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Debates and Diplomacy at Model UN
Shawnigan’s success at the Vancouver Model United Nations conference last weekend is a testament to the efforts of the student leaders who have taken ownership of the program.
The School sent 18 students to the conference, the 25th annual session of VMUN. The largest high school student-organized Model UN conference in North America, it attracted 1,500 students this year, divided into 20 committees. Three Shawnigan students came away with awards. Aven T., representing China in the World Meteorological Organisation, and Alan A., representing France in the International Atomic Energy Agency, both received the highly sought-after gavels presented to the Best Delegate in each committee, while Angelina Z., representing Burundi in the Disarmament and International Security Committee, earned an Honourable Mention.
“My experience at the 25th iteration of the Vancouver Model United Nations conference was a whirlwind of debate, honing my speaking skills, and forming new friendships that I have no doubt will last far beyond my time in Model UN,” Alan stated. “Representing France in the International Atomic Energy Agency allowed me to better my public speaking and debate skills, while growing my knowledge on current affairs. Having been in Model UN for two years, it has been a fulfilling 360 and beyond that, has helped my writing and presenting skills in all other facets of Shawnigan.”
Although there are staff sponsors for MUN programs, the student organizers behind the conferences are responsible for choosing a secretariat and determining committees and topics for debate. Student organizers for VMUN represented more than 20 schools from across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and even Calgary, Alberta.
“Before they go to the conference, our students have to research the country they are representing – things like population, health status, trade, GDP – and the country’s stance on the topic,” explained Ms. Andrea Robertson, one of the teacher sponsors at Shawnigan. “They have to create a position paper, which is written before they go and submitted to the committee chair and considered as part of the criteria for the awards.”
Shawnigan attended two smaller conferences earlier this year, hosted by Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria and nearby Brentwood College School, and our students won awards at both of those as well.
MUN at Shawnigan is very much student run, Ms. Robertson said. Teacher sponsors offer support and guidance, but the students themselves run the biweekly meetings.
“The senior contingent is super enthusiastic,” she elaborated. “They are very involved in the MUN community. They are excited about the program at the School and give of their time freely. At the conferences, they are very much leaders.”
Although Angelina is in Grade 9, she is as enthusiastic as some of the seniors in MUN.
“Model UN is a journey you can choose to end or continue for as long as you’d like – and honestly, I never want mine to stop,” she said. “Attending VMUN was my first experience at a big conference, and it completely opened my eyes to new dimensions of public speaking, morning crises, and collaborating with strangers. I’ve never seen so many people packed into elevators at once, and at the same time that many people sharing the same passion for debate. I strongly recommend everyone to experience a major conference at least once in their life.”
Shawnigan’s MUN group will travel to at least one more conference this year, but exactly which one will be up to the students themselves. Next week, they will discuss the merits of two conferences, one of which is a qualifier for HarvardMUN Canada in May. Students will present pro proposals next week, then, appropriately, debate which conference they want to attend.
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
