Last week, students from Maine South and Maine West, under the guidance of teacher Megan Smith, participated in the Model United Nations University of Chicago annual conference. This international competition brings some of the best students from the United States and around the world to simulate the United Nations.
The competition’s purpose is to educate high-school students in the arts of debate, negotiation, and public speaking by providing a forum in which they can hone their skills. Students were introduced to the fascinating realities and complexities of international relations through the simulation of international organizations. Through these exercises, they increased their understanding of the United Nations’ potential in resolving international problems while demonstrating its limitations. In addition, they were challenged to find common ground and choose collaboration over competition with others from different backgrounds, geographies, and cultures.
