In the Model U.N. competition, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from U.N. member states to debate current issues on the organization's vast agenda.
Student delegates prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the U.N.'s rules of procedures - all in the interest of mobilizing international cooperation to resolve problems that affect almost every country on Earth.
All in all, the event requires an intense amount of research and preparation, as each school must represent a specific country's views on international issues.
"This year, we represented France and Italy," said Ryan Carrillo, student. "We had to know those country's policies, write a paper on those country's opinions on international issues and really know their rules."
"Just like the UN," Carrillo continued, "we worked in committees and tried to solve world problems. For example, we talked about the nuclear crisis in North Korea and the problems in Sudan."
During the event, Carrillo was selected to speak to the mock U.N. General Assembly, addressing the direction the U.N. should take towards building peace in the Middle East from the point of view of a French diplomat.
"This is my favorite event in the entire year," Carrillo said. "It's my third that I've been to, and I just love it. It really teaches you how to research and prepare your views and debate in a diplomatic way."
Over 20 schools across the state participated in this event, with hundreds of students debating.
The Woods Cross debating team has participated in this event for over a decade, and has won every year since 1997.
sryther@davisclipper.com
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