LT hosts 10 schools for Model UN debates
February 6, 2012 9:56AM
Brian McDonagh of LT right, moderates the Security Council and discusses procedure with Jimmy McGrath at a Model UN conference Saturday. | Rob Hart-Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:08AM
Students from 10 Chicago and suburban high schools debated world problems Saturday at a Model United Nations conference in La Grange hosted by Lyons Township High School and St. Ignatius High School in Chicago.
More than 200 students were expected to participate from Francis W. Parker, Maine South, Marion Catholic, Nazareth Academy, Saint Patrick, Whitney Young, William Fremd, York, LT and St. Ignatius high schools.
LT is co-sponsoring the conference with St. Ignatius for the second year, but is hosting the event for the first time. More than 30 LT students as delegates and as many LT staff members took part in the conference.
The opening ceremonies began at 8 a.m. in the Reber Center, with committee sessions running for the remainder of the day. Students served on eight committees and discussed and debated a variety of topics. For example, members of the European Union talked about Europe’s currency crisis, the International Association of National Public Health Institutes Committee addressed ways to save humanity, and in an historical simulation, the U.S. Cabinet debated the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Model United Nations experience brings to life the problems facing the real world and allows participants to represent their assigned country’s position and work toward resolving issues of global importance.
Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly. A Model U.N. delegate is a student who assumes the role of an ambassador to the United Nations. While awards are given out for the best speakers of each committee, there are no points as in debate.
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