From across the entire globe, thousands of bright students come together in conferences to debate solutions on international problems at the Harvard Model UN conference. Twenty delegates from HHS gathered together on Thursday morning to make their way into Boston to stay at the Sheraton, which graciously hosted the conference. The trip ended on Sunday at noon, rather quick, but in that short period of time, the impact that the conference had on all of the delegates was quite noticeable. Students felt as though this specific Model UN conference had been not only educational and informative, but also it was also an enriching experience socially for students.
Hingham High School students specifically felt that this HMUN conference in particular was well balanced and unique. Charlotte Gregory, a sophomore at HHS, described how, “Model UN, especially regarding the HMUN conference, was such an amazing and honestly life changing experience. Not only have I emerged more educated on current events but also more confident in public speaking, better teamwork skills, and great appreciation for all of the amazing cultures of the world! It is such a great opportunity to make friends with international students and important connections with experienced delegates in the world of politics.”
This was Charlotte’s first time on the HMUN trip and already she felt her Model UN skills had greatly improved due to the conference, while she also enjoyed getting to know her fellow delegates. A second year attendee at the Harvard Model UN conference, Sally Egan, felt that, “Model UN is a super fulfilling experience. Meeting hundreds of people from a multitude of counties is different from anything I have ever been a part of. It is one of the best trips I have ever been on for school, and being able to participate and make new friends was so exciting!”
Overall, both students from HHS loved meeting international students and getting the chance to work with them while trying to solve serious global issues.
How the conferences are actually formatted can be difficult for first year students to understand, but the leaders of the conference, students from Harvard, make the process much easier on their delegates. The Chairs, who are the Harvard students that ran specific committees, were responsible for up to hundreds of students and still managed to connect with each of their delegates directly.
Regarding the entire conference, there were thirty-eight different committees, each representing an actual global committee that would focus on a worldwide issue. Delegates would have to prepare great amounts of research before arriving at the conference, but the more work that was put in previously allowed for an easier committee experience. This is because the committees are quite large and the expectations for the delegates can be quite demanding.
Delegates performed opening speeches that discussed what their country stands for, and then partook in moderates and unmoderated caucasus throughout the committee session. The goal was to draft and pass a resolution paper, a solution to the problem the students were focusing on solving, Most delegates found the experience rather overwhelming. After all, many of the delegates were fighting against each other for awards that were decided and given out by the Chairs.
Many of the international students expressed that they felt extra pressure in their committee because to them, it felt like they were representing their entire country. But, even though the environment could feel stress inducing, it was also thrilling. The action of arguing against a clashing bloc (another group of delegates) or passing the final draft of a resolution paper was an exciting experience for the majority of delegates.
Even though the conference challenges students, the rewards that come out of the ordeal are worth it. Not only do delegates get to have a taste of independence from their homes, whether they’re an hour away or seventeen, but students get the chance to handle their money and schedule on their own. The absence of the high school students’ regular schedule gives them a chance to experience what college could be like for them in the future. Living with roommates, shopping on their own, and treating their committees like classes by putting the same amount of effort into them. Learning how to be self-sufficient and handle their freedom is a key skill that students should begin to develop in High School, and HMUN allows students to prove that they can responsibly handle themselves.
The most important and beneficial piece of the Harvard Model UN conference for the delegates tended to be the friends they made within their committees. From nations across the world, these students gather in a room to discuss pressing issues that current global leaders face. After being with each other for hours in committee, grabbing bites to eat in between sessions, and celebrating the end of their sessions at a lively dance, the delegates naturally become quite close with each other.
The opportunity to meet people from all around the world at once is a rare experience, and the Harvard Model UN conference allows its delegates to do so and make once in a lifetime friendships. The delegates were able to get to know each other on a personal level, beyond just the work that the conference called for. The chance to understand a person who lives in an entirely different setting from you and to connect so deeply with one another is an opportunity the delegates will not take for granted.
Many of the delegates’ backgrounds and the environments that they grew up in greatly differ from one another, but each and every one of the delegates were united by a common goal of making a difference in the world.
In the modern world, the United Nations’ goal is to maintain international peace and security, and the globe struggles to do so in today’s society. What HMUN actively does is inspire the current generation to become future leaders who strive to fulfill the United Nations’ goal of making the world a peaceful place. These delegates are taught at HMUN to put any differences aside and learn to work together, to become more than just fellow delegates, but to become a close-knit, caring community.
They all share the same goal, the same hope– to see a world absent of inequality and violence and understand that the so-called impossible idea of bringing harmony and peace to the world can be done.
