More than 40 members of the BH-BL High School Model United Nations (UN) club participated in the Capital Region Model UN conference on Dec. 6 at HVCC, where they competed against 200+ students from nine different school districts.
Students compiled research for their assigned country and prepared position papers in advance of the conference. At the conference, they heard a keynote address from Dr. Susanna Fessler of the University at Albany Center for International Education and Global Strategy, and attended three training workshops related to how Model UN works during the morning session. They spent the afternoon in committee speaking, debating, and drafting resolutions to address various global issues and concerns.
Congratulations to the eight BH-BL students who were honored with awards at the end of the conference–Charlie Gardner, Daniel Hoffmann, Lillian Knott, Lily Jahn, and Emily Silva were recognized for their position papers. And, Brady Scianna and Alizee Cluzell were named runners-up for best delegate of their respective committees. Additionally, Evelyn Hooper was named best delegate for her committee. Cluzell also served as rapporteur for her committee, which means she was selected to present her committee’s resolution to the entire conference body.
Moreover, four BH-BL students–Max Mackey, Caitlyn Rafferty, Carter St. Louis and Mia Weisman–served as committee co-chairs. They read and evaluated position papers written by the delegates in their committees and effectively led their committees through the entire committee process.
Model United Nations is an educational simulation centered around the activities of the United Nations with the goals of furthering understanding about the United Nations, educating students about international relations and world issues, and promoting peace and the work of the UN through cooperation and diplomacy.
BH-BL students in Model UN must do extensive preparation for each conference including background research on country and committee topics, writing a research-based position paper following Chicago-style formatting, and actively understand the rules and procedures of Harvard-style debate. They received instruction on–and practiced–skills like public speaking, research, debate, critical thinking, negotiation and collaboration, explains Model UN advisor Jeff Reynolds.