MarthaEngel

For a few days in mid-February, Marian girls were no longer just students; they were delegates, change-makers and international leaders for the United Nations. 

Not the real United Nations, but instead, the Model UN. 

From Feb. 7-11, Marian students, accompanied by three chaperones, took on the Windy City. 

These students became part of the Model UN, hosted by the University of Chicago in downtown Chicago and known as MUNUC. 

Model UN required each delegate to prepare statements on the issues presented, and debates regarding these issues took place over four days, culminating in voting over resolutions drafted during sessions. 

In the nine committees students participated in, students discussed women’s healthcare, disarmament and international adoption, among other topics. 

These debates and discussions over real-world situations gave students a view into the workings of international politics. 

Junior Izzy Campie represented the country of Guyana in the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, and said, “The conference helped me build my collaboration skills and communication skills because I had to work with others in my committee and bloc.” 

During large-group debates, she had to “speak in front of a large group with no notes,” Campie said, which was an exciting challenge. 

Campie’s committee focused on restorative justice, and she “argued for a collaborative approach to reducing [injustices] by implementing programs for previously incarcerated individuals,” she said. 

This challenged her to find resolutions and commonalities with delegates representing other nations. 

These committee sessions are designed to look like real meetings in the UN, so they include speeches, debates and specific points and motions known as Political Procedure. 

And, of course, these meetings also include note-passing. 

These meetings often have a no-tech policy, so phones and laptops are banned. 

Passing notes is “a way to ask people questions, or tell someone that you’d like to work with them,” sophomore Reese Eggers said. 

Beyond this, “there’s not the time to ask questions, because we’re on a tight schedule, so it’s easier to communicate,” she said. “It’s busy.” 

Eggers was on the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, and she represented El Salvador and “focused on private military companies,” Eggers said. 

“During unmoderated caucus, we would go together and create blocs, and try to create a solution that would implement the different policies and regulations,” Eggers said. 

Inside and outside of committee, “it was really nice to be able to build on friendships I already had and make new friends,” Eggers said. 

“My favorite part was meeting people from all over the world and being in Chicago with my friends,” Campie said. 

The 22 Marian girls joined 1,500 students from schools across the US and the globe. 

Outside of committee meetings, students explored Chicago by going to Navy Pier, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Willis Tower. 

Juniors and seniors were also given the opportunity to go to Loyola Chicago for a college visit. 

These experiences gave students a welcomed break from debate. 

“I think I’ll probably do Model UN next year,” Eggers said. 

Students who are interested in participating in Model UN should join the club at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, where they will prepare speeches and participate in simulations, even if they are not able to go to Chicago. 

If you have any further questions talk to social studies teacher, Mrs. Katy Salzman or English teacher, Dr. Renee McGill.