BOC HK | UNESCO HK
2026 Secondary School
Model UNESCO International Conference
on Ethics of Neurotechnology
Conference Introduction
Conference Leaflet
What is Model UNESCO?
Model UNESCO is an educational event in which participants play the role of representatives of UNESCO Member States, simulating meetings that take place within the organization.
Students participating in this simulation are introduced to the work and purposes of UNESCO. In our mission to promote UNESCO’s “Education for 2030” agenda and the “Future of Education” initiative, the conference encourages students to seek multi-disciplinary partnership, propose innovative solutions, and provide an opportunity for students’ voices to be heard on international platforms.
2026 Secondary School Model UNESCO International Conference on Ethics of Neurotechnology
The 2026 Secondary School Model UNESCO International Conference will be hosted on the theme of “Ethics of Neurotechnology”, in response to adoption of the first global normative framework on the ethics of neurotechnology issued by UNESCO at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, in November 2025.
Conference Background: A Topic of Global Significance
Neurotechnology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, integrating deeply with AI systems. These technologies—from brain-computer interfaces to neuro-monitoring tools—carry both promise and peril. UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee (IBC) and the Draft Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology (2024) emphasize the need for ethical frameworks to protect brain data, cognitive liberty, and human identity.
At the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in November 2025. UNESCO issued the first global normative framework on the ethics of neurotechnology on November 5; it is set to enter into force on November 12. This recommended standard is designed to maintain a balance between innovation and human rights to protect the human brain and brain-related data from misuse.
Conference Background: The youth conference conducted in December 2025.
On December 13, 2025, the World Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO (WFUCA) and the Hong Kong Association for UNESCO (UHKA) successfully hosted the 4th International UNESCO Model (MUNESCO) Conference in Hong Kong on the theme “Ethics of Neurotechnology, under the patronage of UNESCO and with the title sponsorship of Bank of China (Hong Kong). Youths aged 18-25 from 25 different countries participated in the conference, creating a platform for a dynamic simulation and critical dialogue to discuss innovative proposals and solutions for this topic.
The 2026 Secondary School Model UNESCO International Conference on Ethics of Neurotechnology hopes to explore new perspectives from the viewpoint of secondary school students, which we hope to combine with insights from the youth conference and construct a more comprehensive recommendation for the global and regional bodies.
Overall Schedule (2026)
* The optional Model UNESCO Student Coordinator training will be hosted on March 21 – 22 with in-person and zoom participation options.
The trainings develop students’ essential knowledge and skills to perform confidently in MUNESCO Conference, ability to organise MUNESCO clubs and conferences in schools, and lead school teams to prepare and participate in MUNESCO International Conferences.
Training Registration Deadline: March 15
→ Please click here for more details ←
Thematic online webinar: (Tentative dates)
Date: April 10 and 11, 16:00 – 18:00 HKT
Duration: 4 sessions, 1 hour each session
Fee: free
Platform: Zoom
Audiences: All students who are interested in registering for this conference
- Section 1: Introduction to UNESCO and the United Nations System, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Neurotechnology
- Section 2: Latest Progress and Future Directions of UNESCO’s Promotion of Neurotechnology and Ethics
- Section 3: Neurotechnology and Ethics — Hong Kong Case Studies
- Section 4: Sharing from Participants of the “Fourth International UNESCO Model” hosted in December 2025
The preliminary session include 2 parts – the written answers and the video submission.
The preliminary link will be sent to your email after submission of the registration form on this website. Please fill in the registration form as early as possible to give yourself some time to prepare the preliminary materials.
Submission Deadline: May 11
Part 1: Written Answers (35% of overall score)
Q1. What do you think is the one biggest concern of ethics in neurotechnology applications? (no more than 200 words)
Q2. How is ethics of neurotechnology related to sustainable development? (no more than 200 words)
Part 2: Video Submission: (65% of overall score)
Each team need to submit a 3-minute video, which includes:
– 30 seconds: introduce yourself
– 1 minute: Motivation to attend the conference and expectations for the event
– 1.5 minutes: Introducing one specific case study in which application of neurotechnology have faced ethical challenges, and suggest a way to resolve it.
