AIS Holds the First Ever Trilingual Model UN Conference in the Southeast

Last weekend, the Atlanta International School Model United Nations team hosted its sixth annual conference, AISMUN VI, welcoming over 260 students in addition to directors, faculty, and guests from ten different schools including one from New York for two days of debate, collaboration, and global problem-solving. The conference, run by our high-school students, featured committees for both middle and high school delegates, providing students at all levels with the opportunity to engage in meaningful debate, collaboration, and global problem-solving. 

Since its beginnings during COVID-19, when the conference started with a single virtual committee, AISMUN has grown dramatically. It included 13 committees including three special committees, five middle school General Assemblies, three high school GAs, two Spanish committees, and, for the first time, a French committee, introduced by Utshaho Gupta and Tala Zein. With this addition, AISMUN VI became the first trilingual Model United Nations conference in the Southeast, even when compared against college-run conferences, offering delegates more ways to explore global issues and develop their skills in multiple languages. Becoming trilingual was not the only milestone for AISMUN, since this year was also the first year that the conference had interstate participation and was the largest conference yet.

The theme for this year was “Balancing Innovation and Ethics in an Age of Acceleration,” which encouraged delegates to consider not only what is possible in today’s rapidly changing world, but also what is responsible. From AI and medical advances to renewable energy and global connectivity, students debated both the opportunities and the ethical challenges that come with innovation, learning to approach complex issues thoughtfully and collaboratively.

At the conference, delegates were welcomed by inspiring guest speakers. Dr. Saria Hassan, Associate Professor at Emory School of Medicine and Public Health, discussed climate change and health inequities, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of research and innovation. Maura Sacach, Maya entrepreneur and co-founder of Maya Moon Cacao, shared her work supporting Indigenous communities and promoting sustainable business practices. Both speakers highlighted the importance of leadership grounded in ethics, community, and action.

AISMUN VI also went beyond debate through a first-time service initiative in collaboration with IHOT Robotics. Together with parents and the MUN community, delegates helped raise over $1,500 and many more physical donations, which was used to assemble 330 hygiene kits and 10 large bags of winter clothing for Atlanta Mission, a nonprofit organization that provides food, shelter, and essential services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Atlanta area. This project allowed students to see the impact of their efforts beyond the conference room, combining the skills they practiced in debate with meaningful community service, especially important during the winter and holiday season.

With its diverse delegates, middle and high school committees, trilingual programming, and service initiatives, AISMUN VI highlighted the value of collaboration, critical thinking, and ethical leadership. Delegates were challenged to speak confidently, consider multiple perspectives, and make an impact—both in debate and in the wider community.

AISMUN VI reminded participants that Model UN is more than resolutions or awards: it’s an opportunity to practice diplomacy, engage with global issues, and grow as leaders. This conference gave students the tools, experiences, and inspiration to take what they learned into the world beyond the committee room.

Special thanks goes out to Joanna Vasiloglou, Secretary General of the conference, Malaika Minja, Deputy Secretary General (DSG) for English, Utshaho Gupta, and Irene Canovas, DSGs of French and Spanish respectively, who enabled this trilingual conference to become the first of its kind. Additional thanks goes to DSGs Kiara Richards, Jacquie Guevara-Soto, Taylor Goins, and Lilli Schalko for helping plan the conference and make the team’s vision a reality, as well as Mr. Yarsawich for supervising the whole process, and Ms. Simpkins for going with him to donate the bags to Atlanta Mission!