IB students at iMEP in The Hague

At Nesbru Videregående Skole, IB students have the opportunity to take part in international programs such as Model United Nations (MUN) and Model European Parliament (MEP). These conferences give students the chance to debate real global issues, represent countries, and experience the process of decision making. Through conferences held across Europe, students develop skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership skills that help them far beyond the classroom.

Students describe MEP as intense but incredibly rewarding. Conference days are long and filled with meetings where every statement in a resolution must be defended. Debates cover real-world topics such as climate investment, the pink tax, and EU expansion. Students who participated shared how taking part in parliamentary debates greatly improved their English and confidence, allowing them to speak in large scale debates and even deliver improvised speeches. A student in 1STI stated that: “Because politicians were actually watching our debate, meaning that what we said and did does have an actual impact!” highlighting how MEP gave them an opportunity to take part in discussions where they felt their voice really mattered. Students had the unique opportunity to hear Mark Rutte (Secretary General of NATO) speak in person, an experience the students found inspiring and fortunate. Listening to his perspectives about international cooperation and global challenges made the conference feel even more real and impactful. Kristoffer Are Hermansen, one of our students from 1STI, stated that: “It was a great experience being able to hear from Mark Rutte, and he had asked us several questions ensuring we stayed engaged and thoughtful.”

Several students from Nesbru Videregående Skole have gone on to take leadership roles, join organizing boards such as NESMUN, and Josefine Leganger Bjerk one of our students from 1STI was even nominated for Committee President, expressing that, “It was so amazing to receive these recommendations, as well as knowing that my actions had an impact on the committee”. These programs show that IB students are given several opportunities to grow, take initiative, and engage with global issues.