Upper School Model U.N. 2018, Chicago

On January 31st, Shorecrest delegates flew to Chicago to participate in the 30th annual Model United Nations of the University of Chicago (MUNUC). The conference lasted four days and operated twenty-five different committees. These committees ranged from Disarmament and the African Union, to historical committees, such as, the 1960 Cuban Government.

 

Before the conference commenced on Thursday, Shorecrest delegates spent time at the Art Institute of Chicago. After a morning of culture, Shorecrest delegates worked with and competed with over two thousand delegates from high schools around the U.S., and from schools as far away as Brazil, China, Guatemala, Honduras, and the United Arab Emirates.

Attendees:

Will Martin ‘18, Mitchell Greene ‘18, Max Summer ‘18, Kyle Mullins ‘18, Elizabeth Hodgson ‘18, Ashton Reynolds ‘19, Karlei Kongsiri ‘19, Aidan Samuelson ‘19, Reagan Quilty ‘19, Benjamin Berner ‘19, Campbell Savage ‘19, Olivia Olson ‘19, Sophie Elwyn ‘19, Sarah Miller ‘19, Finn Dillow ‘19, Rhett Koehler ‘19, Will Hess ‘19, Hailey Schoenberger ‘19, Shannon Wright ‘20, Ryan Healy ‘20, Cecilia Garcia ‘20, Brenna Dukes ‘21 and Oliver Hess ‘21.

 

The following are quotes about MUNUC from Shorecrest delegates:

"I thoroughly enjoyed my MUN experience as a delegate to the International Atomic Energy Agency. I appreciated the chance to engage with other delegates about nuclear nonproliferation, especially considering the current real world relevance, while simultaneously sharing Slovenia's support for developing nuclear energy as a clean power source. My partner, Hailey S., and I were excited that the resolution our country signed and supported was passed." – Elizabeth H.

 

"It was incredibly interesting to see politics from an entirely different perspective while representing Mauritania in the African Union. Having a completely different standing in global politics really made me think about the roles of smaller countries in the international system." – Max S.

 

“My committee was a “crisis” committee: Cuban Government, 1960. It was a small group, about 20 delegates, each representing a significant person in Cuba at the time. I was the Secretary-General of the Cuban Confederation of Workers (the large, overarching labor union in Cuba), so I primarily concerned myself with protecting the independence of Cuban unions and their right to strike. I clashed with the government (which was moving closer to the Stalinist model of making unions arms of the state), eventually launched a succession movement, and got myself executed for treason. Overall, it was an eventful, exciting committee that was constantly shifting and changing. The chair was incredible and the other delegates were really engaged and passionate.” – Kyle M.

 

“The conference this year was undoubtedly one of the best yet; U Chicago really knows what they're doing. The meme-based warfare topic (No, really) was very well executed in my NATO committee. It says something when they can approach topics like the use of 'edgy' memes to support political leanings and actually create a really intriguing dialogue about it – even more so when they're able to have a sense of humor on the topic without derailing the entire committee. I recall, for example, a 'captured cyberterrorist' being lead into the committee, breaking free from his handcuffs, dabbing, and running out the door. This occurred in the same committee which ultimately passed a detailed, 2-page resolution on combating cyberterrorism using algorithms developed in a public-private partnership. It's a great experience all around, and the experiences I have at these conferences with the friends I make I will keep for a lifetime.” – Will M.

 

“Model United Nations was so much fun and very educational! I learned all about foreign policy and diplomacy as well as greatly improving my public speaking skills.” – Aidan S.

 

“It’s an amazing experience! You get to work with people from all over the world on topics that are real life issues and you get to see a perspective that you’d never see by just reading about it. I’ve been doing it since 6th grade and I can honestly say that I look forward to doing it every year. This year was special because I was in the European Council for Slovenia and it was such an awesome experience to talk with kids my age about topics that Americans don’t really pay attention to, and that’s special.” – Rhett K.

 

“I really enjoyed the conference because I like learning more about foreign policy and it was interesting to meet people from all over the U.S. at the conference. – Sarah M.

 

I really enjoyed the energy of Model U.N. I also liked getting to meet different types of people, and working with them to find a resolution for real world problems. – Brenna D.

More photos here: