Hong Kong students gain confidence with ISMUNHK scholarships

South China Morning Post

2 days ago

Last month, hundreds of students arrived at Hong Kong Polytechnic University for the annual Inter-School Model United Nations Hong Kong (ISMUNHK) conference. For some, it was their first time attending, thanks to a newly introduced scholarship programme.
Founded in 2018, ISMUNHK is a student-led organisation that hosts conferences for students across the city who enjoy participating in Model UN.
During these conferences, students assume the roles of UN diplomats, negotiating real-world issues.
This year marked the first time ISMUNHK offered scholarships to assist students interested in attending the conference but in need of financial aid. Eight recipients had the HK$400 participation fee waived.
Ava Au Yeung, ISMUNHK's secretary general, stated that the goal of the scholarship was to target local schools, as conference participants have historically been predominantly international students.
Ava Au Yeung is the current secretary general at ISMUNHK. Photo: Handout
'I think local and international school students [can provide] very different perspectives ... Local school students tend to have a more informed perspective on what's happening in Hong Kong,' explained 16-year-old Ava, who attends Island School.
'You have people coming to the conference with so many different perspectives.'
She noted a growing number of participants from local schools over the past few years, while the number of international students has remained relatively stable. Ava emphasised that providing this resource can give local students the confidence to try new experiences.
Empowering young leaders
Scholarship recipient Harry Zhu Ziming has long been interested in public policy, with aspirations of joining the Legislative Council. However, he had never participated in Model UN.
When Harry, a student at Po Leung Kuk Ma Kam Ming College, learned about the ISMUNHK scholarship, he applied and sought a nomination from his principal.
'I think by pursuing this scholarship, I may have a better understanding of the themes [of the conference] and could [have more] confidence to join the events,' the 16-year-old said. He found the scholarship motivating and felt it could 'help students make progress in their personal growth'.
Students said that participating in ISMUNHK gives them the confidence to speak up. Photo: Handout
'Providing a scholarship supports participants [with] emotional encouragement and material reward,' he said.
Harry described the conference as 'challenging yet rewarding', expressing concerns about his English skills compared to those of other participants, which made it challenging to keep up with the terminology. Nevertheless, he found the conference educational.
'These valuable experiences enhanced my knowledge of the United Nations and improved my English skills,' he said. 'I felt helpless at first, but that feeling soon changed into a kind of satisfaction afterwards as I broadened my horizons in this new field.'
Sparking confidence in Hong Kong youth
Another recipient, Gaby Lee Kwan-yee, had a background in debate. She had always wanted to join Model UN, but she was concerned that starting later would make her seem inexperienced compared to other participants.
However, the scholarship motivated her to overcome her fears and give it a try.
'I [wanted to] get to know more about the function and structure of the UN because it has a big impact on our lives, but we mostly just perceive the UN as some omnipotent being, so getting a glimpse into the inner workings of the organisation would be eye-opening,' the 17-year-old said.
As a Form Five student, she recognised this as her last opportunity to pursue her interests. Her teachers at St Mary's Canossian College nominated her for the scholarship, and she was thrilled to be selected.
'The scholarship incentivised many students, like me, who are inexperienced in MUN or are too afraid to join a summit to actually participate,' Gaby remarked.
Students say the scholarship encouraged inexperienced pupils to participate in Model UN. Photo: Handout
She also believes that the scholarship helped increase ISMUNHK's visibility, as she only learned about the organisation through news of the scholarship.
Despite her gratitude for the chance to attend the conference for free, Gaby initially experienced 'impostor syndrome', feeling that her teammates had more experience.
'When the things that come so easily to the other delegates seem to be a few of the hardest things I've done, I couldn't help but wonder how I managed to get this scholarship,' she said.
Despite her initial fears, Gaby highlighted how the scholarship encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone.
'[Many of us] wouldn't have joined ISMUNHK if it weren't for the scholarship; we didn't have the guts,' she said. 'The scholarship was the push we needed to try something new.'