ScotMUN 2024 – An LSE Triumph

Edinburgh is known for its history, beautiful architecture, and of course all things typically Scottish. But one would not assume it to be a centre for aspiring diplomats and orators. TeamLSE had the privilege of being invited to ScotMUN 2024, arguably one of the finest conferences in the UK. All of which wasn’t complete without a traditional Scottish ceilidh and socials unmatched by any other comparable conference.  

Diplomacy, at least in Edinburgh, cannot be conducted without a night of dancing to the music of the highlands and a cursory plate of haggis for dinner. I met my teammates on the train up to Edinburgh for the first time, and the next day I was waltzing into the small hours with my new friends. MUN is a fantastic experience outside the committee rooms too; the inside jokes over cards against humanity are irreplaceable, just as the late-night trip to Tesco's for hot chocolate mix is when all of us were craving a little quiet time together. Nothing says camaraderie like an MUN hostel experience, where all of us walk out for an evening gala in our fanciest clothes much to the surprise of the other budget travellers.  

I have been to Edinburgh before, but this time has been the best yet. I have had the privilege of chairing the UNSC as a senior chairperson alongside a fellow Hong Konger. The opportunity to meet new people and share in Scottish culture was what made this conference stand out. Even the committee photographs in the rain stood out amidst the dreariness. Despite the grey weather and the arduous sleeper train home, it will remain a tremendous experience.  

Spanning three days and taking place in the Old College of the University of Edinburgh, ScotMUN 2024 marked a major win for the LSE delegation, representing countries ranging from the regional power Mozambique in the United Nations Security Council to the fantastical in the conference’s own Percy Jackson-themed crisis committee. In representing countries (and characters) normally scorned for being uninfluential, LSE snapped up a coveted Best Small Delegation Award.  

Cementing its status as a debating institution, TeamLSE’s chairs presided over four of the eight committees present at the conference, representing a wide range of skill sets and expertise ranging from the WHO, to specialised committees such as the House of Commons and Crisis, with myself taking away a Distinction in Chairing Award alongside my fabulous co-chair, adding to LSE’s track record of MUN victories (cue the LSE chant). I came to ScotMUN for the debate but wished I stayed longer for the people. 

Calvin Iyer