Cardigan’s Model UN Club Tackles Critical Issues

The conference draws high school and middle school delegates from all over New England to delve into the world of international affairs, public speaking, and diplomatic skill. Sixteen Cardigan students attended the conference, more than half of whom were new to club and attending their first conference. 

Photos: Cardigan’s Model UN Club at PEAMUN

The delegates spent the day debating issues ranging from civil war in China, human trafficking, modern-day pirates, 9/11, and the two China problem of 1950. They joined committees, researched topics, and presented in front of fellow delegates. The experience is an opportunity to collaborate and unite with other students and to learn how to work towards a shared goal.

Newcomers to Cardigan’s Model UN Club did a fantastic job representing our school. Caswell “Gannon” Peters ’19 participated as a Soviet diplomat in the 1946 Paris Peace Accords committee. Chenglin “Tony” He ’19 took on the topic of the Chinese Civil War and presented to a committee of over 100 delegates. AJ Noel ’19, Sam Harris ’19, Gabe Brondel ’20, Ryan Chiang ’19, and club returner Gianluca Audia ’19 banded together in their committee to debate on the topic of human trafficking.

Returning members of the club took on roles in the crisis committees. Graydon Schweizer ’19 participated in the presidential cabinet of 9/11 and Donald Cahill ’19 participated in a specialized Illuminati committee. Birken Silitch ’19 took on the topic of illicit small arms trade in his committee. They both did a great job in thinking on their feet to deal with each new crisis situation that was given to the committee to handle. Mattie Grabmann ’19, Macsen Elkouh ’19, and Inaki Mendez Arranz ’20 had to write application essays to be able to join in the ad-hoc crisis committee where the topic was a surprise, calling on them to use quick thinking and diplomacy in order to handle the different crisis situations.

 
We are very proud of all our participants and grateful for the courage to participate in these amazing experiences integral in serving our school mission of preparing boys for responsible and meaningful lives in a global community. 

Many thanks to Cardigan’s Model UN Club advisors, Donna Fedele and Danielle Fedele, who contributed greatly to this article.