By Konstancija KEVISAITE & Nil TOPCULAR
The weekend of Feb. 20 to 22 was full of enthusiasm and excitement in the hallways and classrooms of the Le Havre campus, due to the Le Havre Model United Nations (LHMUN) 2026 conference. This year’s edition started on Feb. 20 with an opening ceremony which included an address from former British Army Officer General Sir Rupert Smith, senior commander in the Gulf and Bosnian Wars. It was also an official welcome to delegates from different schools and countries who came to Le Havre to attend the conference.
Following the opening ceremony, committees began their sessions debating various issues from human trafficking to the war on drugs. The topics were centered around this year’s theme of global security, especially focusing on times of crises. This year saw eight committees ranging from the Economic and Social Council to the Human Rights Council. Fitting to the Le Havre campus, an Association of Southeast Asian Nations and International Maritime Organization committees were also included, highlighting our focus on Asia and the seas and oceans.
The Game of Thrones committee garnered the most attention, as delegates represented characters from the famous TV show and debated the issue “Who rules Westeros?” It was also attended by the director of Le Havre Campus, Michael Hauchecorne, who officiated a fictional wedding.
Academically, the conference was operated in both French and English and was open to delegates with different experience levels. Mariam Abdul, Chair of the Human Rights Committee and a Master’s student at Paris-Saclay University, said that delegates worked very well and that the speeches were phenomenal, making it hard to choose who to award Best Delegate.
The Chairs of the Security Council, Camille Ostrowski and Natália Oliveira, however said in their interview that delegates were getting tired and demotivated over the course of the conference. Luckily for the delegates, the breaks and the multiple events organised throughout the conference helped regain energy and excitement throughout the conference. Snacks were provided during the breaks in between sessions every day, and the Amnesty International and UNICEF clubs also held a fundraiser bake sale to donate to UNICEF. An Amnesty International member, Marie Graille, said that the MUN conference allowed them to reach beyond the Le Havre campus.
The two nights of the conference were both eventful, as a bar night was held on Friday night, and a Gala was held on Saturday, where many students dressed up and enjoyed the night at La Grande École. The conference concluded the following day with a lively ceremony on campus, during which Chairs distributed awards to their best delegates and the MUNSHU board bowed to the public.
Fun, amusing, engaging, enlightening, passionate, unforgettable, an investment in the future — all these words were used by the delegates to describe the LHMUN experience. Delegate and first-year student of Le Havre campus Hannah Schepers (Human Rights Council) said that doing research and reading in between the lines to understand a country’s stance can sometimes become a headache. Another delegate and fellow first-year student Erika Nanette (Human Rights Council) added to that, saying there is a thin line between being too diplomatic and misrepresenting the country; however, such challenges are welcome, as they allow students to discuss previously lesser-known topics. Similarly, delegate and first-year student David Cretu (Economic and Social Council) agreed that, in such an environment, it can be stressful to find a compromise; but to secure world peace, one has to practice it. This year’s LHMUN also welcomed eager students from high schools in Rouen and Luxembourg. Even though they had different past experiences, all students agreed that they loved the campus for its diverse voices and its ability to put in the effort, even if getting the best deal for their country might not be the greatest outcome for the rest of the world.
The Secretary General, Franzcesca Chiara De La Cruz, entered the interview with a heart full of gratitude, calling LHMUN a chaotic and enriching experience, as seeing it carried out in life sometimes felt surreal. The organiser thanked the team, the administration of SciencesPo, and the sponsors for helping to make this event happen, despite the administrative bumps along the way. When asked whether MUN holds a special place in her heart, the Secretary General responded with a smile, emphasising that the most beautiful thing about MUN is the sense of collectiveness created as they strive to find solutions to pertinent issues and meet people from different walks of life, especially Sciences Po students from other campuses. From overthrowing a republic to dance punishments: mixing goofiness with recent events is what makes MUN stand out. As an organiser, Chiara mentioned that she has complete confidence in the upcoming board and wishes them well, asking them to stay organised and maintain the relationships they have established this year.
For organisers and participants alike, LHMUN was an experience like no other. From solving world crises to weddings and galas, this event witnessed it all. Once again, it was the organising team who made it come to life and all the participants from different places engaging in it who became the driving force behind the event.
