Last week, Burgundy's Model United Nations (UN) team traveled to New York City to participate in a Model UN Conference at the UN Headquarters. The conference participants came from middle schools from around the world!

Our Burgundy Model UN team was made up of 14 seventh- and eighth-graders who applied to participate by writing a persuasive essay and interviewing with faculty and administrators. Team members for weeks prior to the conference then learned together how the international community acts on its concerns about topics such as peace initiatives, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. During their days in New York the team stepped into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues, making speeches, preparing draft resolutions, negotiating with allies and adversaries, and resolving conflicts in a terrific hands-on learning experience!

Each Model UN team represents a nation, simulating the UN General Assembly. Our school this year represented the Republic of Indonesia, and our delegates represented a number of committees such as The United Children's Fund, Human Right's Council, The United Nations Environmental Programme, United Nations Women, and more. Our students collaborated with other 'nations' (delegations) discussing topics such as Freedom of Religion and Belief, Rights of the Child, Climate Change, Economic Empowerment for Women, and others. 

On the Final Day, our very own Peter Devlin presented a resolution to a world issue that was voted upon and passed by the General Assembly of the delegates in the United Nations in New York City. 

In addition to learning how to facilitate international cooperation on vital real world international issues, students in Model UN learn the history, geography and culture of diverse nations, gaining a deep understanding of how various needs, goals and foreign policies shape and affect so many global issues. Students enhance their skills in public speaking, negotiation, problem solving, conflict resolution, research and communication, all while developing their sense of global citizenship.

Thanks to Middle School teacher Emily Jonas and Cara Will for coaching this team. Emily summed up the experience well by saying, "Our Burgundy students did a great job representing Indonesia. We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed making a contribution to peace initiatives with fellow students from 60 schools around the world."