- Delegation Announcement: May 19, 17:30-18:30 HKT
- Presentation Submission Deadline: June 28
- HK-GBA Regional Conference: July 04 (detailed rundown to be released approaching the conference day)
- 12 outstanding teams from the HK-GBA Regional Conference will advance to the International Conference
- Online Briefing: June 9, 17:30-18:30 HKT
- Presentation Submission Deadline: July 14
- 18 outstanding teams will be selected based on the preliminary submission to attend the International Conference
- The organisers will fund the accommodation, meals, and transfers of the selected teams within Hong Kong. International airfare and travel insurance are to be covered by the sending party or the students.
- International Participants Arrival: July 24
- International Conference: July 25 (detailed rundown to be released approaching the conference day)
- Global Youth Exchange Ceremony: July 25
- Field Trips: July 26 (detailed rundown to be released approaching the field trip day)
- For international participants: The organisers will fund the accommodation (July 24-27, 4 days and 3 nights) , meals (From July 24 dinner to July 27 breakfast), and transfers (arrival and departure between the airport and the designated hotel) of the selected teams within Hong Kong. International airfare and travel insurance are to be covered by the sending party or the students.
* The organiser reserves the right to make appropriate adjustments to the schedule and relevant arrangements when needed.
Conference Procedure
In the strategy presentation, the delegations have to present the strategies that their countries are implementing, or in which they propose to be implemented to promote ethics of neurotechnology in their country. The delegates may focus on existing procedures/programmes/laws etc. or create their own strategies based on research.
The General Debate and Discussion session consist of two parts:
In the Moderated Debate and Discussion Session, each delegate will have the chance to propose a motion. The process will proceed in reverse alphabetical order, with every three delegations proposing their respective motions. One motion will be selected through voting. The next three delegations on the list will then propose their motions, and again, one will be chosen after voting.
In the Unmoderated Debate and Discussion session, delegates are allowed to stand up from their seats and initiate face-to-face conversation freely with other delegates. Discussion groups can be formed, and each group could draft their respective resolution. At the end, clauses in the resolutions should be voted and integrated to construct the final resolution document.
During this session, participants will have the opportunity to develop their critical thinking, negotiation, and public speaking skills where they will be able to discuss and have conversations with other delegates on a local case study and come to consensus on a common solution.
In this conference, the case will be to promote ethical neurotechnology application in the Greater Bay Area.
Based on the discussions throughout the conference, delegates will draft and vote for clauses of the “Youth Prospect on Ethics of Neurotechnology (Secondary School)”.
Delegates will then vote for the awards of the conference based on the award criteria, each delegate can ONLY vote once.
Team Awards Criteria
(Team awards include: Best Delegation, Outstanding Delegation, Special Recognition and Best Strategy)
Individual Awards Criteria
* The organiser reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the conference procedure when needed.
Model UNESCO Student Coordinator Training
Schedule
- Date: March 21 & 22
- Training Hours: 10 hours (5 hours per day)
Course Contents:
- The functions and core missions of the United Nations and UNESCO
- The operation methods and processes of Model UNESCO
- The key points of organizing Model United Nations and Model UNESCO student club activities
- How to draft background and resolutions for MUNESCO Conferences
- The the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and international development trends
- How the Model UNESCO event responds to UNESCO’s core mission and consider how to communicate this mission when organizing the event
- Strategies and skills for Model UNESCO Conferences
- Public Speaking
- Effective Communication and Negotiation
- Active Listening
- Comprehensive Problem Solving
Certification: Students will be awarded the certificate of completion upon completion of the bootcamp
Registration Fee
- HKD 1,200/student (face-to-face teaching)
- HKD 900/student (Hong Kong Association for UNESCO Member School)
- HKD 600/student (Zoom live session)
Past Conferences
Winning the Best Delegation at the First International Model of UNESCO
The world’s first International Model of UNESCO was held online from April 29 to 30, 2022. The delegation of Hong Kong SAR – Americana Chen and Reese Wong who are both UNESCO Hong Kong Association Green Citizen Youth Ambassadors received three awards including the Best Delegation, showcasing Hong Kong’s solutions for promoting inclusive, equitable and quality education through Education for Sustainable Development on international platforms.
