event. Many of the organisers were from the Year 12 cohort, where leading and supporting the conference forms part of their Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) experiences within the IB Diploma Programme, allowing learners to develop leadership, collaboration and organisational skills through a real-world event.
The conference, well known as being one of the largest Model United Nations events in Malaysia, welcomed over 300 learners from 20 schools, creating a vibrant platform for delegates to debate real-world global issues, exchange perspectives and strengthen their critical thinking and communication skills in a dynamic environment.
A highlight of the conference was the guest address by Johan Ariff Bin Abdul Razak, who inspired learners with insights into diplomacy and global affairs. Learners also gained valuable perspectives from Shyamala Alagendra, who serves as a Gender and Child Rights Expert to the Gambian Reparations Commission and shared her experiences working on international justice and global issues.
Through opportunities such as NISMUNC, learners at Nexus continue to grow as confident leaders, global thinkers and changemakers ready to make an impact beyond the classroom.
Developing Future Leaders
Through NISMUNC 2026, learners were able to:
- Build leadership and communication skills by taking on the roles of diplomats
- Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving through debates on complex global issues
- Collaborate across schools, fostering teamwork and global awareness
- Gain practical journalism experience
Key Highlights
The conference included a variety of engaging sessions. Here are some of the standout moments:
- Historical Crisis Committee (HCC): Debating the Malayan Emergency
Learners explored the historical and political complexities of the Malayan Emergency, analysing decisions made during the crisis and practising diplomacy and negotiation skills in a historical context. - United Nations Security Council (UNSC): Discussing gang violence in Haiti and the Sudanese conflict
Delegates debated current global security challenges, proposing solutions and practising negotiation, critical thinking and collaborative decision-making in high-stakes international scenarios. - United Nations General Assembly (UNGA): Hosting its largest council ever with 50 delegates
This record-setting council gave learners the opportunity to engage with a larger, diverse group of peers, enhancing teamwork, public speaking and coordination skills in a more complex forum. - Shadow Delegates: Nexus Year 12 learners Imtiaz, Seohee and Mahmoud contributed to a dynamic UNSC debate
Our learners acted as shadow delegates, providing input, guiding discussions and helping shape the debate, giving them hands-on experience in diplomacy and collaborative problem-solving.
NISMUNC 2026 was a testament to the initiative and dedication of Nexus learners, bringing together young minds from across Malaysia to exchange ideas, debate global issues and participate in thoughtful, engaging dialogue.
