Press release: Distinguished diplomats visit BIGMUN!

Distinguished diplomats visit international conference BIGMUN at Birkerød Gymnasium.

More than 400 young people engage in international politics at BIGMUN 2026 at Birkerød Gymnasium and we are proud to announce the upcoming 14th annual Model United Nations conference, taking place from 18–22 February 2026. As Scandinavia’s largest student‑led MUN conference, BIGMUN will once again welcome approximately 270 international students, who together with students from Birkerød Gymnasium bring the total number of participants to around 470 young individuals. All participants share a strong interest in international politics and diplomatic cooperation.

The conference will open on 18 February from 16:00 to 17:00 with an opening ceremony featuring three distinguished speakers in the field of international politics and diplomacy: • Christian Friis Bach, Chair of the Danish Foreign Policy Committee • Joëlle Jenny, British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark • Markus Bollmohr, Deputy head at the German Embassy in Copenhagen

Each of the speakers will offer their perspectives on how diplomacy serves as an instrument for conflict resolution and bridge‑building across nations—fully aligned with this year’s conference theme, “Bridges Beyond Borders.”

This theme seeks to anchor the conference’s debates in the original principles of the UN Charter, emphasising the importance of transnational approaches, international security, and humanitarian intervention. It encourages delegates to look beyond national interests and engage with global challenges that increasingly require cooperative, international solutions.

In a period marked by geopolitical tension, ongoing crises, and heightened international uncertainty, the conference theme sends a clear message about the significance of diplomatic dialogue and cross‑border cooperation. BIGMUN 2026 brings together students from 25 schools with diverse backgrounds, including delegations from Ukraine, the United States, France, and Germany, underscoring the conference’s international outlook and commitment to intercultural understanding.

The conference will also include a panel debate in which Marie‑Claire Dejean‑Pannier, Head of HR for International Partnerships at the Danish Refugee Council, and Henrik Vigh, anthropologist and professor at the University of Copenhagen, will discuss the highly topical and complex issue of migration.

BIGMUN provides a learning platform where young people can develop key competencies, including: • critical and analytical thinking • diplomatic negotiation • international and cultural awareness • the ability to collaborate on sustainable solutions to global challenges

Working in small committees, participants represent assigned countries and draft resolutions addressing real‑world crises. This format gives students practical experience with the structures of the United Nations and the processes underlying international decision‑making.

Key conference information

• When: 18–22 February 2026, opening ceremony from 16-17.15 • Where: Birkerød Gymnasium, HF, IB & Boarding School Søndervangen 56, 3460 Birkerød, Denmark • What: A Model United Nations simulation where students debate global political issues based on assigned national positions • Why: To strengthen students’ skills in public speaking, diplomacy, and international politics—often a first step toward studies or careers in politics, international relations, or global governance • How: Committee work, formal debates, resolution drafting, and structured diplomatic collaboration

The full programme and practical information are available on the BIGMUN website: https://www.bigmun.dk