23 August, Kathmandu: More than 200 students from 74 schools and colleges across Bagmati Province stepped beyond their textbooks to take on the roles of international delegates at HISSAN Bagmati Model United Nations 2026.

For three days, the students represented different countries, debated global concerns, defended national positions and worked towards negotiated solutions. The programme allowed them to practise diplomacy, public speaking, research, leadership and collective decision making in a simulated United Nations setting.

Highlights

• More than 200 students from 74 schools and colleges participated in the three-day MUN programme.
• Students represented different countries and debated human rights, international peace, security and global affairs.
• The programme focused on research, public speaking, diplomacy, negotiation, leadership and respect for differing views.
• HISSAN Bagmati Province plans to expand the initiative and involve more students in future editions.

HISSAN Bagmati MUN-2026, held under the theme "Dialogue, Diplomacy & Impact", concluded at Hrit Academy in Basundhara, Kathmandu, on August 23. The programme began on August 21.

The Higher Institutions and Secondary Schools' Association Nepal, Bagmati Province, organised the event in collaboration with the Global Help Foundation and media partner with College Readers. The programme was designed to prepare students for leadership and participation in an increasingly connected world.

During the simulation, participants discussed human rights, international peace and security, foreign relations, diplomacy, policy formation and other global concerns. They appeared in formal diplomatic attire and represented the positions of their assigned countries.

The students took part in debates, question and answer sessions, group discussions and negotiations. They also worked on proposals and attempted to reach agreement with delegates representing different national interests.

The exercise required participants to research their assigned countries, examine facts, prepare arguments and respond to opposing positions. It also tested their ability to manage time, speak before an audience and make decisions as a group.

Organisers said the programme encouraged students to move beyond the question, "What do I know?" and consider, "How can I present and use what I know?"

HISSAN Central President Yuvraj Sharma attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest. Madhesh University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Deepak Shakya was the special guest.

The closing ceremony was chaired by HISSAN Bagmati Province President Raj Kumar Acharya. Central HISSAN Chief Advisor Ramesh Kumar Silwal, HISSAN Central Secretary Bhawani Prasad Poudel, General Secretary Ram Hari Silwal, Treasurer Shiva Prasad Adhikari and Central Member Suman Basnet were among those present.

Central and provincial officials of HISSAN, educationists, teachers, students and representatives from different sectors also attended the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Bhawani Prasad Poudel described MUN as a "living classroom" that builds students' abilities rather than merely testing them.

He said students had an opportunity to apply what they had read about diplomacy, international relations and global politics.

"If students are expected to lead in the future, they must begin learning how to lead today," Poudel said. "MUN teaches them to speak, listen, reason, respect disagreement and reach an agreement."

Poudel said education should not be limited to helping students pass examinations. Schools and colleges, he added, should give priority to activities that prepare young people to compete and participate in the wider world.

He said MUN can help students develop confidence, analytical thinking, research habits, public speaking and problem-solving skills.

HISSAN Bagmati Province President Acharya said today's students will lead society and the country in the future. Educational institutions must therefore expose them to issues and experiences beyond the classroom.

"We should not prepare students only to give answers. We must also help them ask the right questions," Acharya said. "MUN teaches students to express their views, understand the views of others and find solutions between different positions."

Acharya said HISSAN Bagmati MUN was being developed as a continuing effort to build students' personality, leadership and understanding of world affairs. He said HISSAN plans to expand similar exercises and involve more students in the coming years.

Chief guest Sharma said education should be practical and useful in life rather than focused solely on examinations. Programmes such as MUN, he said, can prepare students to become future policymakers, administrators, diplomats and leaders.

Professor Dr Shakya said educational institutions need to connect students with current global affairs and give them opportunities to practise dialogue, leadership and responsible decision making.

He said MUN helps students learn to question, reason, listen to differing views and present their positions responsibly.

Global Help Foundation CEO Sanjeev Bhattarai also spoke about the role of MUN in students' overall development. He said such programmes help students improve public speaking, leadership, negotiation and the ability to resolve problems through discussion.

The organisers said diplomacy cannot be understood through definitions alone. Students understand it more clearly when they engage with people who hold different opinions, defend their positions, negotiate when necessary and make decisions in the common interest.

For the participants, the three-day event was more than a competition or formal presentation. It gave them an opportunity to experience the responsibilities of leadership, respect disagreement, use evidence in arguments and seek solutions through democratic discussion.

At the closing ceremony, HISSAN Bagmati Province honoured Madhesh University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Deepak Bahadur Shakya with a shawl and a token of appreciation.

Participating students also received certificates and tokens of appreciation. Their active participation and confident presentations marked the conclusion of the three-day programme.

HISSAN Bagmati MUN-2026 ended with a clear message: classroom knowledge becomes more useful when students learn how to communicate, negotiate, cooperate and make responsible decisions.

 The programme gave young participants a practical introduction to the skills required for leadership on national and international platforms. The closing session was hosted by Ramesh Ghimire, Joint Secretary of HISSAN Bagmati.