Lobbying, Late Nights, and Lasting Memories: Stonehill at HMUN India 2026

Edrian Echague, MYP and DP Mathematics Teacher / MUN Director

For Stonehill's ECCP MUN programme, HMUN India demonstrated the value of preparing students not only for speeches and formal debate but also for the skills that cannot always be taught inside a classroom.

A New Challenge Awaits

From August 13–16, 2026, twelve students from Stonehill International School took part in the 16th Harvard Model United Nations India (HMUN India). Held at the Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, the conference brought together approximately 800 delegates who shared a passion for diplomacy, debate, global affairs, and Model United Nations.

For some members of the Stonehill delegation, HMUN India was another opportunity to build on their previous MUN experience. For others, it was their first time stepping into such a large and competitive conference.

What followed was four days of diplomacy, competition, learning, friendship and, as expected, a little chaos.

Before the Conference Even Began: The Art of Lobbying

One of the biggest lessons for the delegation began before everyone had even checked into the hotel.

Lobbying had already started.

First-time delegates Yana and Dishant were surprised when other delegates began approaching them and asking questions about their committees, countries, position papers, resolutions, and possible alliances.

For students who had learned about lobbying during ECCP MUN sessions, this was an entirely different experience. Suddenly, lobbying was no longer just a skill discussed during training. Delegates were already forming connections, identifying potential allies, and discussing possible blocs before the first committee session had even started.

“This is so much fun!” Yana said on the first day, adding that HMUN India was very different and much more enjoyable than the previous MUN conference she had attended.

For the Stonehill delegates, this became one of the most valuable lessons of the conference: some of the most important MUN skills can only truly be learned by experiencing them.

 

When Things Do Not Go According to Plan

The conference began with an unexpected challenge.

A sudden surge of delegates arriving at the same time created difficulties during the hotel check-in process. Some students had to wait longer than expected, and the experience was not particularly comfortable.

However, the situation also became an important learning moment.

MUN, much like life, does not always go according to plan. Flights can be delayed, schedules can change, speeches may not go as expected, and sometimes hundreds of delegates decide to check in at the same time.

The important thing is learning how to adapt.

The Stonehill delegation eventually settled in and prepared for what would become an intense and memorable few days.

Inside the Committee Rooms

The twelve delegates represented different countries and historical figures across a wide range of committees.

Gershom represented Mexico in UNCTAD, while Eren represented Mexico in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SpecPol).

Ananya and Aishah represented Hungary in DISEC, while Suhani and Naetra represented Hungary in SOCHUM.

Yana represented Mexico in UNHRC, alongside Vrishank, who represented Azerbaijan.

Revanth represented Mexico in CCPCJ, while Dishant represented Mexico in UNDP.

Ujas participated in ADHOC, while Gil took on the role of Nefru Aset in the Historical Committee: Cleopatra's Court.

Inside the committees, students delivered speeches, negotiated with fellow delegates, formed alliances, discussed resolutions, and experienced the competitive nature of a large MUN conference.

There were moments of excitement and moments of frustration.

For some, there was the thrill of being recognised by the chair. For others, there was the familiar disappointment of holding up a placard repeatedly and wondering why everyone else seemed to be called upon first.

Dishant experienced one of his proudest moments on the very first day when his speech was acknowledged by his chair. For a delegate still developing his confidence, the recognition was an encouraging reminder that preparation and courage can pay off.

An Outstanding Achievement

The delegation's biggest official achievement came from Gil Weitzman, who received the Outstanding Delegate Award in the Historical Committee: Cleopatra's Court.

Representing Nefru Aset, Gil stood out among delegates in one of the conference's highly competitive committees and brought home Stonehill's sole official award.

Competing alongside hundreds of delegates from different schools and backgrounds, Gil's achievement was a proud moment for both the Stonehill delegation and the school's growing MUN programme.

Room Service, Lost Keycards, and Other Diplomatic Challenges

Of course, the real HMUN experience did not end when committee sessions were over.

There were late nights spent studying, preparing speeches, and discussing what had happened during the day. Eren, Gil, and Gershom also decided that room service was an essential part of the HMUN experience—because why not?

There was also the recurring problem of students getting locked out of their hotel rooms after forgetting to bring their keycards.

Meanwhile, Claire and I became concerned when Gil, Gershom, and Eren did not respond during room check. Fortunately, there was no emergency. They had simply fallen asleep early after an exhausting day.

Other memorable moments included Ujas dealing with an air conditioner that refused to cooperate, Ananya using an impressive 10 Band-Aids for one scratched toe, and Gil coming dangerously close to getting a buzzcut.

These moments may not have appeared on the conference schedule, but they became just as much a part of the experience.

 

More Than Debate and Diplomacy

Perhaps the most important part of HMUN India was the people.

The students met delegates from different schools and different parts of the world. They exchanged contact details and social media accounts and formed friendships with people who shared the same interests, skills, and passion for Model United Nations.

Opportunities to bring together young people with similar passions do not happen every day.

For Stonehill's ECCP MUN programme, HMUN India demonstrated the value of preparing students not only for speeches and formal debate but also for the skills that cannot always be taught inside a classroom.

Lobbying. Networking. Negotiation. Adaptability. Resilience. Reading the room. Building alliances.

These are skills that become real when students step outside their comfort zones and into an environment where everything is happening at once.

The Journey Continues

HMUN India 2026 may be over, but the Stonehill delegates are only getting started.

With future opportunities in Vienna, Berlin, The Netherlands, and several local MUN conferences in Bangalore, the students will have many more opportunities to apply what they learned.

They will hopefully become better lobbyists, choose committees that genuinely match their interests, build stronger alliances, and continue developing their confidence as delegates.

Most importantly, they will carry with them the friendships, lessons, and memories created over four unforgettable days.

If the delegation had to describe HMUN India 2026 in three words, the answer would be simple:

Fun. Memorable. Learning.

And, judging by the lost keycards, late-night preparations, questionable excuses, and ten Band-Aids for one toe, perhaps there should be a fourth:

Chaotic.