After months of work and preparation, Model UN students traveled to New York City in March to compete in the largest conference in the United States, with over 3,000 students from multiple countries around the world in attendance.
In a Model UN conference, each school or group is assigned a country to represent throughout the simulation. This year, the St. Pius X team was assigned Algeria. Students are then divided into committees that are focused on specific areas, such as financial and economic, disarmament and national security, and social, humanitarian, and cultural issues. These groups work together to write speeches, essays, and proposed solutions as if they are their assigned country’s leaders, allowing them to take on real-world issues with a diplomatic mindset.
“The goal is to address global issues that are ongoing in real life,” said club moderator Mr. Thomas. “But to work together, even countries who in real life might be adversarial to each other, to try to find common ground and pass what are called resolutions, to take action on certain issues, to correct whatever problems are going on.”
Students are given a background paper that contains information on the country’s stances on various political issues and are directed to act in alignment with that information. Paired with months of prior preparation, this guidance helps them create political unity among their committees.
“Students had to research Algeria. They had to write essays, essentially, to lay out their plan in terms of what their country has already done in regards to an issue, and what their country would like to do and would like to accomplish to work together with other countries,” explained Mr. Thomas, the Model UN moderator.
Thanks to all their preparation, the team was able to participate in over 20 committees and successfully pass multiple resolutions.
Although the trip involved a lot of hard work, the students found time to enjoy the city. They visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, walked through Central Park, and explored Chelsea Market. On the last day of the conference, there was even a dance where students could relax and have fun with their fellow delegates.
After such an amazing trip, the group was understandably reluctant to return home, and luckily, JetBlue Airlines didn’t seem to want them to either! Due to flight delays and extended time spent on the runway, many pilots reached the maximum number of hours they were allowed to work, forcing the group to scramble for hotel rooms and new flight plans. After two long days of coordinating travel, the Model UN team finally arrived home at 3 a.m. on Monday morning. Despite the chaos, students and faculty still look back on the experience with fond memories.
“To people thinking about joining Model UN: it is so much more fun than you think! It’s a very small and tight-knit group of people, and meeting new people at conferences is fun! If you’re afraid of the intimidating nature of being a model UN delegate, don’t be! My first conference was super beginner-friendly, and other people are always willing to help you out,” said senior Kiko Buenivida.
If you’re interested in global issues, teamwork, and travel, make sure to look out for the Model UN team next year. Whether you’re a seasoned debater or brand new to it all, there’s a place for you in this unique high school group. Don’t miss the chance to be part of one of the most rewarding experiences St. Pius has to offer!
