Whitefish students attend Model UN Conference

While the United States urged Turkey and Russia to remain calm after Turkey shot down a Russian jet, an intrepid group of Whitefish High School students last month were occupied with the Syrian crisis and more at the 50th annual Model United Nations Conference at the University of Montana.

More than 450 students from Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming traveled to Missoula and represented countries from around the world to debate international issues and develop their skills in research, writing, public speaking and negotiation.

Whitefish earned a second place finish in the small delegation category.

“I really enjoyed meeting students from other schools that are interested in world affairs,” said Whitefish junior Makkie Haller. “I also appreciated how realistic the UN simulation felt. I learned a lot about how the United Nations works and how to compromise on issues.”

“Model UN was an awesome experience and it taught me a lot about the differences between countries,” Junior Sydney Archibald added. “It also gave me insight into why the world works the way it does.”

The conference began with opening ceremonies and a keynote address on “Global Cooperation in a Fragmenting World” by Joanna R. Shelton, a former Deputy Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and Deputy Assistance Secretary of State for Trade Policy. Students then met in their committees and attended guest lectures by University of Montana faculty. Students from each country joined others from nearby nations for presentations by University of Montana international students from the region.

The Whitefish High School team represented Turkey, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. Each student participated in one of five committees: General Assembly Plenary, General Assembly on Security Issues, General Assembly on Economic and Financial Issues, General Assembly on Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Issues, and the Security Council. Each committee worked two of the following topics: Peacebuilding, Deforestation, Biological Weapons, African Security and Cooperation, Migration, Development, Food Security and Prices, Water for Life, Trafficking Women and Children, North Korea, and Terrorism.