Michael Garret '28
The next club to join our school's ever-expanding roster of extracurricular activities is the brand new Greenport Model UN. The new club, overseen by both the new Social Studies and Economics teacher, Mr. Finnerty, and front office administrator, Mrs. K, presents itself as more than just a roleplay of your favorite country, but as an opportunity for passionate students to discuss and debate the issues facing the world we’re inheriting.
Our first debate here in the Model UN is to be about Nuclear Weapons. To be more specific, should nations be allowed to keep their nuclear weapons, or is nuclear disarmament the best way forward? First, all the club members choose their nations for this topic and make placards with their country's name and flag, as shown.
Then, it’s time to research. Delegates (what the representatives from each nation are called) research their nation’s real-world stance on the issue, giving many chances to learn something new about how other parts of the world are affected by problems today. Informative, trusted sources are also given for the delegates to use, along with whatever they research on their own. Don’t worry, we understand how busy many students are; it is not your responsibility to do all your research alone.
Around half the time, our after-school club spends time researching and finding allies with similar views for the caucus; however, doing extra research on your own is always encouraged.
Once the time comes for the discussion, club members get a hands-on view of how the UN functions. As stated on the non-model, actual United Nations website, “Model UN simulations engage hundreds of thousands of students each year, helping them to learn more about the principles of the UN and how it functions.”
Learning how the UN functions, that being based on the ideals of respectful and civil debate, is a greatly positive impact of this club. In our current landscape, knowing how to formulate an argument and stay civil while debating is, in most cases, a lost art, so having an outlet for debate that encourages these values is one of the best reasons for this club.
So who should consider Model UN? Anyone with an interest in government, politics, or policymaking, or a hankering for debate, or wanting to hone their public speaking skills in a group that’s serious in their delegate chairs, but likes to chill and go with the flow outside them. If this sounds anything like you, we meet on Tuesdays.