Many clubs will help develop skills and expertise, but Model UN is one of the most beneficial ones. Model UN is an extracurricular activity that was created to encourage high school students to learn more about current global issues around the world.
Sophomore Benton Chadwick mentions, “I thought that it would be fun and cool to model what the UN does, and I realized that it was really memorable and enjoyable.”
Students research their assigned country’s policies and work together to draft and pass resolutions. Additionally, the students stimulate the actual United Nations by role-playing as delegates from different countries.
Model UN teacher Mr. Eby says, “Model UN is a club to prepare to go to a conference at the University of Oregon in April. About twelve hundred students across the state create the entire United Nations with all the committees. They try to pass resolutions that their countries favor to solve problems based on real-world scenarios.”
The club helps students prepare for real-world situations by participating in public speaking and expanding their voice. It allows students to become more comfortable speaking in front of others and encourages them to improve their research skills.
Senior participant Vivian Ward states, “To prepare for my first conference, I studied my topic beforehand. I was representing Finland in the General Assembly 2 and speaking about the humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso.”
“Although I studied the topic a lot, I still did not necessarily feel prepared when I got there because Model UN is not something anyone can completely prepare for without having gone at least once before.”
As well as helping students grow their speaking, writing, and researching skills, Model UN is a fun experience for all. It allows young people to branch out and create new friends while hanging out with their existing friends. Also, it’s an engaging way to learn, develop skills, and socialize.
Mr. Eby adds, “There’s a bunch of fun activities, and it’s not just work. One of the administrators said, “Since ,COVID students have not had the skills to run a meetin,g so their clubs were suffering, so they were looking for students who could be able to provide that extra support and organization.”