High school students invited to mock United Nations conference

Vancouver Island high school students are invited to practice the art of international diplomacy at Malaspina University-College’s first Model United Nations conference.

"This year marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nations," said Malaspina student Doug Thurber. "In celebration of this milestone, Malaspina’s Global Studies program and Global Studies Students’ Association (GSSA) are co-hosting a Model UN conference for high school students at the Nanaimo campus February 19 to 21.

"The conference is a great opportunity for students in grades 11 and 12 to engage in a fun and challenging interactive forum similar to United Nations negotiations," he added. "Students can practise and enhance their skills in public speaking, debating, diplomacy and principled negotiation as they replicate international dialogue on pressing global issues."

Topics discussed and debated at the conference will include HIV and AIDS in Africa, women’s rights, child poverty and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Each conference participant will assume the role of "ambassador" for a particular country. They will research one of the global issues and bring forward their ideas and opinions to one of six simulated UN committees. In their capacity as UN diplomats, their job will be to persuade and negotiate with committee members to reach a UN resolution. "That's one of the main objectives of this mock diplomatic exercise," Thurber said. "However, participants will learn that reaching a resolution isn't always easy due to conflicting interests of member states."

Delegates will be expected to follow protocol, diplomatic language, dress code and rules for speaking, including how to address fellow delegates and how to break into informal groups to negotiate.

International Relations and Global Studies instructor Dr. Catherine Schittecatte said Malaspina's Model UN conference "provides a great opportunity for Vancouver Island high school students to experience and learn about international diplomacy and multilateral negotiations as they happen in the real world.

"It can be a tremendous growth experience for students," she said. "The knowledge gained will help students go beyond mainstream media and delve further into topics of global relevance. Many students today are very interested in world issues and this conference will increase their understanding even further."

Schittecatte added that the conference also gives high school students the opportunity to meet Malaspina faculty and students, gain insights into the Global Studies program and see what might be involved in a career related to international relations.

Teams from Chemainus Secondary and Malaspina International High School have already registered for the conference. Thurber encourages other high school teams (two to six students) to sign up before the early registration deadline of January 17. Space is limited to 120 students.

For registration information, visit the Global Studies program homepage at www.viu.ca/globalstudies/ and click on the Model United Nations link or call Thurber at (250) 619-7507.