By Kristine Hamlyn
On Feb. 23-24 more than 250 high school students will come
together at Memorial’s St. John’s campus to
debate world issues as part of the Model United Nations.
Coming from schools in St. John’s and surrounding
area, participating grade 10-12 students will assume the
role of delegates representing various countries, and work
as teams to effectively communicate their respective positions
and views.
“The Model UN is as close to an actual UN simulation
as we can get,” explained Lesley Herridge, Model UN
secretary-general and fourth-year student at Memorial. Ms.
Herridge, along with second-year students Matthew Gollop,
president of the Model UN Society and Katie Norman, under
secretary-general, form the Secretariat.
The six topics to be debated at this year’s Model
UN are, as in past years, issues of great interest and concern
in the present day. Ambassadors from each country will discuss
UN reform, drug trafficking and drug trade, infectious diseases
and outbreaks, debt for nature swaps, conventional weapons,
and take part in a session of the International Court of
Justice debating over a border dispute.
“Students are to take the resolutions written by the
Secretariat and do research to find out what is currently
happening in the world,” said Ms. Herridge. “Over
the course of the two-day event, delegates will then be
given the opportunity to speak on behalf of their country
in both the General Assembly, to be held in SN2109 as well
as in smaller classroom settings. At the final General Assembly,
changes, amendments and even the creation of new resolutions
will be reviewed one final time and put to a pass or fail
vote.”
The conclusion of the conference will bring the presentation
of the Dr. Gunthur Hartman Award to be given to the best
delegation at the final plenary General Assembly. It is
based on the students’ public speaking skills, knowledge
of their country in relation to the resolutions being discussed
and ability to work as a team. The award is in memory of
Dr. Hartman who passed away in 2000. Dr. Hartman started
the Model UN at Memorial 13 years ago.
“I encourage students to get involved with this,”
said Ms. Herridge. “It is truly beneficial to all
involved. You learn research, writing and speaking skills
in addition to learning about the United Nations and how
it functions.”
Ms. Herridge is a member of Memorial’s United Nations
Society. Formed by Memorial students, its purpose is to
bring awareness to the university and community about the
UN and how it operates. In addition to the Model UN, the
UN Society also participates in many other events including
celebrating United Nations Day and educating elementary
school children about the UN through the What Kind of World
Program. The UN Society always welcomes new members. Those
interested in learning more can visit their Web site at
www.ucs.mun.ca/~unsoc.
