Model UN Club Attends First Conference

Returning from their first Model United Nations Conference in Cambridge, Mass., the Model UN Club is full of inspiration and is already making plans for next year.

The club was excited to be a part of the conference and witness the dedication of the other students and faculty from around the world who contribute to the Model UN.

"It was really encouraging to see students passionate about this and willing to put in the hard work, it's just nice to know that there are people out there that care about international relations and care about these issues and that they are willing to commit to this," says Emma Shattuck, secretary for Model UN.

There was also an appreciation for conversation among peers who are just as committed to learning about and discussing foreign policy.

"You learn a lot," says Adam Norton, who was glad to have the opportunity to discuss the things he is passionate about with like-minded students.

Not only was the conversation inspiring, but the leadership as well.

"One of the best parts of this conference is that it was student lead. They were undergrads just like us, and they were dealing with issues just like us and yet they were helping to run this event of over 3,500 kids," says Casey Spear, treasurer for Model UN.

It wasn't all academics. According to the club, the students at the conference enjoyed some not-so appropriate humor involving notes attached to roses that were read in front of the committees to break up the work. Once the "work" day was over, many of the students showed they could let loose.

"They partied hard!" says Spear.

Now that the team has experienced a Model UN Conference for the first time, they have a better idea of what worked and what they need to focus on for their next conference.

Spear says, "I would do it differently. I would research different things then I did and I would've spoken [in the committees] more."

Reflecting back on their performance, Jiachuan "Jason" Zheng says the group "could've been more prepared." The rest of the group agrees, but remind themselves that they had only a short time leading up to the conference and they are a very new group.

Regardless of their inexperience and being up against much larger teams from more prestigious schools, the club did well in participating throughout the conference and staying true to San Marino, the country they represented. Na Zhan and Jon Kennedy were presenters of a Drafted Resolution which is the goal of each committee.

"This is the best team I have ever had for Model UN," says Zhan.

"I'm bummed I'm a senior," says Spear who would love to attend the conference again.

 The Model UN Club is making plans to create a larger team by combining clubs from other VSC schools. They are also heavily recruiting to replace the seniors will be leaving the club.

To hear more about the Model UN team's experience at the Model UN Conference, the team will be holding a presentation Thursday March 8 at 6p.m. in Rita Bole.