Cardigan's Model UN Club Debates in Boston

By Shaoheng “Thomas” He ’24, originally published in Verbatim, Cardigan’s student-run newspaper

For the CMS Model UN Club, January is full of anticipation. Under the leadership of Ms. Fedele and Mr. Vega, the team participated in the Boston University Academy Model United Nations, at the Boston University campus on January 28 and 29. Hundreds of delegates from across the country assumed the role of United Nations ambassadors, representing different countries and organizations. The club members debated controversial topics in world politics and economy, drafting directives and resolutions aiming to resolve the issues.

In addition to the General Assemblies like the Economics and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), and the World Health Organization (WHO), there were Crisis committees that focused on the Carnation Revolution of 1974 in Portugal, the Republic versus the Separatists from the franchise Star Wars, and the impending war between two cartoon "armies," one led by Phineas and Ferb and the other by their opposition. The delegates learned the importance of balancing national interests with the needs of the international community and were subject to the powers and limitations of international negotiation.

As a delegate for Canada, I participated in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a part of the General Assembly, which focused on mitigating worldwide poverty. I formed a bloc with my allies, and we proposed and improved resolutions until we could agree on a solution that we presented to the rest of the ECOSOC.

On the final day of the conference, the closing ceremony was held, awarding exceptional delegates and ideas. The MUN Club requires a united effort, and though only Jake Lim was recognized with an award, we were proud of our overall effort and hard work as a team. We were introduced to various techniques and approaches that we plan to utilize at our next conference at Dartmouth College in April.

Joonseong “Jake” Lim ’23 won the second-highest award honored at the conference: “Outstanding Delegate.” He earned this award for his representation of Lucio Lara in a Historical Crisis Committee, which was an interactive simulation of the 1974 Carnation Revolution of Portugal.