Public speaking skills, negotiation tactics, knowledge of other nations, having well educated political views, and knowing how to dress to impress, are five unique skills that members of the Model United Nations team must possess. The Model United Nations (MUN) club, at Liberty North is not only a club, but also a team.
“The Model United Nations team engages in an authentic simulation of the United Nations system by learning about the UN system, the skills of debate, compromise, conflict resolution and negotiation. Students prepare position papers, draft and revise resolutions, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflict, and navigate parliamentary procedure while trying to resolve the international problems that affect almost every country on earth,” MUN advisor Kurt Gates said.
The team travels to three or four conferences a year and practices every Monday evening. This time is spent researching and writing position papers. As it gets closer to a conference they discuss specific strategies for success and hold mock sessions. The next conference is February 7-10 at the University of Chicago’s Model UN Conference. It is one of the largest conferences in the country with over 2000 students from across the world.
“The upcoming goal for our team that we are really looking forward to is to win the most awards, like we did last year. This is a national conference, so it’s a big deal. Personally, my partner, Ryan Pruitt, and I are looking to win as many awards in our committee as possible. We are putting in hard work to be successful at this conference,” junior Austin Casel said.
Success at conferences is something that members of MUN team have become accustomed to.
“We are ranked in the top 30 of all Model United Nations teams in not only the nation, but North America. Everyone has a strong chance at winning awards and we often do. At local competitions, which usually have 10-15 other teams participating, we win about 60%-75% of all the awards,” Casel said.
Success isn’t everything for the members of the MUN team, they enjoy it for multiple reasons.
“My favorite aspect of Model UN is by far my team. Liberty Public Schools really has some great participants and I’ve lived spending the last three years with them. They’re a joy to work with at meetings and during conferences,” senior Melissa Stockwell said.