There are many real-word problems that need attention and solutions that we don’t have. Model UN is a club where each student acts as a delegate to represent a country or an individual, in order to solve an issue.
The club simulates what it would be like to work for the UN, while working to come together and write resolutions to solve proposed issues. The club members represented, for example, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Amnesty International, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, and more in their respective committees.
From Oct. 19-21, select Model UN members visited a conference held by Washington University, which brings students from all across the nation and world to compete.
At this conference, they worked to resolve the issues that were presented to the people or countries they represented.
Mak Barnes was assigned a crisis committee over the Russia and Ukraine war, but stayed neutral throughout the whole thing. She said that the position she was put in was more so focused on stopping the war rather than picking sides between the two.
“It’s really good for public speaking and learning to carry yourself and be a good person,” Barnes said.
However, there are many controversial topics that need opinions and attention. A good example would be the issue Emily Nguyen (11) was presented with, which covered whether or not women should be included in the draft.
Nguyen played the role of Dan Sullivan, a Republican senator from Alaska. Based on the position Nguyen was given, she had to find a solution that still aligned with the person she was playing. Nguyen’s solution consisted of letting and encouraging women to join the military, but not requiring them to enlist in selective services or be drafted to war.
All of the Model UN students make hard decisions based on who their role is, the budget of their problem, who they are allowed to work with, and what is best for their future.
“I think the best part about Model UN is meeting new people from all across the world,” Charles Giraud said.
Model UN brings new connections and learning strategies from across the world, bringing students together to strategize and experiment with making big decisions while connecting with other students all over the nation.
