A TEENAGER brought together more than 200 young people from across the North West to debate pressing global issues.

Naomi Adedokun, aged 17, who lives in Bolton and attends Manchester High School for girls helped organise a Model United Nations (MUN) conference over two days.

She was a part of a team of five girls from Manchester High who had been planning the large student debate event since September.

The event was themed around the Millennium Development Goals set at the Millennium Summit, the largest gathering of world leaders in history in 2000. The Summit addressed issues such as hunger and poverty, education, gender equality, security and environmental sustainability.

Naomi said: “I have been involved with Model United Nations since Year 10 and loved every minute of it.

"I’m proud to have been able to stage the first Manchester High conference and it was an enjoyable experience.

" I am quite a shy person but the debates have helped to build my confidence and develop my knowledge of political issues.

"I was the Head Chair of the Political Committee and President of the General Assembly.”

Naomi, who is studying the International Baccalaureate programme at Manchester High, is hoping to read English Literature at Durham University.

She said: “Organising such a large conference was hectic but worth every minute. I hope that we have now established an annual event in the Model United Nations calendar and that the younger students will carry it forward in future years. The MUN is a hugely beneficial extra-curricular activity and I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

Jacinta Heydecker, Model United Co-ordinator at Manchester High School for Girls, said: “I would like to congratulate the MUNHIGH student organising committee on a very successful and enjoyable conference. It was the culmination of a great deal of hard work over many months.”

From left Chloe Barry Samantha Paterson Head Mistress Mrs Claire Hewitt Nikki Ung Aleena Siddiq and Naomi Adedokun.jpg