Model UN Club competes at Harvard
Model UN Club members pose for a photo before walking in the homecoming parade. The club allows students to learn about international relations and economics, while developing their public speaking skills. “Model UN is a great club and I think anyone who is interested in getting more involved at Walnut or knows that they want to go into humanities someday should definitely join it,” Maya Sampath, ‘25 said.
March 1, 2023
The Model UN Club went to Harvard University on Jan. 26 for a four-day conference in Boston. There were over six-thousand visitors from different parts of the world. Fifteen students from WHHS’ chapter attended, most of whom represented Albania.
“The experience was fun,” SENIOR Abigail Soares, President of Model UN said. “We represented countries and it was very interesting to meet people from all over the world because Harvard Model UN is an international conference.”
Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations where each member is a delegate from a country who speaks on behalf of the beliefs of that country to further pursue a goal. General Assembly and EcoFin are the two branches of Model UN. The General Assembly’s goal is to create one resolution for all of the countries. EcoFin is another part of Model UN that tries to solve problems like climate change.
“Model UN is a simulation of the real United Nations where we work together to collaborate and solve a problem,” Bryce Agyapong, ‘24 said. “It’s really about teamwork and coming together to form one cohesive solution while working with other people. You have to form a block and then you have to create working papers and resolutions and draft resolutions. So there’s a lot that goes into it.”
Many different awards can be won at a Model UN convention, ranging from best resolution awards, chair awards, distinguished delegates, Geoffrey Bruce awards, rookie awards, and secretariat awards. Students from WHHS won participation awards; Soares won an honorable mention.
“This year, everybody who went got more of a building experience,” Soares said. “I think collectively that everybody learned something new and I think that everybody did a really good job. They were all very impressive.”
Model UN allows students to cultivate their public speaking skills and increase their global affairs knowledge.
“I think it’s a really fun, engaging club, especially if you are interested in speaking or researching or just having fun,” Maya Sampath, ‘25 said. “I would [recommend] joining, especially if you’re interested in social justice topics in a different setting.”
