Feb. 26, 2016

University hosts 42nd model United Nations for high school students

Political Science Department’s annual event largest ever, drawing 500 students to debate real issues on UN agenda

Over the course of the two-day conference, students are pushed to understand the complexities of foreign policy, and each committee has a variety of subjects which challenge the students to understand current global issues, including topics from human rights to global health.

At the conference, students are pushed to understand the complexities of foreign policy.

Holly Fleming

On Feb. 20 and 21, the annual High School Model United Nations Conference (HSMUN), supported by the Department of Political Science and the Faculty of Arts, hosted over 500 high school students in Grades 10-12 from across southern Alberta in an intensive two-day simulation of global affairs.

Now in its 42nd year, HSMUN continues to be noted as the key local opportunity for students to develop their interest in international policy and co-operation. Students are encouraged to research the complexities of foreign policy, and each committee has a variety of subjects that challenge the students to understand global issues of the day, including topics from changes in fissile material technology, external debt sustainability, and Syrian refugees to the future of peacekeeping, and the rights of children.

Through the simulation, students also participate in formal and informal debate, and gain skills in research, resolution writing, diplomatic negotiation, and most importantly, co-operation and communication. Alumni of UC-HSMUN includes a large number of individuals who have gone on to impressive related careers such as Calgary’s mayor Naheed Nenshi (BComm’93) and Pierre Poilievre, former federal minister of employment and social development.

This year, HSMUN simulated six UN committees, Disarmament and International Security Committee; Economic and Financial Committee; Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee; High Commissioner for Refugees, North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and the United Nations Security Council.

The university's model UN for high school students is the longest-standing conference and opportunity in Alberta for high school students to gain hands on experience regarding international policy and cooperation.

The university's model UN for high school students is the longest-standing conference in Alberta.

Holly Fleming

An opportunity to understand how UN delegates work

“I really enjoyed my experience at UofC HSMUN," said Nicole Schmidt, a Grade 11 delegate who won a verbal commendation award for representing Costa Rica. "The conference was an amazing opportunity that allowed high school students the chance to voice their opinions on the problems presently facing our world and to work collaboratively with each other to reach concrete solutions. Over the weekend, I made many connections to other students from across Calgary and loved the chance to actually understand how real UN delegates work. I can’t wait to participate at HSMUN 2017!”

HSMUN 2016 was organized by political science faculty members Rob Huebert and James Keeley, and student Leah Schmidt (Women’s Studies and International Relations) with support from Bonnie Walters, Ella Wensel and a staff of almost 30 undergraduate and graduate students from across a variety of disciplines.

Davina Basse, a political science and international relations major who acted as Security Council Director for the event said having the chance to interact with exceptional high school students is always the best part of HSMUN.

"All of the staff can’t wait to see where the delegates take their skills that were developed over the course of the weekend.”

Author Leah Schmidt, the student under-secretary general at this year's conference, is a fifth-year international relations and women’s studies major.