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Students debate international policy at model United Nations conference

Last week, on Monday through Wednesday, seven high schools and 130 of their students assembled at the Inn and Conference Center to take part in the 10th annual model United Nations (U.N.) conference. The Bergeron International Relations Club (IRC) organizes it every year.

    Each school was assigned a different country. The students would act as delegates for that country, and behave in that parliamentary procedure just as the actual delegates would. The result was a striking resemblance to events that happened in real life.

  Fahmina Zaman, social media relations for the IRC and UMass Lowell senior, explained the U.N. procedure. “Every Delegate can’t say ‘I’ and they must speak only through the chair,” said Zaman. “Each delegate declares either ‘present’ or ‘present and voting,” she said. “For each committee a speaking time limit is set, the debate is opened with a set agenda. Then, the chair will motion ‘Will anybody like to be added to the speaker list?’” said Zaman.

  After countries are added to the speaker list and the agenda is decided, the chair selects delegates to speak on their country’s behalf. “The goal for the committee is to write a resolution for countries to agree upon,” says Zaman.

  The procedure is long and arduous but these high school students knew it like it was written on the backs of their hands. Students on the Security Council demonstrated an exceptional knowledge of the Ukraine crisis and the annexation of Crimea into Russia.  One by one, delegates would speak on whether or not they would recognize the Crimean vote and express thoughts on Russia’s military aggression.  

  Students debated a wide range of current issues, as well as some hypothetical ones, for the “Future Security Council.”  Those topics dealt with worst-case scenarios such as the Al-Shabaab obtaining Uranium and smuggling it into Somalia, which later resulted in a hypothetical dirty bomb explosion.

  “Western presence in Somalia had escalated violence,” said the student delegate representing Iran. The student delegate representing the United States responded with “Military Intervention is necessary. We cannot look weak in the eyes of an extremist organization like the Al-Shabaab.”

  Later, a spokesman representing the Al-Shabaab was called into the committee for comment. The representative played by Corey Lanier, also the chair for EcoSoc got into character and referred to the Al-Shabaab as “freedom fighters.” The spokesman defended the people of Somalia and western presence. “The way of Allah is the way of the people,” he said.

  Awards were given out to students who showed tremendous commitment to their roles as delegates. “Best Delegate” and “Peoples Choice Award” were handed out to country delegates by the committee chairs and the “Best Delegation Awards” were delivered by Dr. Ahmed Abdelal, the provost of UMass Lowell. 

Abdelal also made a speech in the closing ceremonies.  North Andover High received his award for “Best Delegation.”

  The closing ceremonies ended with the passing of the title of Security General, because the current Security General Nicole Lynch will be graduating UMass Lowell this year. Emily Fristy will succeed her.

  Lynch, spoke of the importance of model U.N. during the closing ceremonies. “The Level of commitment by our delegates has been outstanding.  Perspective is such a crucial role.  Model U.N. teaches you perspective and makes you a better learner.”