MaeleeSmith
For students interested in global issues and politics, Model United Nations hosts a conference that gives students the opportunity to roleplay as different countries and come up with creative solutions for issues affecting the world. 

   At Marian, the Model UN Club, moder   ated by Katy Salzman and Renee McGill, attends the Model UN conference in Chicago. They meet several times in the months leading up to the conference to prepare students for the trip. 

   “I used to work for the UN and have always wanted to moderate a club so that students can learn about the UN process and study more in-depth some of the world’s leading issues,” Salzman said. 

   Before attending the conference, students are assigned a country and committee. 

   Then, students are asked to research a few global issues that they will discuss during the conference with students from other schools who are in their committees.

   “They form ‘blocs’ with like-minded students and then draft resolutions that outline the problems and the solutions they propose. Once resolutions are drafted, selected students present them before the whole committee and they are voted on,” Salzman said. 

   The goal is to negotiate with other blocs and get your resolution passed. There are a few awards presented during the conference, but for most students, what matters most is their experience.

   Junior Nora Fitzpatrick attended the Model UN conference in Chicago for the second year in a row. 

   This year, she represented the country of Eritrea for the committee of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. 

   The topic her committee chose to discuss was the protection and preservation of heritage sites.

   “We discussed major issues and came up with a resolution that addressed tourism, education, natural disasters and funding,” Fitzpatrick said.

   The committee split up into two groups and came up with two different resolutions. In the end, both resolutions got passed. 

   “[Model UN] can be a great way to get out of your comfort zone and engage with others and practice thinking outside the box,” Fitzpatrick said. 

   Although Fitzpatrick is not interested in going into politics, she said she still enjoys being in Model UN.

   “My experience in Chicago was really great and I’m excited to go back next year,” Fitzpatrick said. 

   Sophomore Alexa Mullen joined Model UN because she plans on going into politics or law in the future. 

   “Model UN had a super welcoming atmosphere and seemed fun from the start. I was also excited to be able to speak in public and learn about my country,” Mullen said.

   Mullen represented the country of Benin and her committee discussed AI weapons.

   “Our resolution was called OAR, which stood for oversight, accountability and research. In the end, it got passed,” Mullen said. 

   According to Mullen, the whole experience in Chicago was great. 

   “I was able to meet tons of new people and collaborate with them, grow more confident speaking and working in a group of people and also bond with my friends and tour the city,” Mullen said. 

   At Marian, Model UN is open to applications in late August for any sophomores, juniors and seniors who want to join, even if they aren’t planning on going into politics. 

   “There are definitely schools that are ‘in it to win it’ (some of them even have Model UN classes!), but we think it’s better to go with the mindset of having fun, meeting new people, experiencing new things, and learning a lot in the process!” Salzman said. 

   Marian’s Model UN Club provides students with the chance to see how the UN works, while also allowing them to spend time with their friends in Chicago.