Students Channel Diplomacy During Model UN Day

Estherwood became the setting for resolutions, parliamentary procedures, and a global crisis Monday, April 1, as the entire 10th grade participated in the annual Model UN day. 
 
The day-long event, planned by the History and Religion Department and spearheaded by Skeffington Young, Chair of the History and Religion Department, is an opportunity for students to participate in and learn about diplomacy, international relations and the United Nations. Prior to Monday’s event, students participated in a planning day, where they learned about parliamentary procedures as well as the country they would each be representing. This is done, said Young, so that “When the day comes around, they are informed, they have an idea of what exactly it is going to be like, and what committee work is like.”
 
While the entire day is a valuable experience for students, Young pointed out the value of the set speech, which is a 30-second, argumentative speech for or against a resolution that each student must give. Each student has to give the speech, which is a valuable public-speaking opportunity. “There’s all kinds of skills that are built in to what we are doing,” Young noted, listing off public speaking, collaborating, and experiential learning, among others. “It’s filled with lots of practical skills that they really need.”
 
Over the course of the day, “You learn a lot about yourself,” Young explained. “Are you the kind of person who is going to be interested in doing the research leading up to it? Are you the type of person who really likes the dynamic of being with others to accomplish something?” 
 
The event has been taking place for more than 15 years, and Young shared that, for all students, regardless of whether or not they would participate in a similar event again, it is memorable for all of them. 

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