Baldwin High School’s Model U.N. team is about to have their annual conference at Johnson County Community College. History teacher and sponsor Kathleen Sigvaldson explained the inner workings of Model U.N.

What is Model U.N.?

• “Model U.N. is a simulation of the United Nations which teams of high school students become delegates representing countries that have been assigned to them.”

How many countries are represented in Model U.N.?

• “It depends on how many schools participate in the Johnson County Community College Model U.N. conference. It has been as high as 100 countries and I would say that we probably average about 75.”

How many countries is Baldwin going to representing?

• “We have four countries: Thailand, Lebanon, Luxembourg and Belgium.”

What kind of issues are discussed in Model U.N.

• “Some of the issues that they are going to be discussing will be sustainability and development, prevention of armed conflict, accumulation of ammunition stockpiles of conventional weapons, the problem of chemical and biological weapons, entrepreneurship for development, and renewable resources.”

How many students are in Model U.N. this year?

• “This year we have 14 students participating.”

What are some benefits of participating in Model U.N.?

• “The benefits are that you get more of a global perspective and also it is an excellent opportunity for the students to learn about how nations interact to solve global problems, to promote human rights and reduce suffering around the world, it also helps students develop research, writing and public speaking skills. They also get to learn how, through diplomacy, to pass resolutions to solve the world’s problems and they get to meet students from all over the Kansas City area.”

Where is it held?

• “It is held at Johnson County Community College.”

What is your favorite part about it?

• “I would say the experience of students having to work with other delegates from other countries and trying to come up with a resolution and having to speak and discuss problems in such a way that you’re not out to win but you’re out to get as many people together.”

Did you ever participate in Model U.N.?

• “Yes, I did.”

What country were you?

• “I belonged to an Algerian delegation.”

What was that like?

• “It was very interesting. I had to do a lot of the research myself and that what usually happens and our team took second so I was really relieved. That’s why when I got the job here I looked immediately looked into if they still had Model U.N.”

Do colleges have it too?

• “Yes, many of the universities have a Model U.N. team and some of them are really really good. At Johnson County they try to be the top notch team and they go around the United State and they compete at these conferences.”

Where is the best one held at?

• “They say the best one is in New York City at the actual United Nations.”

What is the highest that Baldwin has placed in an event?

• “We have never placed. And that is because the bigger schools have actual classes for this. We have had some students received honorable mentions.”

Does Model U.N. have a security council?

• “Yes it does. It has 15 members just like in real life and Makayla Johnson is going to be our person on the security council and she will be representing Luxembourg.”

Do the students get to pick their own countries?

• “They do but I normally tell them to stick with smaller countries.”

When is Model U.N. this year?

• “It is going to be on April 8 and we are going to leave at about 7:30 a.m. and get back at 6:30 p.m.”