(Courtesy/Mr. Compton)
(Courtesy/Mr. Compton)
Academy hosted the annual Fall Model United Nations Conference on November 9, with students engaging in diplomacy, debate, and critical problem-solving. Addressed during the conference was the topic of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
In Model UN, students act as international diplomats attempting to solve various international matters. “We literally simulate the United Nations,” said club advisor, Mr. Compton. “We’ll typically have something such as an event over the weekend that involves something such as nuclear disarmament—how to get food to people who are caught up in a crisis. They get assigned to one of these countries that fit one of these roles that then research that country to understand how they would vote on each issue.”
Compton further said, “We want to see if we can come to some compromises and write a resolution, which would be the position of the U.N. on whatever this problem is—or maybe a way to solve it.” The head delegates of this year’s conference were Jayden T. and William W. who led with the team of student chairs that moderated the debate and assisted the delegates in processing the resolution.
The day progressed with delegates making opening statements to share their perspectives on the issue. Later on, blocs began to emerge. To me, there was a “pro”-modern-slavery bloc comprised of other delegates from various countries such as Indonesia, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia. (Note that this is all acting within the confines of the Model United Nations simulation.) A bloc was formed by other delegates to call for the end of modern slavery.
Then things got a little chaotic toward the end with Russia’s proposal to enslave all people after the war, which brought the whole group together in objection. It was surprisingly unifying. Though it got out of hand, that is more or less the kind of activity that Model UN holds dear.
Hours after the opening ceremonies and speeches, the conference ended with an awards ceremony. Congratulations to Andrew B. on his win for Best Position Paper and to Jiaqi L. on Best Delegate as China. Kaito McC. was recognized as Outstanding Delegate.
Compton said, “I think Model UN is a good thing to be involved in even if you can’t go to D.C.” There are local UN assemblies at Ohio State or nearby that people can get involved in if they want to.”
Although the club will still attend various conferences during the year, the most notable one is NAIMUN—North American Invitational Model United Nations—which occurs every February at Georgetown University in the District of Columbia. “3,500 students come from all over the world,” said Compton. “It has delegations from Italy, Britain, China, and Singapore—countries from all over the world.”
For many delegates, Sunday’s jumbled yet collaborative debate was a perfect preview of the energy and teamwork that define Model UN. When the gavel struck to end the debate sessions, we had managed to write resolutions and laugh and argue and gain insight on what diplomacy looks like—at least, the high-school version of it.
