Students who are part of Model UN attended the annual Model UN Connecticut World Affairs Council Conference on December 1 and 2 at the University of Hartford. They represented the countries of Russia, Croatia, and Estonia at the conference.

  “I hope that our delegates get to experience what it’s like to debate policy and shape legislation. Last year I found the experience fascinating and really fun, and I hope we can replicate that again for all of our delegates,” senior Dylan Suffredini said prior to the conference.

 Participants were placed in committees which mirror the committees seen at the United Nations. Each committee was given individualized topics that were discussed between the countries who were represented at the conference. The goal was to come up with voluntary resolutions that pass; however there was no penalty if they did not agree to the resolution.

  “Instead of bills like you have in congress, you have resolutions. We want the resolutions to pass (and) the countries to figure out a way to get along with each other,” social studies teacher and advisor Lance Goldberg said.

  Goldberg participated in Model UN when he was a student and understands its value as one of the oldest competitions in the country. He created the club at the high school when he began his job at the high school in 2004.

  “Model UN is a great opportunity for students to participate in a simulation of the real United Nations. Students are able to problem solve, network, put their collaboration skills to use, in trying to come up with authentic solutions to real world problems,” Goldberg said.

  Junior Greg Lagosz represented Estonia at the conference. His committee discussed the topic of border security.

  “Overall my Model UN experience was nice. It was really interesting to observe how different countries differed and agreed on policies. You can definitely see how geography of the country and their customs influence which ideas they support,” Lagosz said.