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Photo credits: Julie Chaplain
The Model United Nations team at Fossil Ridge High School competed at the Vancouver National Conference from January 20 to January 23. The team had seven competing members in Vancouver, Canada representing Fossil. Each delegate, representing a different country, debated in nationally recognized crises in order to create resolutions favorable to their country. Members spent about 12 hours each day in council discussing and compromising in topics ranging from the ethics of mass surveillance, to shantytowns in Latin America, and over population.The conference featured Dr. Samantha Nutt as the keynote speaker, a medical doctor and a founder of the internationally renowned nonprofit, War Child.
VMUN was first started in 2001. It began as a small event with few delegations and has gradually grown to be a globally recognized conference with participants from all around the world. Stimulating the United Nations, VMUN had a total of 20 committees in session throughout the conference. Colin Kiser, a Fossil senior, stated, “Once you have all the preparation, it’s just debate and fighting for your representing country.” The team had been researching and investigating his or her country and topics three months in advance from the conference. Many teammates have expressed the difficulty in arguing for the country’s needs according to their policies, in lieu of their own ethics and values.
Indigo Corso, a junior participant of Fossil’s team, was recognized with the Outstanding Delegate award. “I’m really honored to be recognized at this conference. I am so proud of the team for challenging themselves to compete at such a high level. They should be recognized for their achievements as well even if they didn’t go home with an award.”
Fossil’s MUN team concluded that the national conference was more than simply a great experience. “The connections you make with your own team and others from all around the world is what adds to the high school experience,” claimed Sawyer Shireman, a first year participant. “ I’m looking forward to the next couple years in MUN.”
