At the beginning of December, students part of the Farmington High School (FHS) Model UN club traveled to the University of Hartford to participate in the Connecticut World Affairs Council (CTWAC) conference. Students representing countries collaborated and debated to find solutions to various world issues. Senator Chris Murphy visited to speak about why what they were doing was important.
Model UN, a program that has been around since 1946, simulates the United Nations, an international organization that encourages international peace and cooperation between countries. Before the conference begins, students are assigned a country and committee. Committees are related to various world issues and UN programs. Students then research the history of those issues and programs relating to their country, any actions their country has taken, and brainstorm their own solutions, putting it all together in a position paper.
At this CTWAC conference, the committees covered topics like food insecurity, child labor, water scarcity, plastic pollution, education after covid, the internet access gap, nuclear proliferation, international finance regulation, and more. Once the students, now delegates, are separated into their respective committees they start debating and working together to create resolutions to the issues presented.
Sophomore Mahima Kodakirthi explained, “It’s a really interesting experience that teaches me a lot about collaboration, problem solving, and thinking on my feet”.
Countries make allies, and can work together on joint resolutions. They can also sponsor other people’s resolutions.
Senator Chris Murphy also visited the conference to speak to students about the work he does in the senate. Murphy has served as a United States Senator for Connecticut since 2013, and was previously a member of the House of Representatives.
Murphy commented on Facebook and Instagram that, “It was great to meet these bright young people from across the state and share a little about how the debates they’re having in committee translate to the foreign policy work I do in the Senate”.
While at the conference, he also answered questions from students about his stance and policies on climate change, gun violence, and current world conflicts.
Kodakirthi said, “It was really informative to hear Senator Murphy speak, and I got to learn more about what goes on in congress, allowing me to become a better informed citizen”.
If you have any questions about how to get involved or would like to join Model UN, reach out to Mr. Goldberg.
