Next week 250 middle and high school students will gather at Marshall High School for the 10th annual My First Model United Nations Training Conference. The conference will run all day on Oct. 19, and will feature morning training sessions, afternoon model United Nations conference sessions, and lunch. For students who hold any interest in international relations, it is not to be missed, according to Marshall High School senior Samuel Carpenter. Carpenter is a member of Marshall’s Model UN Team, and is helping to organize the event.
The Marshall High School Model UN Club, and members of the University of Virginia’s International Relations Organization will host this year’s conference. Following the morning training, participants typically gather in conference in an effort to resolve a world crisis. Last year conference-goers focused on the issue of nuclear weapons in North Korea. This year Model UN students will consider how to solve the world food crisis. The event will strengthen students’ research, writing and speaking skills.
It’s not as simple as it may seem, according to Carpenter. Participants represent countries or individuals with widely varying views. Students must represent their countries accurately, regardless of how the country’s views may differ from their own. “You have to do a lot of research. You have to figure out what your country’s position is,” said Carpenter. “My favorite part about the whole thing is that in the end, you’re all trying to solve a problem.”
Participation in the conference is limited to 250. Individuals interested in participation should contact their school Model UN club, or contact Marshall High School Model UN Club faculty co-sponsor Ilsa Tinkelman at imtinkelman@fcps.edu.
—Lori Baker