STUDENTS who gathered in South Lakeland to debate one of the world’s hottest political topics will have their views forwarded to the United Nations headquarters in New York.

More than 20 sixth formers, from across the district, discussed the pros and cons of multi-lateral nuclear disarmament in a mock United Nations summit in Kendal.

Students represented 13 of the 15 permanent member countries of the United National Security Coun-cil, and vigorously debated the controversial subject before creat-ing a joint resolution for the UN.

“It was a very important day for the students who have spent months rehearsing their speeches and researching what their count-ries think about nuclear disarm-ament,” said Luckshan Abeysuriya, branch sectretary of the United Nations Association of the UK.

“With Trident missile submarines being built in Barrow, it was a very topical issue and one which the stud- ents engaged with to a very high standard.”

The debate was chaired by former Kendal Mayor John Bateson and standout performances came from Queen Elizabeth School (QES), Kirk- by Lonsdale, students representing France, who argued that their nuclear weapons acted as a ‘dormant warning’ to other nations and should remain. But Mexico’s performance prevailed with the Philip Bangham award for the best team performance going to two QES students who represented the South American country.

The prize for the best individual speaker was won by William White, from Lancaster Royal Grammar School, who took on the role of the Permanent Representative for the Austrian delegation. “The UN wants to hear the views of young people as they are the future and we will now send the outcome of their meeting to the United Nations in New York,” said Mr Abeysuriya.

“It’s an honour for students to have their views heard so high up.”

The students’ resolution concluded all member states were in favour of a nuclear weapons-free world, and the US and Russian Federation should agree to reduce their ballistic missile capability by half.

Students were from Kirkbie Kendal School, Kendal, Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, Dallam School, Milnthorpe, Lancaster Royal Grammar School, Lancaster and Sed-bergh School.